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The Secret Power of Middle Children: How Middleborns Can Harness Their Unexpected and Remarkable Abilities
Middle children are underachievers, overshadowed and overlooked, right? Wrong.
Combining research in evolutionary biology, psychology and sociology with real-life stories, psychologist Catherine Salmon, Ph.D., and journalist Katrin Schumann reveal what it really means to grow up in between, including how:
• Middles receive less financial and emotional support from their pare...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 31st 2012
by Plume
(first published August 4th 2011)
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This book examines how the experiences of middle children during their formative years may serve as excellent preparation for certain situations in adult life. Many of the assertions will not come as a surprise, but it is useful to read about them all together in one book. At times, the chapters felt like they were rehashing points already made, but it wasn't enough repetition to turn me off of reading the book all the way through.
The author backs up some claims with studies, and others with ane...more
The author backs up some claims with studies, and others with ane...more
What an interesting book. I've only read a little about birth order studies in the past and this book basically summarizes those studies and adds some new information in an easy to read format. I'm a middle child and I can honestly say this book pretty much describes me to a tee. Unfortunately, none of the secret powers are superpowers. I was so hoping I could read people's minds or something. But seriously, there is some great information about how birth order affects an individual's upbringing...more
1 like · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Apr 21, 2012
Jackie Paulson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
done-reading-in-2012
Title of Book: The Secret Power of Middle Children by Catherine Salmon PHD and Katrin Schaumann
It is important that you know who you are as a Middle Child. Here are the Contents of this wonderful book that focus’ on Middle Children:
1. The myth of middle child
2. How do you know if you are a middle child
3. Middle Children are brilliant negotiators
4. Middle children are Trailblazers
5. Middle children are Justice Seekers
6. Middle Children in the workplace
7. Middle Children as friends and lovers
8. Pa...more
It is important that you know who you are as a Middle Child. Here are the Contents of this wonderful book that focus’ on Middle Children:
1. The myth of middle child
2. How do you know if you are a middle child
3. Middle Children are brilliant negotiators
4. Middle children are Trailblazers
5. Middle children are Justice Seekers
6. Middle Children in the workplace
7. Middle Children as friends and lovers
8. Pa...more
Dec 08, 2011
Elizabeth (Soluna)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-reads,
non-fiction
A fascinating collection of research and anecdotes delving into the oft-neglected and misunderstood world of the middle-child. A lot of birth-order researchers have previously focused on first and last-born, so this researcher, Catherine Salmon, felt compelled to investigate and write about the middle child.
At times, it felt the author was manipulating her display of statistics in order to prove her point, rather than the other way around. She frequently cites stats like "52 percent of US Presi...more
At times, it felt the author was manipulating her display of statistics in order to prove her point, rather than the other way around. She frequently cites stats like "52 percent of US Presi...more
My interest in birth order developed because I kept noticing similarities between people that were of the same birth order. I am a middle born (2 older and 2 younger sisters) so my curiosity was spiked when I found this book. The author convinced me birth order has influence over your entire life from interaction with siblings and parents, handling of intimate relationships, to parenting. The real life examples of very famous middle borns like Abraham Lincoln added impact and understanding.
I not...more
I not...more
Very interesting. I love wearing the badge of having "middle child syndrome" when it can get me some sympathy from my parents (jazz joking) but I found some of the insights in here quite true and empowering. Her comments on how the world might be affected by the lack of middle children was also rather interesting. A great read if you have a middle child, are married to a middle child, or if you are a middle child.
some interesting family dynamic studies. i'd very much like to have Salmon and Susan Cain, the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking collaborate. Would be very curious about the likelihood of middles being introverts. middles are definitely outer directed, but i know some very quiet (not shy) middles.
Jan 30, 2012
Angela
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
100-s-psychology,
649-parenting
This is groundbreaking work noting the special skills middle children acquire as peacemakers, negotiators and people who are willing and able to quickly adapt in social situations. Middle children have long needed a platform, and have found that through performance, whether musically, through acting or on the speech circuit.
I couldn't finish this book. To put a lot of emphasis on birth order seems silly after you read the six factors, with multiple sub-factors, that can affect birth order. Maybe this book would be helpful to parents while raising their children, but I just couldn't stick with the book.
Heard an interview with the authors on NPR, where middles called in to share. This book is quite interesting. My husband is a middle, we have two middle children, and I can definitely see how each of them fit the middle personality.
Loved it. Lots of good insights on birth order and personality traits. Some of it was applicable to my experiences, some of it missed the mark, but overall it was a good read.
Very interesting book on the dynamics of family and birth order. Provided both research findings, implications of these findings, and recommendations for addressing and utilizing the strengths and weaknesses of middle children.
Interesting but not as informative as I had hoped
This book was really interesting! I don't always self-identify myself as a middle child. Even though I'm the 2nd of 7, I am the oldest girl and so I often classify myself as an oldest child along with my brother. But, I found this book really insightful. I feel like I do have a better understanding of my personality: both strengths and weaknesses after reading it. If you're a middle child or are involved with a middle child in some way (spouse, children, friend, etc), I think you'd find it insig...more
Explains middle-borns unique abilities. Cool!
I have found the book for me!
* I received this book free through a goodreads giveaway*
This was an interesting read. I have 3 children and my middle child is definitley a treat! I got a new insight on how to handle her!
This was an interesting read. I have 3 children and my middle child is definitley a treat! I got a new insight on how to handle her!
Mostly skimmed it. Was good but a little too scientific repetitive for me.
Really good insite into the psychology of birth orders and why certain people have distinct characteristics.
Mar 26, 2013
Lucy Briggs
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lucy by:
Cat Briggs
Shelves:
non-fiction,
self-help
Cat recommends because of NPR story. Note for middles, a bit of parental neglect isn't always a bad thing.
Fascinating! A wonderful understanding of what makes Middles
tick...
tick...
What can I say, I'm awesome.
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