Hey, hide my SATs! There’s a new study that says first-borns—yours truly—are smarter than those that follow. Sorry, Sis. Of course, the findings don’t apply in my case and as far as my kids are concerned, I’ll be Solomon and not go there. They can post the truth if they want.
But the point here is that this study was done by social engineers; i.e., two economists with a private non-profit, the National Bureau of Economic Research. If you want a copy of the report—free to government types and journalists—it’s $5. Why not $19.95 in keeping with those late night cable infomercials?
Experts tell me the researchers are simply saying that parents relax with the second kid, that’s why the grades are generally not as good as the first-born’s. Of course, there are exceptions wide enough to drive a semi-tractor trailer through.
As a parent I’d say the key is raise children with good values and the smarts to be employed and happy. You don’t want a 4.0 kid who knocks over a 7-11.
Note to Mr. Economist. The child’s environment goes beyond who is first. Are the parents happy together? Do they have enough cash to make ends meet and to devote proper resources to their kids? Maybe these details are in the report, but I’m not going to fund research that attempts to engineer individual belief systems.
67Steffen.com 
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