First-born siblings engage in leadership and teaching roles, whereas second-born siblings
are more likely to imitate, follow and be a learner.14,42-44 During early childhood, siblings
can act as sources of support during caretaking situations when the mother is absent for a
short time5,45 and in middle childhood siblings may provide support during stressful
family experiences.46 The natural power differences that result from the age difference
between siblings mean that two children are likely to have different experiences in the
family. For instance, second-born children have the benefit of learning from an older
sibling, but first-borns do not, sometimes leading to precocious development for secondborns
in some areas.4