3 ms·

I see this in wrestling all the time. First off, the biggest influence would seem to be having a parent who is a coach or competed at a high level. I don't se

by LanceH 6y ago

I see this in wrestling all the time. First off, the biggest influence would seem to be having a parent who is a coach or competed at a high level. I don't see how this would change by birth order as all the kids are likely wrestling before they walk. For kids with parents new to the sport, I see a couple possible reasons. First and foremost I would say that having an bigger/stronger sibling to spar with benefits the younger child more than the other. I can also assure you that at least with wrestling, this happens throughout the day, anywhere in the house. Even for other sports, I can see this happening. Show up a bit early and pass the ball around, or warmup with techniques. The younger child will be be exposed to someone with slightly better technique on a regular basis. The other factor I see is that the parents just have a better idea of how it works. Which tournaments/camps/clubs to sign up for outside the regular scholastic season. Also, the younger sibling may just start earlier. You're already dragging them along to all the tournaments and clubs anyway, may as well sign them up, too. So they end up starting a couple years earlier.

diogenescynic 6y ago
You see it in skateboarding and music as well. Older sibling or parent is the gateway and having someone around with above average talent to train and learn from gives the younger sibling (the apprentice) a big head start on their competition.
conductr 6y ago
I think you mean actual wrestling. But I experienced growing up with informal wrestling (like at home on the bed during sleep overs). I was oldest by a decade so nearly a only child from this perspective. But my friends with older brothers would dominate. Even later, when there was a playground fight the kids with older brothers were most victorious. Around puberty I self selected out of all the physical stuff; sports and physical conflict. And I’m pretty athletic. I just went towards sports that were more solo oriented. My decade younger brothers, tough as nails. We still horseplay wrestled and all that. I’ve always attributed to Growing up with a teenage version of me during their younger years before I left home.

by LanceH 6y ago

diogenescynic 6y ago

You see it in skateboarding and music as well. Older sibling or parent is the gateway and having someone around with above average talent to train and learn from gives the younger sibling (the apprentice) a big head start on their competition.

conductr 6y ago

I think you mean actual wrestling. But I experienced growing up with informal wrestling (like at home on the bed during sleep overs). I was oldest by a decade so nearly a only child from this perspective. But my friends with older brothers would dominate. Even later, when there was a playground fight the kids with older brothers were most victorious. Around puberty I self selected out of all the physical stuff; sports and physical conflict. And I’m pretty athletic. I just went towards sports that were more solo oriented. My decade younger brothers, tough as nails. We still horseplay wrestled and all that. I’ve always attributed to Growing up with a teenage version of me during their younger years before I left home.