Birth Order as a Variable of Probation Performance

Abstract

Research studies have indicated that first-born (including only children) and later-born individuals present different personality and behavior characteristics. First-borns tend to be more depend ent, seeking out others when under stress, while later-born indi viduals appear to be more independent and attempt to resolve conflict through their own means.

An application of this theory to the broad field of correction and specifically to probation has been largely overlooked. Proba tion, in its simplest terms, involves the guidance of an individual who has encountered conflict with the law and who has been placed by the court under the supervision of another person. Applying birth order theory to this process, we would expect that first-born and later-born probationers would exhibit differ ential responses to this treatment.

This paper sought to determine whether this result would be realized by studying 246 cases in eight county probation depart ments in New York State in which probation was terminated either by discharge or by violation. The study reports a signifi cant difference, finding that first-borns demonstrated a higher tendency to complete their probation, while later-borns were overrepresented among those who violated their probation.