Large Families Foster Honesty and Sociability. The More Siblings They Have, the More Honest, Modest, and Sociable They Are. A New Psychological Study Highlights the Value of Large Families in Society.
Newsroom (30/01/2025 19:48, Gaudium Press) What has long been suggested by personal experience has now been confirmed by psychology: the presence of siblings, their number, and birth order all play a significant role in personality development.
A recent study by Canadian psychology professors Michael C. Ashton and Kibeom Lee explores this connection using the HEXACO model of personality structure, which they developed. The HEXACO model identifies six primary personality dimensions: Honesty-Modesty, Emotionality, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience.
This model differs from others, such as the Big Five, primarily by incorporating the Honesty-Modesty dimension, which emphasizes altruism and cooperative tendencies.
Children from Large Families Tend to Be More Honest and Modest
Analyzing over 700,000 data sets, the study found that adults from large families scored higher on the Honesty-Modesty and Agreeableness dimensions. Individuals from families with six or more children showed significantly higher scores in these traits compared to only children.
Interestingly, when religious influences were controlled, the effect was somewhat reduced, suggesting that religion may also play a role in shaping personality traits.
Within large families, middle and youngest siblings displayed slightly higher levels of honesty, modesty, and agreeableness than firstborns. However, only children and firstborns scored higher on the Openness to Experience dimension, which is associated with creativity, intellectual curiosity, and inventiveness.
Previous research has generally found little to no correlation between birth order and personality. However, Ashton and Lee argue that earlier studies lacked the detailed assessment tools provided by the HEXACO model and relied on smaller sample sizes.
Childhood Socialization Encourages Cooperation
The findings raise an important question: To what extent do childhood social interactions foster cooperative behavior?
The researchers suggest that growing up with multiple siblings requires frequent cooperation, forcing children to compromise and share rather than simply follow their personal preferences. This dynamic promotes cooperative tendencies, reinforcing both:
- A willingness to be honest and modest (Honesty-Modesty trait)
- A reduced tendency to react negatively to perceived injustices (Agreeableness trait)
Ashton and Lee also propose two additional explanations for their findings:
- Parents with cooperative and honest personalities may be more likely to have large families.
- Parents may be more inclined to have additional children if their firstborn exhibits honesty, modesty, and cooperation.
Large Families Benefit Society
The study aligns with the German Association of Large Families, which advocates for policies supporting families with multiple children.
According to Elisabeth Müller, president of the association, large families produce individuals with qualities that are indispensable in the workforce and society.
“Middle children—those who have both older and younger siblings—tend to be especially honest, modest, and cooperative. These exceptional traits make them central figures in their families and valuable contributors to society,” said Müller, a mother of six and a doctor of pharmacy.
She emphasized that growing up in a large family naturally fosters adaptability and social skills, as siblings must constantly interact, adjust to one another, and resolve conflicts.
“Large families are like mini-democracies, where children learn early on about compromise, participation, and responsibility. These skills prepare them to be role models within their families and in society as a whole.”
Müller argues that societies must recognize the value of large families, as their unique socialization process strengthens the social fabric and contributes to a more stable and cooperative workforce.
Supporting Families Through Policy and Society
Encouraging larger families requires a comprehensive approach that involves politics, society, the economy, and the media, Müller stated.
“To make having multiple children a more viable choice, we need stable jobs, flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave, and financial support through family allowances and tax benefits,” she explained.
Additionally, affordable housing plays a crucial role in helping families expand. However, Müller stressed that beyond financial incentives, societal attitudes toward family life must change.
Family Over Career? A Shift in Social Priorities
Beyond economic considerations, family must be recognized as a source of joy and fulfillment, Müller argued.
“We need a cultural shift that highlights how both career and family are possible, and that, in the long run, family life offers greater personal fulfillment than career success alone,” she said.
Her hope for the future is that society redefines the family as an attractive and meaningful life choice:
“Parents play a crucial role in shaping society. Those raising multiple children are the true ‘service providers’ of our nation, ensuring its continued growth and stability.”
Conclusion: Recognizing the Value of Large Families
This groundbreaking study reinforces what many families have long observed—that siblings play a crucial role in shaping character. Large families instill values of honesty, modesty, and cooperation, essential traits for both personal success and a thriving society.
Recognizing the societal benefits of large families should encourage supportive policies and a cultural shift toward valuing both career and family life.
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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