The Relationship between Birth Order and the Oral Language Development of Hong Kong Preschool Children: A study of 'guan' parenting style

Throughout the centuries there were scarce research studies on the relationship between children’s birth order and their oral language development. Birth order can be perceived as a genetic factor that affects children’s... [ view full abstract ]

Throughout the centuries there were scarce research studies on the relationship between children’s birth order and their oral language development. Birth order can be perceived as a genetic factor that affects children’s oral language development, and also represent differential treatment from parents (Jacobs & Moss, 1976; Pine, 1995). Thus, the current study aims to explore gaps between both variables and its correlates regarding parenting styles. A total of 200 three-year-old children participated in the oral language test and around 164 questionnaires were investigated. Different from previous findings, the oral language tests only showed that the second-born had a significantly higher oral language development than the only child. However, no correlation can be found between birth order and oral language development. Questionnaires indicated that Hong Kong parents besides ‘Govern’ and ‘Love’ adopt a ‘Guan’ parenting style on their children, and the degree of ‘guan’ were similar across different birth order. Weak positive correlation between ‘guan’ parenting style and oral language development was found and implied that with a higher degree of ‘guan’ will result in a higher oral language development. These findings suggested that the degree of ‘guan’ parenting style is not the sole factor that contribute to significantly higher oral language development in the second-born than the only child. It can be deduced that the second-born have been exposed to a variety of language settings or differential parenting practices within families which promote their oral language development. Although, the current study has its limitations, it remains one of the significant scarce discourse of the topic and it sheds lights on further investigations. Furthermore, interview with parents are suggested, results will also be disseminated.

Keywords: Birth order; Oral language development; 'guan' parenting style; second-born & only child