Leaders, drivers, responsible. In love, can be jealous, dependent and controlling.

Middles

Adaptable, social, easygoing. In love, capacity to compromise makes them good partners, but they sometimes neglect their own needs.

Youngests

Charmers, sociable, entertaining. In love, shirking responsibility could drive partner crazy.

Onlies

Quiet achievers, strategic thinkers. In love, have trouble with conflict.

Resources:

For more on birth order dynamics:

-www.birthorderplus.com/

-gettingtoknowyourself.com/birth-order-and-marriage.html

Perfect pairings?

Sorry! There aren’t any. But we asked birth-order expert Cliff Isaacson for his list of more, and less, desirable couplings.

Better

Seconds and onlies: Why? “The second-born really likes the emotional freedom of the only. The only likes the dependability of the second-born.”

Thirds and firsts: Why? “First-borns like the third-born’s natural capacity for expressing ideas. Commitment-fearful thirds feel safe with firsts, who tend to subdue feelings and thoughts.”

Two third-borns. Why? “This coupling is seldom seen in counseling. They don’t feel vulnerable with each other. They do a lot of laughing with each other. All couples who laugh with each other enjoy a better relationship.”

Tougher

Fourths and seconds: Why? “Fourth-borns are commitment-phobic and try to feel free by making the marriage difficult. Seconds also have commitment phobia, but resign themselves to it and endure it. These marriages tend to last a long time, up to 35 years. When the second gets a taste of freedom, usually through a crisis, there’s no way they want to go back. The fourth-born, when the breakup comes, didn’t know anything was wrong.”

Fourths and onlies: Why? “They don’t understand each other. Their thinking patterns are diametrically opposed. Conversation becomes a struggle.”

Two onlies: Why? “They may end up living in separate worlds together.”