If they never stand up for themselves, or hold a position firmly, it’s possible that their partners will lose respect for them.Partners can also start taking advantage of the deference that’s a key characteristic of middle-borns.On the plus side, middle-borns - who are well used to allowing someone else to take charge - will tolerate a last-born’s need to be the centre of attention.Plus, middle-borns are likely to agree to any adventures first-borns have in mind, or to any proposals for unconventional ways of living In any relationship, however, the malleability of middle children may cause problems.Not only that, but the youngest in a family is usually more fun-loving than the eldest, who can do with having a bit more lightness in his/her life.Meanwhile, the last-born’s rebelliousness will delight many rule-abiding first-borns, who often vicariously enjoy their partner’s risk-taking behaviour.A middle-born and a first-born Middle-borns also make good partners for last-borns - in fact, the middle child can have a successful relationship with a partner in any birth position.Because of his/her long history of negotiating sibling conflict and making compromises for the sake of others, most people find him/her easy to get along with.

If you’re both highly competitive, conflict is very likely when both of you want to be in charge.

Here, in an intriguing extract, clinical psychologist Linda Blair reveals it’s not just your character that’s affected by birth order - but your career and relationships, too. You don’t know much about him yet - but there’s a powerful attraction and you’ve agreed to meet again.

If all goes well, you’ll start seeing each other regularly.

Which means that knowing your ­lover’s position in a family will definitely help predict how difficult or easy it will be to get along...

The maxim that ‘opposites attract’ makes a good starting-point, because first-borns often make a good match with a last-born.