The Birth Order Debate

How do feel about the theory that birth position/ order in the family makes a difference in the personality attributes of a child? Many espouse these theories as definitely true.
I have read some about this and I have listened to individuals discuss the theories giving a convincing argument that would definitely contribute to making them facts.

So according to theory, parents put high expectations with many responsibilites on oldest children activating and developing leadership skills the child may already possess in those areas. Studies show that oldest siblings and only children often have cognitive and analytical interests. Later borns were often more creative and interested in outdoor activities. Middle chilren receive less attention and are often just stuck in the middle of things. Only children, of course, spend lots of time with older people.
So they are saying that birth order will accentuate traits children already have but not guarantee that they will have certain traits.
The theory seems reasonable but it does bring up lots of logic questions. Children born into families with lots of siblings would not have to socialize outside of the home for relationships with others. Children born into small families might have more of a tendency to do so. There are many variables that could affect the birth order theory which leave cause(s) to question it in my opinion.

So that brings me to my quandry. I am the oldest living child in a family of four children. I had an older sibling who died four hours after birth. I was an only child for six years. I have two siblings born after me at intervals of almost six years. Where does that leave me in all of this?

I would be willing to bet that my discussion of this makes no sense to anyone but me. I have always confused myself.