Redefining the Middle Child Stereotype: Life From the Middle | Vivian Wang | TEDxValenciaHighSchool

Is it truly the worst thing to be in the middle? Or could being stuck in the center be a blessing in disguise? Our world has tainted the reputation of the middle, whether it be the middle seat of an airplane, the middle child, or even the middle finger. Society applauds individuals who maintain the highest social standings — such as company CEOs — but tends to overlook those who live life from the middle. In Vivian Wang’s TEDx talk titled “Redefining the middle child stereotype: living life from the middle”, she unpacks the realities and benefits of being a middle child, encourages individuals to live life from the middle, and argues for the importance of discussing family dynamics which shapes who we become in the future. Vivian Wang is a freshman at Stanford University and class of 2021 International Baccalaureate diploma graduate from Valencia High School. At Stanford, she plans on studying computer science, communications, Spanish, and Chinese and strives to bridge the gender gap in technology. In college, Vivian has been involved in The Stanford Daily, CS for Social Good, Stanford Women in Business, and the Taiwanese Cultural Society. Seven years ago, Vivian co-founded Linens N Love, a youth-powered nonprofit that collects gently-used hotel linens and repurposes them to shelters and charities in need. As a journalist by day and computer scientist by night, she views storytelling as a way to bring communities together and raise awareness of social issues. Vivian’s work has been recognized by PEOPLE Magazine, Forbes, The Kelly Clarkson Show, PBS, and more (website linked). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx