Kelsey O Neill's Sibling Rivalry

Rivalry is often associated in competition including sports, events, and mostly a trait that seems siblings are born with. The urge to be the best at something or to be noticed is commonly seen in children, especially the ones similar in age that always strive for attention. In this story, Wolff includes

On top of this, my parents always specifically looked up to me for being a leader in the house. The reason for this is, my parents knew very little English, and needed assistance with almost everything they would do. Also, I am the first child; the child that has to fall and learn from the mistakes without any older siblings advice or wisdom. Because of this, I make sure that once I learn the most efficient and effective ways of doing tasks, I then pass it down to my younger siblings. I make sure that they learn from my mistakes and accomplishments, while doing my best to lead them in the right direction to attain

In life people are often compare each other for relative success, and so often and conveniently siblings are compared to each other. We see this comparison in Christiana’s Henriquez’s novel, The Book of Unknown Americans with the characters of Enrique and Mayor. Between the two brothers, one has clearly accomplished more great feats in his parents’ eyes, him being Enrique. Throughout the book the accomplishment of Enrique is felt acts as a burden towards his younger brother, Mayor. Mayor, try as he might, is not his brother and this is seen through Mayor failures to meet the standards of Enrique presented in the book. There is a sibling rival between the brothers created by their father Rafael Toro. An advancement of knowledge on the subject of sibling rivals can help us to further understand the situation of the brothers, by examining the studies of some scholars on the effects older siblings have on the younger siblings. Rebecca Webber’s “Two Sibling, One Spotlight” focus on how the older sibling set the goals for the younger siblings. Zeng-yin Chen and Ruth X. Liu work “Comparing Adolescent Only Children with Those Who Have Siblings on Academic Related Outcomes and Psychosocial Adjustment” research allows for an insight of real life academics of only and children with siblings generalized results in an academic test; presenting a significant difference between the two. Jensen, Alexander C. and Susan M. McHale “What Makes Siblings Different? The development of Sibling Differences in Academic Achievements and Interest” argues that more academically successful older siblings generate higher expectation of parents to push the younger sibling to achieve similar academics goals. Though most of the data indicate that the older sibling usually outperforms the younger siblings – academically - I will argue, this sibling rivalry is not a negative but rather if anything is positive for the younger sibling.

One can say my relationship with my sister is umm... complicated; one minute we’re fine and the next we want to rip out each others eyeballs. But yet, so many other siblings are like that too, so my sister and I are nothing spectacularly out of the ordinary. In fact, one can say we have a healthy sibling relationship, because of this weird love-hate complex. One great example of an average sibling relationship comes from Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird, where Jem and Scout Finch have a very iconic sibling relationship. My relationship with my sister is extremely similar to Jem and Scout’s relationship.

Older siblings and parents are role models for young and developing minds. Role models are assumed

What is the joy of having a sibling? Is it that you always have someone to beat up on? Or is it you have someone to express all your feelings to, knowing they aren’t listening or understanding it? Siblings can sometimes be there for you, for anything that you may need. Siblings are supposed to get along, but there are a big handful that don’t. Many siblings fight over redundant things such as who gets the higher quality clothing items. This rivalry shows up in the short story, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst--and it does not have a very satisfying ending.The story is full of symbolism and it teaches us to cherish every little moment with our siblings and be grateful that we have them in our lives.

Anyway, I can now also see that the fights were really about my sisters ' desires to be individuals, to act in the world and be responsible for themselves. My parents had not grown up with role models for such independent young women. The conflict was inevitable and necessary; it was part of our family 's gradual movement into American culture.

The issue of sibling rivalry in families is one of the main topics within Bettelheim’s article.

My brother, sister, and I fight all the time, but sometimes we get along. Everyone fights with people. Just turns out that sibling fight a lot more. In the book The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis two African American brothers fight a ton. When Kenny and Byron fight or disagree it means they have differences. Even though it might not seem like it, they also have similarities.

However in some cases, several individuals consider their siblings as opponents or rival in getting the things that they want. Some think that their sibling hinders them from achieving their goals and prevent them from being fortunate. That is where sibling rivalry takes place. (Stein 2002)

When people say opposites attract, it doesn't always apply to everyone; the vast differences in siblings can lead to sibling rivalry. Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition, and fighting between siblings. In the story, Everyday Use by Alice Walker shows how Dee; a smart, rude narcissist and her sister Maggie; a quiet reserved girl are vastly different. Siblings who have many differences cause them to have competition towards each other. Throughout the story, Everyday Use there are many examples of the differences siblings can have and the result of their differences.

“Sibling relationships in particular are among the longest lasting and most influential relationships in an individual’s lifetime” (Shalash 288). Relationships with siblings definitely affects emotions. Emotions vary when it comes to siblings; they can range from anger and jealousy to joy and gratefulness. Siblings can go from calm and loving while spending time together to fighting physically or verbally within moments. With multiple siblings, favorites are often chosen by parents or siblings so the other siblings may feel like an outcast. When two families are combined different routines can cause great conflict. If a child faces conflicts continuously with their family it can make complications for their love life.

When I was younger my brothers and I would fight over the attention and gratitude of my parents. From reading the Stories of brothers in the Bible I have discovered that brothers have been fighting ever since the beginning of time. Through the stories of Cain and Abel, and Jacob and Esau I have determined that Brothers stories are one of childhood ignorance and desire to obtain everything. Once adolescence has turned to adulthood, brothers seem to reform there ways toward each other due to the realization that you don’t need to have everything to obtain happiness.

As a child, my brother Jean and I were not always very close, even though we are fairly close in age. As children, we went to school together and grew up learning the importance of family values, particularly the meaning of “sticking together.” Every day we walked to school together. Before we ventured off to elementary school, our mother would say, “Stick together, and Jean, listen to your big brother!” Even though I was only two years older than Jean, I knew I was responsible if anything bad were to happen to him under my watch. My brother and I were quite daring as children and did not always follow all the rules. Also, Jean was more stubborn than I and did not know when the time for play should stop. I will never forget that one frightful day when the lesson about the value of my family and sticking together changed my life.

Sibling rivalry is common all over the world and every parent have heard about at least one story of two siblings that never got along very well since they were kids. Sibling rivalry could be caused by various reasons, however not all siblings were rivals since they were kids. Rivalry between two or three siblings does not have to grow with them as they age, for instance rivalry could happen over night over an argument between two siblings no matter how old they are. Conflicts between siblings does not have to be based on their age, because the rivalry between the siblings could have existed since they were young kids and could have grown with them as they aged. Rivalry could sometimes mean hatred, jealousy or it could