Literature Review : Sibling Relationships

Today in America, an estimated 80% of the population has at least one sibling. While it is true that no two families are identical, the relationship between siblings plays a central role in their development and growth. Younger siblings for example, might be prone to mimic the actions of their older siblings, viewing their older siblings as faultless and heroic figures. On the other hand, older siblings are often viewed as authority figures and are seldom questioned. They might develop as friends with an inseparable bond or as bitter rivals seeking supremacy over the others. Regardless of the nature of their relationship, siblings that share a household are forced to interact with each other more than any other friend or family member. 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.

The instinct for justice to be served and the idea of revenge to be sought has existed upon us to be a natural part of human nature for many years. Hamlet by William Shakespeare and Disney’s 1994 film “The Lion King” directed by Roger Allers share many parallels between the relationship of brothers, resulting for the seek of revenge and restored order to compare. Green with envy, Scar and Claudius result to murder to achieve victory in gaining power over the thrown. The comparison between Claudius and Cain are evident to portray revenge upon their brothers and later to be exiled With both king deaths, Mufasa and King Hamlet bring meaning and actions to lend hand in the motive to their sons to restore what is right.

Few relationships are as special as the bond between sisters. Siblings know us greater than even we know ourselves sometimes; it’s through this insight, their insight, that we can see ourselves better and grow into who we aspire to be. My relationship with my sister is no exception; she’s my best friend. She’s a part of why I am who I am today, and it all started with a name.

There are many influences on children's development by their family such as birth of siblings and the child's interactions with the sibling such as learning how to win, lose, love and even fight and the influences that their sibling has over them. Sometimes there may be a lot of jealousy and rivalry between them.

Many factors can affect the effectiveness of relational maintenance within sibling relationships, such as effort to maintain relationships, age of siblings, and how related they are among other things. In romantic relationships, individuals may experience a higher level of satisfaction within a relationship if their partners’ use of relational maintenance tactics compares favorably to their own (Dainton, 2000). It is possible for this to also be the case for adult sibling relationships since these would be life-long relationships that one would be born into instead of relationships one would form by choice and at any point of their lives. However, those involved in romantic relationships may not experience a greater level of relational satisfaction from relational maintenance the longer there are involved in a relationship. Whether or not this is also the case for adult siblings is an interesting question as there are a variety of factors that can positively or negatively affect their relationships over the course of time. These would include involvement with each other’s families, geographic distance, and continued involvement with parents among other factors. The current amount of relational satisfaction between adult siblings can be compared to that of when they were children; and can also be compared between adult siblings at different stages of their adult life.

Socialization happens to be important throughout child development. Children need peers they can express themselves with physically and emotionally. Siblings are the greatest companion to have since they share a lot of similarities amongst each other. The relationship between African American siblings and their single parent can be reflective as a team effort.

As regards to sibling relationship, Kastenbaum (1993) described it as the relation of two or more individuals with the same biological parents. That relation also includes how these individuals act together concerning their awareness, insights, thoughts and feelings regarding each other.

Having siblings can be both a good thing and bad thing. In “Seven Ways Your Siblings May Have Shaped You” By Lindsay Lyon the article was about different situations that I or anyone of us may have experienced when having a sibling in life. “How Our Siblings Shape Us” by Naomi Schaefer Riley is about both the good and bad things about having a sibling and what I or you might or may have experienced. Whether you have an older sibling or a younger sibling, scientific facts, as well as personal experience, show that having a sibling can strongly affect you in the long run. Some of the things that can or may strongly affect me, you and your siblings are success, relationships, and rivalries.

Cicerelli, V. (1991) Sibling relationships in middle and old age. In G.H. Brody (Ed) Sibling relationships: Their causes and consequences, 47-73. Norwood, N.J: Ablex.

Erma must have been an uncaring, bad mother to Rex which caused him to leave Welch. Also, Erma helps uncover the theme of siblings and family dynamics. Throughout the memoir, the Walls children stand up and protect one another, but when Erma makes a move on Brian while “mending” his pants, it is then when we see Lori truly stand up for Brian, and the goodwill of her sister, too. Jeannette catches Erma and screams for her to stop, which causes Erma to almost slap her. Luckily, Lori catches Erma’s hand before impact, but Erma removes her hand and Lori basically takes the slap for Jeannette. Lori, infuriated by Erma, throws a blow to her jaw that isn’t just pure rage, but a bubbling anger she feels for the mistreatment of not only Brian, but all

According to the article “7 Ways Your Siblings May Have Shaped You” written by Lindsay Lyon, siblings: buffer stress, provide good practice, help raise our vulnerability to mental-health issues, raise the chance of bad behavior, inspire us to be different, increase romantic jealousy, and impact a person’s love life. Siblings play a vital role in the way a person will act and carry themself in their day to day life. 80% of children today grow up with a brother, sister, or both. Something that is interesting to me is that children are more likely to grow up with a sibling than to grow up with a father.

“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.

If you have siblings you will have to share everything, so you get less; but you also get less of the bad things. Siblings can support and comfort each in times of trouble. The elder siblings learn to care for the younger ones and the younger ones learn to respect their elder siblings and have someone to look up to besides their parents. You are more balanced person than an only child.

It is important to study the influence of siblings on one another because they act as the socializing agents in the life of every individual especially during the early childhood and adolescence. Siblings are seen to provide support throughout the lives especially in the difficult circumstances of the family. However, conflict between siblings is also seen to exist in several families which might be attributed to the adjustment difficulties or inappropriate behaviors of individuals in later life. Since the relations at home influence the relations in the outside world, the article titled as 'The Role of Sibling Relationships in the Development of Social Abilities' by Schneyer (2007) is the focus of this paper. This is