This essay is going to focus on the controversial effects of siblings on children, and whether this is positive or negative, and also whether those who grow up in an only child family environment do better than those with siblings or if there is no significant effect of having one or more children and how successful they will be.
The relationship between siblings has not always been the main focus of research on child development only recently has it been taken such great interest into, psychologists predominantly search for evidence of the relationship between mother and child, this is known as the attachment theory created by John Bowlby (1969) who suggests that children seek closeness between their mother when threatened or under stress. This theory could even demonstrate the proximity between siblings as they impact each other psychologically and leave a connection between each other. Siblings could have a very beneficial impact on each other, if there is a strong and loving relationship between one and other then this may promote strategies for children to understand and regulate their emotions which could impact adolescence as these skills may prevent illnesses such as depression or anxiety (Buist, Deković, and Prinzie, 2013). Older siblings could be seen as a secure base for a younger sibling as they show a great amount of emotional importance for a new brother/sister, the first born monitors the way the new born is shown love by the mother very closely, to contrast
Though there are many negative sides to having a special needs sibling like, having to grow up faster, the possibilities of divorce, and assuming the dreams for the parents, there are many positives too, such as learning better communication skills, heightening compassion and patience, and sometimes tightening familial bonds (Laferriere lecture, 2015). All of these positive traits have much to do with the last two forms of relationships that typically developing siblings have with their special needs siblings. These skills are important to all youths, though they are rarely mentored to them, and as such the typically developing sibling in combination with their special needs sibling is the perfect combination to help to mentor these skills to their typically developing peers (Laferriere lecture, 2015). These positive traits can be found in fully intact family units as well as single parent family units and as such are key to forming a positive bond between siblings no matter the age. However, that being said, like any good behavior, it is important to foster these positive traits when the typically developing child is in its childhood years, that preschool and elementary age that when by the time they reach the hormonal ages of adolescents they
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.
If someone were to ever tell my younger self that I would one day be one of five siblings, I would have never believed them. Unquestionably, my siblings are an enormous part of who I am; aspiring me to become an intelligent and an affectionate human being. Life doesn't always hurl obstacles in your way, but when it does, it can turn out to be completely disparate and even fascinating from the original thought. At the ripe old age of eleven years old, I was expected to step up to the plate and take care of my new adopted siblings, David and Alysa. Countless responsibilities, circumstances, and a world of authority and gratitude have shaped me along the way due to that one event. Indeed, I am grateful that my parents went through with the adoption because even though I had an impact on my adopted siblings, they have propelled me to become an exceptional brother, son, friend, and student.
During the 1950s and 1960s, which is the time period of the novel, the average number of offsprings each couple had was larger than it is today. The 21st century siblings have less competition for parental affection, which creates a better bond between the siblings, and a more appealing look in front of peers and adults, instead of having an irritable disposition. The smaller probability of multiple siblings leads to adolescents that are capable of handling relationships with peers, since they weren’t treated with any injustice, that they’d think to embody on
Until recently, there has been little attention given to basic issues regarding siblings in out-of-home care (McCormick, 2010, p.198). There are many reasons as to why this should be important to child welfare researchers and policy makers. “Sibling relationships are an integral part of childhood and continued development and these sibling relationships can serve as a source of protection and healing throughout their journey in out of home care” (Cicirelli, 1995).
Not surprisingly, this meta-analysis reinforced previous findings of a general negative impact of a having a sibling with a chronic health condition. These findings were consistent with previous studies. The method of this meta-analysis gave greater insight regarding how siblings of chronically ill children cope with respect to internalization, externalization, and self-attributes.
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.
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.
Sibling rivalry is not the only issue that was triggered by birth order, child’s personality and his or her intelligence is also involved. Some researchers say that first-borns are smarter because they are pressured to set-up the boundary for the younger siblings. They are more enthusiastic in their education for them to be role models of their other siblings. As for the younger ones, life may be or may not be easy, depending on how they will view it. They may view it positively by keeping in mind that since their older sibling get through it, they also can. Otherwise,
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.
“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.
In the early stages of a child’s character development, the family is the first social group that the child has. The relationship that is fostered between the family and the child is important, because it is the role of the family that influences the child’s behavior. Although the child may be influenced by the father and siblings, these relationships are looked to second. The child realizes early that the family belongs to him. This leads to jealousy towards other siblings because he may strive to be significant, and establish a position of superiority. Once the child comes to trust the family, it no longer feels threatened. By fostering a good relationship with the family, the child develops trust which leads to the child developing
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
The family unit across the globe is valued by almost all cultures as the most important social structure in which humans form the tightest bonds. Now significant evidence to suggest that within the family structure the relationship and interaction between siblings is the most impactful relationship of a human’s lifetime. Researchers have only recently become interested in the unique relationship between siblings. Siblings have been found to advance one another’s social, emotional, and cognitive development (Mcguire and Shanahan, 2010). Researchers are now are posing the question, “Are our relationships with our siblings the most important of all?”