Only Children Are Disadvantaged Compared To Children With Siblings
‘Only children’ are disadvantaged compared to children with siblings. Discuss.
Introduction
“I am an only child, I only have one sister” (Woody Allen). This statement is characteristic of the complex relationship between siblings. Dunn & Kendrick (1982) referred to emotions amongst siblings being both of love and hate (cited in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2011). It is commonly believed that the existence of sibling interactions creates a beneficial environment for a child’s emotional and mental early development. Are the only children at a disadvantage then? This question seems to be particularly important; especially the last few years where evidence shows that due to socioeconomic reasons, one-child families tend to increase (Chen & Liu, 2014). …show more content…
Evidence indicates that modeling process occurs in siblings’ identity formation in adolescence and early adulthood. Older siblings influence the identity formation of their younger sibling of the same sex (Wong, Branje, VanderVolk, Hawk & Meeus, 2010). Physical and relational aggression of older siblings predicts future physical and relational aggression of the younger siblings towards peers (Ostrov, Crick, & Stauffacher, 2006). The quality of siblings’ relationships is also related to children and adolescents emotional wellbeing. Evidence indicates that in early adolescence, the child who grows up with an aggressive sibling will probably develop anxiety, depression or aggression (Dunn et al., 1991, in Smith et al., 2011). Buist, Dekovic & Prinzie, (2012) found that warm sibling relationships resulted in less internalizing and externalizing problems but conflict relationships had the opposite effect. It is evident that problematic relationship with parents along with extensive conflicts among siblings in adolescence and early adulthood, leads to the development of antisocial behavior (Bank, Burraston, & Snyder, 2004). The effect of sibling relationship is very important and through modeling processes can be very influential. It may be possible though, that through the same mechanisms, singletons to be influenced by their closest friend. Will the modeling though be as strong as between siblings? Obviously, this is a complex subject, so, further research will shed more light to its multiple
Introduction
“I am an only child, I only have one sister” (Woody Allen). This statement is characteristic of the complex relationship between siblings. Dunn & Kendrick (1982) referred to emotions amongst siblings being both of love and hate (cited in Smith, Cowie & Blades, 2011). It is commonly believed that the existence of sibling interactions creates a beneficial environment for a child’s emotional and mental early development. Are the only children at a disadvantage then? This question seems to be particularly important; especially the last few years where evidence shows that due to socioeconomic reasons, one-child families tend to increase (Chen & Liu, 2014). …show more content…
Evidence indicates that modeling process occurs in siblings’ identity formation in adolescence and early adulthood. Older siblings influence the identity formation of their younger sibling of the same sex (Wong, Branje, VanderVolk, Hawk & Meeus, 2010). Physical and relational aggression of older siblings predicts future physical and relational aggression of the younger siblings towards peers (Ostrov, Crick, & Stauffacher, 2006). The quality of siblings’ relationships is also related to children and adolescents emotional wellbeing. Evidence indicates that in early adolescence, the child who grows up with an aggressive sibling will probably develop anxiety, depression or aggression (Dunn et al., 1991, in Smith et al., 2011). Buist, Dekovic & Prinzie, (2012) found that warm sibling relationships resulted in less internalizing and externalizing problems but conflict relationships had the opposite effect. It is evident that problematic relationship with parents along with extensive conflicts among siblings in adolescence and early adulthood, leads to the development of antisocial behavior (Bank, Burraston, & Snyder, 2004). The effect of sibling relationship is very important and through modeling processes can be very influential. It may be possible though, that through the same mechanisms, singletons to be influenced by their closest friend. Will the modeling though be as strong as between siblings? Obviously, this is a complex subject, so, further research will shed more light to its multiple