Handbook of Social Development

Abstract

The study of sibling relationships is an underdeveloped and challenging arena in social and personality development. The dearth of research and theory about siblings is likely owed to traditional emphases on the parent-child relationship, in particular the mother-child dyad, and to the enormous diversity that characterizes sibling behavior. This diversity can create confusion among behavioral scientists who attempt to characterize siblings’ behavior along well-defined, conceptual themes. In part, this is because sibling relationships vary along a power-status continuum, which might be expected to influence both structural and qualitative aspects of sibling behavior. In addition, sibling relationships have frequently been described in terms of what are traditionally termed constellation variables, such as gender, family size, birth order, and birth spacing, each of which has played a role in discussions of sibling behaviors and influences (e.g., Wagner, Schubert, & Schubert, 1979; Zajonc & Markus, 1975). Finally, sibling relationships, especially in the early years, cannot be understood without consideration of the family contexts in which siblings develop. Handbook of Social DevelopmentHandbook of Social Development Look Inside Other actions Export citation About this Book Reprints and Permissions Add to Papers Share Share this content on Facebook Share this content on Twitter Share this content on LinkedIn