An underrated relationship that has often been neglected and underestimated for far too long is the relationship between siblings. (Apologies to all the only children.)
Dawn O. Bralthwalte from Psychology Today writes that siblings may be biological, adoptive, stepfamily, voluntary or chosen kin.
Either way, typically siblings are the longest relationship you will have.
From childhood, the awkward teen years, through adulthood and spanning across old age, your sibling(s) will be there.
Even though they exist during all those times, for some people their sibling(s) may not actually be present for them.
Occasionally, the ties that hold siblings together for their whole lives aren’t strong enough to withstand some relationships.
According to Robin Marantz Henig in her article about the ties that bind siblings together, siblings are a crucial part of a child’s development because they teach one another socialization skills.
“When psychologists study siblings, they usually study children,” Henig said, “emphasizing sibling rivalry and the fact that brothers and sisters refine their social maneuvering skills on one another.”
Henig expands on her thoughts and explains how “mild conflict between brothers and sisters teaches them how to interact with peers, co-workers and friends” for the rest of their lives.
In fact, an Oxford University study shows how two-thirds of people said a brother or sister was one of their best friends.
Clearly, the relationship between siblings has an impact.
Author Jane Mersky Leder feels that “whether we are close to our siblings or distant, they will remain our brothers and sisters for better or for worse.”
Additionally, Purdue University psychologist Victor Circirelli wrote in his book about how “the very presence of siblings in the household can be an education.”
“The older sibling gains in social skills in interacting with the younger,” Circirelli said. “The younger sibling gains cognitively by imitating the older.”
There are a whole lot of socialization skills that we benefit from because of growing up with (a) sibling(s).
One parenting blog, happinessishereblog, agrees with this notion.
“The family is where we first learn social skills. Where we test out our behaviours on people who love us unconditionally. Where we learn conflict resolution, sharing and compromise,” happinessishereblog said.
The blog further writes that “sibling relationships are somehow not valued enough” in today’s world.
This is not to say you and your sibling(s) have to be best friends throughout your entire lives, but it’s good to at least “like each other enough to help out in a pinch.”