Sibling Relationships in the Family Context

Abstract

This chapter begins with a simple description of the family in terms of the three family subsystems described in the family therapy literature. Continuing from the previous chapter, it contends that sibling relationships are much more complex that they have perhaps been portrayed to be, arising within families which are themselves exceedingly complex social units, and considers the factors that make such relationships so complex (size, influences of other relationships, levels of influences). The chapter proceeds to consider the temporal dimension: how sibling relationships change over time.

We have to divide mother love with our brothers and sisters. Our parents can help us cope with the loss of our dream of absolute love. But they cannot make us believe that we haven’t lost it. (Judith Viorst, 1986, p. 96)