19.4.1: Siblings and Only-Children
- Page ID
- 248099
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- Differentiate between shared and nonshared environmental influences within families.
- Summarize how birth order may affect children's behavior and family roles.
- Explain the impact of differential parental treatment on sibling relationships and self-esteem.
- Identify common developmental characteristics of only children.
Siblings play an important role in middle childhood development. For many children, siblings are companions, rivals, teachers, and sources of emotional support. However, the experience of having siblings can vary widely, and not all sibling relationships are positive.
Siblings often play an essential role in middle childhood development. For many children, siblings are companions, rivals, teachers, and sources of emotional support. However, the experience of having siblings can vary widely, and not all sibling relationships are positive or supportive.
Siblings and the Environment
The family environment is commonly described in terms of shared and nonshared experiences. Shared environments include experiences that siblings living in the same household typically have in common, such as parental values, socioeconomic status, or neighborhood conditions. Nonshared environments involve unique experiences that differentiate siblings, such as distinct friendships, separate teachers, or variations in how parents interact with each child (Plomin & Daniels, 1987).
Research suggests that nonshared environmental factors account for a significant portion of the variability in children's development, even among siblings. While siblings may share the same home environment, their individual experiences within the family often differ in meaningful ways.
Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\). A younger sister holding on to her older brother's arm. Image is in the public domain.
Birth Order
Birth order is one factor contributing to nonshared environmental influences. Studies suggest that firstborn children may be more likely to assume leadership roles, exhibit higher achievement motivation, and align more closely with parental expectations (Sulloway, 1996). Later-born children are sometimes described as more socially outgoing, rebellious, or adaptable, which may reflect their different roles within the family system.
Although these trends have been widely discussed, the effects of birth order are generally modest. They can be influenced by other factors such as family size, cultural expectations, and individual temperament.
Differential Parental Treatment
Parents may treat siblings differently based on characteristics such as age, gender, temperament, or interests. This differential parental treatment can impact children's self-esteem, sibling relationships, and perceptions of fairness within the family (Feinberg & Hetherington, 2000).
Children who perceive themselves as less favored by their parents may experience more conflict with their parents and siblings, which can impact their emotional and behavioral adjustment. However, when differences in treatment are deemed appropriate for the situation, such as granting age-appropriate privileges, the negative effects may be mitigated.
Only Children
Children raised without siblings, often referred to as only children, also have distinctive developmental experiences. Only children often interact more with adults and may receive greater individualized attention. They may have fewer daily opportunities for sibling-like conflict and collaboration at home.
Research has challenged the stereotype that only children are spoiled or socially disadvantaged. Studies indicate that only children typically perform as well as, or better than, peers with siblings on measures of academic achievement, social adjustment, and self-esteem (Falbo & Polit, 1986). They often develop closer relationships with their parents, although they may experience greater pressure to meet high parental expectations.
Whether growing up with siblings or as an only child, the quality of family relationships and the broader social environment play critical roles in shaping children's emotional and social development.
References, Contributors and Attributions
Falbo, T., & Polit, D. F. (1986). Quantitative review of the only child literature: Research evidence and theory development. Psychological Bulletin, 100(2), 176–189. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.100.2.176
Feinberg, M. E., & Hetherington, E. M. (2000). Sibling differentiation in adolescence: Implications for behavioral genetic theory. Child Development, 71(6), 1512–1524. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00237
Plomin, R., & Daniels, D. (1987). Why are children in the same family so different from one another? Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 10(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X00056272
Sulloway, F. J. (1996). Born to rebel: Birth order, family dynamics, and creative lives. Pantheon Books.