ABSTRACT
Like Hansel and Gretel, some siblings form intensely positive relationships with one another. These relationships rest on a foundation of mutually agreed upon principles that we have termed "intense sibling loyalties." We have been studying (Bank & Kahn, 1982) videotaped interviews of groups of intensely loyal and caring siblings who have much in common with Hansel and Gretel. 1 Like Grimm's fairy tale siblings, many of them suffered severe parental losses and grew up together under emotionally trying conditions. Loyalty, attachment, and devotion to one another seemed to be the outstanding themes of their interaction with each other.
