ABSTRACT
At various points in this book we have drawn attention to the dominance of sibling conflict and rivalry in expert understandings of relationships between sisters and brothers. This is especially the case within the realm of developmental and clinical psychology, and in self-help books written by experts that are directed at parents. While some studies and advice books pose conflicts between siblings arising from jealousy as both natural and, if dealt with in the right way, healthy, other work draws attention to the more problematic and dangerous aspects. On both sides of the debate, however, the assertion is that responsibility needs to be taken for dealing with conflict and aggression between siblings, either by professionals, parents or children themselves, and that rational solutions can be found to ameliorate disharmony. Yet, as has become apparent through our discussion in previous chapters, relationships between siblings are not entirely rational and social constructions, but are the sites of irrational and unconscious internal struggles and tensions too.
