ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with siblings because they constitute the most proximal and ever-present context for the parent-child relationship. Siblings are also a salient aspect of children’s social lives within the family, at times as important as parents. The chapter looks at parent-child interactions as they are affected by the presence of the other siblings. It examines the sibling relationship and its impact on the parent-child dyad both during childhood and adulthood. The chapter explores the interface between sibling and peer contexts, particularly in terms of impact on parents’ ability to socialize their offspring. The parent-child relationship is much affected by the needs, personality, and the reactions of the other sibling. Just as the parent-child relationship is bidirectional, the addition of a sibling multiplies the directions of effect. Sibling relationships are largely determined by children’s characteristics, their similarities and differences in personality, the parents’ behavior toward them, and the siblings’ perception of such.
