Analyzing Sibling Rivalry : Its Prevalence in English Literature

Abstract

MC Graw – Hill concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine defines sibling rivalry as “the intense, emotional competition among siblings that pits one against the other to obtain parental affection approval, attention, and love”. Sibling rivalry is a type of competition or animosity among siblings, whether blood related or not. Sibling Rivalry is a fact of life has been since time immemorial. The sibling bond is often complicated and is influenced by factors such as parental treatment, birth order, personality etc. From a young age, children are sensitive to differences in parental treatment. Sibling rivalry occurs throughout the life span. Sibling relationships can change dramatically over the years. Siblings suffer in the form of discrimination, oppression, exploitation, degradation, aggression and humiliation. This sibling rivalry can be very frustrating and stressful to parents. It could be seen in every family. This paper thus attempts to discuss the causes and prevalence of Sibling Rivalry in literature.