Sisters and brothers for life : making sense of sibling relationships in adulthood / Suzanne Degges-White.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Degges-White, Suzanne, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Siblings.

Brothers and sisters.

Interpersonal relations.

Families.

Physical Description:

xii, 257 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield, [2017]

Summary:

Sibling relationships are special in many ways, not least because siblings are often the family members who go through their whole lives together. But those relationships can be fraught with strife or tension, bouts of happiness or strain and stress. They can predict and affect other relationships in our lives, and they can offer solace or sadness over the years. Here, Suzanne Degges-White looks at the variety of sibling relationships with an eye to improving both the good and the bad. Using real stories throughout, she illustrates the broad spectrum of problems (and rewards) that can come from having a sibling. Examining such factors as the early family constellation, birth order, cultural diversity, and family communication patterns, Degges-White illustrates how these relationships can affect so many other areas of our lives, and she considers how adult sibling conflict, rivalry, abuse, and loss influence our lives. She offers suggestions for effective responses to adult sibling conflict, enhancing family communication, and deepening the sibling connection in adulthood. No matter what the sibling relationship is or has become, this work will help readers consider how situations might be improved or addressed, even if it means letting go of unhealthy sibling relationships. Book jacket.

Contents:

Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

Family constellations, culture, and communication

Birth order and family constellations

Cultural influences on sibling relationships

Sibling loss in childhood and adolescence

Family communication and engagement

The effects of the past on the present

Sibling rivalry in adulthood

Family roles

Family secrets

Taboo topics

Focus on the present

Values conflicts between siblings

Dealing with sibling shortcomings

Siblings and their partners

Health and wellbeing concerns of siblings

Making changes for the future

Caring for aging parents

Deconstructing unproductive communication patterns

Siblings for life: closing the gaps in the family circle

Appendix

Index

Bibliography

About the author.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Degges-White, Suzanne, author. Sisters and brothers for life

ISBN:

9781442265943

1442265949

OCLC:

986523278