Outline of the positive and negative aspects

In the following section, we have written some ideas that are useful when dealing with the topic of sibling rivalry, especially when discussing the opposing standpoints presented in the articles.…

...

Positive aspects

Rosemary Bennett's article is the only one of the three that focuses on the positive angle of sibling rivalry. She believes that the constant arguing of the children has a positive effect on their social skills:

“When children are arguing (...) they are actually benefiting from the confrontation. Parents (...) should take comfort in the fact that their children are learning important social skills” (Benntt, ll. 30-37)

Rosemary Bennett discusses the overall positive aspect of the emotional language on the second child in the family, even if the language itself is not always beneficial:

“Even where intense sibli…

...

Negative aspects

Anahad O’Connor is the first author that focuses on the negative aspects of sibling rivalry, along with Joanna Briscoe. O’Connor begins with associating this situation with the well-known case of Cain and Abel, thus emphasising the dramatic implications of sibling disputes.

Anahad O’Connor also implies that sibling aggression is equal to- if not even worse than-  peer aggression and that solutions have to be implemented in competent institutions:

“The aggression among siblings should be taken just as seriously as that among peers” (O'Connor, ll. 48-49)

Anahad O’Connor discusses  the negative psychological effects of rivalry, effects that may expand into adult life. The adult who, as a child, was the victim of sibling humiliation and abuse, may turn out to be a person with deep psychological issues:

“Those who were attacked, threatened or intimidated by a sibling had increased levels of depression, anger and anxiety” (O'Connor, ll. 24-26)

“Dr. Caffaro said that the…