The Development of Children
By
Cynthia Lightfoot
Michael Cole
Sheila R. Cole
There is a small portion of a much larger book devoted to the subject of birth order in this text. Within it is said that birth order is used as a major act of socialization, which is where the majority of its role in development comes through. Relationships with siblings "have existed longer than any other relationships in [life], still bear the mark of their early experiences" (Lightfoot, Cole, & Cole, 2013, p. 351). There is a heavy stress on the fact that individuals often revert back to their original roles within siblings, long beyond when the age order has stopped mattering.
With people still considering themselves the "little brother," for example, it's easy to place the role of 'purely psychological' on the idea of birth order. When one is younger it's easier to fall into these already present roles while developing individual identity, but all of the things that once mattered as a child (parental attention, copying, teasing, etc.) tend to fall away or evolve into more affectionate forms, no longer adding to rivalries.
In addition to this observation is the viewpoint that most sibling "roles" are further encouraged through society's needs. When it comes to older siblings being the caretakers, for example, "more mothers working, more children are being called upon to provide care for younger siblings" (Lightfoot, et al., 2013, p. 351). The cookie cutter positions are furthered by the needs of the socioeconomic surroundings in which they grow up.
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Sibling Relationships Across the Lifespan
By
Victor Cicirelli
The word 'de-identification' is an important one in Mr. Cicirelli's work about sibling relationships. Throughout the book reasons are discussed for why a child would work hard on developing thoughts, interests, activities, etc. that their sibling wouldn't engage in as a way to form their own identity. One of the reasons for this is a way of discouraging rivalries, but it is also a way to form one's own identity far from that of the already cultivated one of an older sibling. By determining what can be developed that is different from one's brother(s) and sister(s), one is able to see what sets themselves apart (Cicirelli, 1995).
Cicirelli is also of the camp that teaching a younger sibling further develops an older sibling by placing them in the role of caretaker. Allowing a child to be "in charge" of a younger sibling gives an extra responsibility and opportunity to think about what it means to be in the role of the more experienced, advanced or responsible one. This can greatly add to a young child's development because it has such an element of influence in it.
By
Cynthia Lightfoot
Michael Cole
Sheila R. Cole
There is a small portion of a much larger book devoted to the subject of birth order in this text. Within it is said that birth order is used as a major act of socialization, which is where the majority of its role in development comes through. Relationships with siblings "have existed longer than any other relationships in [life], still bear the mark of their early experiences" (Lightfoot, Cole, & Cole, 2013, p. 351). There is a heavy stress on the fact that individuals often revert back to their original roles within siblings, long beyond when the age order has stopped mattering.
With people still considering themselves the "little brother," for example, it's easy to place the role of 'purely psychological' on the idea of birth order. When one is younger it's easier to fall into these already present roles while developing individual identity, but all of the things that once mattered as a child (parental attention, copying, teasing, etc.) tend to fall away or evolve into more affectionate forms, no longer adding to rivalries.
In addition to this observation is the viewpoint that most sibling "roles" are further encouraged through society's needs. When it comes to older siblings being the caretakers, for example, "more mothers working, more children are being called upon to provide care for younger siblings" (Lightfoot, et al., 2013, p. 351). The cookie cutter positions are furthered by the needs of the socioeconomic surroundings in which they grow up.
***
Sibling Relationships Across the Lifespan
By
Victor Cicirelli
The word 'de-identification' is an important one in Mr. Cicirelli's work about sibling relationships. Throughout the book reasons are discussed for why a child would work hard on developing thoughts, interests, activities, etc. that their sibling wouldn't engage in as a way to form their own identity. One of the reasons for this is a way of discouraging rivalries, but it is also a way to form one's own identity far from that of the already cultivated one of an older sibling. By determining what can be developed that is different from one's brother(s) and sister(s), one is able to see what sets themselves apart (Cicirelli, 1995).
Cicirelli is also of the camp that teaching a younger sibling further develops an older sibling by placing them in the role of caretaker. Allowing a child to be "in charge" of a younger sibling gives an extra responsibility and opportunity to think about what it means to be in the role of the more experienced, advanced or responsible one. This can greatly add to a young child's development because it has such an element of influence in it.
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