“Who’s the Boss? Patterns of Control in Adolescents’ Sibling Relationships”
by
Corinna Jenkins Tucker
Kim Updegraff
Megan E. Baril
The goal of this article was to "examine [the] changes in perceived control" between siblings. The shift of power is something that is incredibly dramatic and important to a group of siblings, having a great deal of effect on how they get along and relate to one another.
The authors outlined their article being sure to focus on three distinct patters of control: firstborn dominant, equal and second born dominant (Tucker, Updegraff, & Baril, 2010, p. 521). Though the most interesting portion was that which surrounded the idea of sibling deidentification, or the opposite interests and personalities that developed uniquely and away from that of one's siblings (Tucker, et al., 2010, p. 522). The often subconscious decision to shift away from the interests of one's sibling, particularly between the first and second born, is a way for individuals to create their own identities and stand outs as children. These shifts have a large effect on the relationship between siblings, or the struggle for power.
Also a topic of discussion in this article was that of the effects a sibling relationship may have on an adult. An imbalance of control could be the result of a rivalry or lack of stability that has carried over from childhood (Tucker, et al., 2010, p. 530). More often than not this is most prevalent in second born children, resulting from a struggle to hold their own or deidentify from their elder sibling.
***
“Sibling Relationships and Influences in Childhood and Adolescence”
by
Susan M. McHale
Kimberly A. Updegraff
Shawn D. Whiteman
The main goal of McHale, Updegraff and Whiteman in this article was to create an interest in the subject by showing the ties that family and influences have on development, as well as all the benefits that a sibling can bring. Many areas of cross-cultural perspectives were covered as well, including:
Family dynamics vs. cultural beliefs
Close companions and the sharing of family history
Holding siblings above all others
There is a heavy importance placed in this article on the thought that sibling relationships form "building blocks" of the family in question; close siblings bring the family closer, and vice versa (McHale, Updegraff, & Whiteman, 2012, p. 919). There is a major sense of what is referred to as the "ripple effect" and how it influences others in the immediate group.
Another important and helpful aspect of this article is that of the importance that comes with cultivating such an early relationship outside of the parents' shadow. It allows kids to grow and adjust their forming ideas and ideals by how they and their siblings relate to each other.
***
by
Corinna Jenkins Tucker
Kim Updegraff
Megan E. Baril
The goal of this article was to "examine [the] changes in perceived control" between siblings. The shift of power is something that is incredibly dramatic and important to a group of siblings, having a great deal of effect on how they get along and relate to one another.
The authors outlined their article being sure to focus on three distinct patters of control: firstborn dominant, equal and second born dominant (Tucker, Updegraff, & Baril, 2010, p. 521). Though the most interesting portion was that which surrounded the idea of sibling deidentification, or the opposite interests and personalities that developed uniquely and away from that of one's siblings (Tucker, et al., 2010, p. 522). The often subconscious decision to shift away from the interests of one's sibling, particularly between the first and second born, is a way for individuals to create their own identities and stand outs as children. These shifts have a large effect on the relationship between siblings, or the struggle for power.
Also a topic of discussion in this article was that of the effects a sibling relationship may have on an adult. An imbalance of control could be the result of a rivalry or lack of stability that has carried over from childhood (Tucker, et al., 2010, p. 530). More often than not this is most prevalent in second born children, resulting from a struggle to hold their own or deidentify from their elder sibling.
***
“Sibling Relationships and Influences in Childhood and Adolescence”
by
Susan M. McHale
Kimberly A. Updegraff
Shawn D. Whiteman
The main goal of McHale, Updegraff and Whiteman in this article was to create an interest in the subject by showing the ties that family and influences have on development, as well as all the benefits that a sibling can bring. Many areas of cross-cultural perspectives were covered as well, including:
Family dynamics vs. cultural beliefs
Close companions and the sharing of family history
Holding siblings above all others
There is a heavy importance placed in this article on the thought that sibling relationships form "building blocks" of the family in question; close siblings bring the family closer, and vice versa (McHale, Updegraff, & Whiteman, 2012, p. 919). There is a major sense of what is referred to as the "ripple effect" and how it influences others in the immediate group.
Another important and helpful aspect of this article is that of the importance that comes with cultivating such an early relationship outside of the parents' shadow. It allows kids to grow and adjust their forming ideas and ideals by how they and their siblings relate to each other.
***
“Is Birth Order Destiny?”
by
Susan Krauss Whitbourne
Whitbourne’s main goal in her article is to address the myths of childhood traits based on birth order. She states upfront the personality traits that are usually assumed to accompany each child based on the order in which they were born, and then challenges individuals to refuse to submit to the negative ones.
According to ‘Psychological Birth Order Inventory’ the characteristics of what an individual is supposed to be based on being the first, second or last born is often used as a way to stereotype children. Without necessarily realizing it the parents impose assumptions about what kind of a person their children will be, successfully pinning their child into a category (Whitbourne, 2013). This is not the way to challenge a child to become the best version of themselves, Whitbourne says, because it doesn’t give the siblings much flexibility in defining themselves as individuals. The article doesn’t make a case against the active roles of siblings (caregiver, role model, etc.) but rather focuses primarily on personality traits and roles based on these.
According to Whitbourne it is important for all children, no matter the location in their sibling lineup to look for their own bias and break them (Whitbourne, 2013). Definition of character is not a random outcome of where you were born in relation to your siblings, but rather a matter of finding and defining one’s own destiny. After all, there are plenty of other barriers to breakdown in life without focusing on whether or not you’re the middle child.
***
by
Sandra E. Black
Paul J. Devereux
Kjell G. Salvanes
This study focused on the population of Norwegian men over the span of three decades in the latter half of the twentieth century. The reason that these researchers were able to work with the Norwegian population of males, specifically those 18-20 years old, is because of the mandatory military service and the testing that occurs within it. For nineteen months men are required to participate in military activities, making the testing research informative and fairly accurate. Since the completion of publication of this article Norway has begun including women in compulsory military activities, but for the sake of the article’s date this will be pushed aside.
The results of this study find that it is the younger children that have the lower IQ test results, as evidenced by various graphs available on the study (Black, Devereux, & Salvanes, 2011, p. 109). The reasons cited for this finding have to do beginning with the way children are treated in the womb. A mother takes the utmost care of herself during her first pregnancy, eating the ‘right’ things and listening to the advice of healthcare professionals down to the most minutiae detail (Black, et al., 2011, p. 114). With each pregnancy that follows there comes the feeling of “been there, done that” and the mother finds a bit more confidence in her own judgment based on successes she’s had in the past. There is also the suggestion that couples will “continue to have children until they have a ‘poor quality’ child, a which point parents may opt to discontinue childbearing” (Black, et al., 2011, p. 116).
Though this article wasn’t totally geared toward child development, but rather the test scores of those already fully developed it hold interesting findings nonetheless. With these findings we will be able to take into account the prospects that may be in the children’s futures based on where they are at the beginning of their lives.
by
Susan Krauss Whitbourne
Whitbourne’s main goal in her article is to address the myths of childhood traits based on birth order. She states upfront the personality traits that are usually assumed to accompany each child based on the order in which they were born, and then challenges individuals to refuse to submit to the negative ones.
According to ‘Psychological Birth Order Inventory’ the characteristics of what an individual is supposed to be based on being the first, second or last born is often used as a way to stereotype children. Without necessarily realizing it the parents impose assumptions about what kind of a person their children will be, successfully pinning their child into a category (Whitbourne, 2013). This is not the way to challenge a child to become the best version of themselves, Whitbourne says, because it doesn’t give the siblings much flexibility in defining themselves as individuals. The article doesn’t make a case against the active roles of siblings (caregiver, role model, etc.) but rather focuses primarily on personality traits and roles based on these.
According to Whitbourne it is important for all children, no matter the location in their sibling lineup to look for their own bias and break them (Whitbourne, 2013). Definition of character is not a random outcome of where you were born in relation to your siblings, but rather a matter of finding and defining one’s own destiny. After all, there are plenty of other barriers to breakdown in life without focusing on whether or not you’re the middle child.
***
by
Stephen J. Donovan
Ezra Susser
Despite having been the least helpful Journal article that was referenced an interesting idea was presented within it: stable (family) vs. dynamic (influenced) (Donovan & Susser, 2011, p. 345). Within these categories is the interesting thought of what occurs after the birth of a child and how it affects them later in life--most specifically, the mother's behavior.
The way a mother behaves after giving birth is highly regarded by Donovan and Susser as one of the most important aspects of a child's development. And, more importantly, the shorter the time between pregnancies for the mother, the more apt the mother is to "bounce back" (Donovan, et al., 2011, p. 345). The effect that a mother's recovery would have on a child is one that sets the tone for how they enter into the world and what role they may be keen to play.
***
“Household Choices and Child Development”
by
Daniela del Boca
Christopher Flinn
Matthew Wiswall
This article was to fulfill our goal of discovering how much the time with a parent or caregiver mattered to a child. Though mainly concerned about the relationship between how adults at home versus adults at work mattered to a child’s development, this was still helpful to finding how much time was spent with children and how amongst caretakers (mainly parental).
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The most important information that we were able to find in this article as it relates to our purposes is that parental time decreased as the children aged (Del Boca, et al., 2014, p. 182). The parents were most involved with the kids when they were younger, making sure to cite that that the parents’ greatest investment in spending time with their children came at younger ages.
Of course, this study is only a supplemental source for our caregiver research since it is mainly focused on two child households. Though it is worth mentioning that the greatest impact on “child quality” was found in the investment of parental time, not money (Del Boca, et al., 2014, 182).
***
Ezra Susser
Despite having been the least helpful Journal article that was referenced an interesting idea was presented within it: stable (family) vs. dynamic (influenced) (Donovan & Susser, 2011, p. 345). Within these categories is the interesting thought of what occurs after the birth of a child and how it affects them later in life--most specifically, the mother's behavior.
The way a mother behaves after giving birth is highly regarded by Donovan and Susser as one of the most important aspects of a child's development. And, more importantly, the shorter the time between pregnancies for the mother, the more apt the mother is to "bounce back" (Donovan, et al., 2011, p. 345). The effect that a mother's recovery would have on a child is one that sets the tone for how they enter into the world and what role they may be keen to play.
***
“Household Choices and Child Development”
by
Daniela del Boca
Christopher Flinn
Matthew Wiswall
This article was to fulfill our goal of discovering how much the time with a parent or caregiver mattered to a child. Though mainly concerned about the relationship between how adults at home versus adults at work mattered to a child’s development, this was still helpful to finding how much time was spent with children and how amongst caretakers (mainly parental).
The most important information that we were able to find in this article as it relates to our purposes is that parental time decreased as the children aged (Del Boca, et al., 2014, p. 182). The parents were most involved with the kids when they were younger, making sure to cite that that the parents’ greatest investment in spending time with their children came at younger ages.
Of course, this study is only a supplemental source for our caregiver research since it is mainly focused on two child households. Though it is worth mentioning that the greatest impact on “child quality” was found in the investment of parental time, not money (Del Boca, et al., 2014, 182).
***
“Older and Wiser? Birth Order and IQ of Young Men”
by
Sandra E. Black
Paul J. Devereux
Kjell G. Salvanes
This study focused on the population of Norwegian men over the span of three decades in the latter half of the twentieth century. The reason that these researchers were able to work with the Norwegian population of males, specifically those 18-20 years old, is because of the mandatory military service and the testing that occurs within it. For nineteen months men are required to participate in military activities, making the testing research informative and fairly accurate. Since the completion of publication of this article Norway has begun including women in compulsory military activities, but for the sake of the article’s date this will be pushed aside.
The results of this study find that it is the younger children that have the lower IQ test results, as evidenced by various graphs available on the study (Black, Devereux, & Salvanes, 2011, p. 109). The reasons cited for this finding have to do beginning with the way children are treated in the womb. A mother takes the utmost care of herself during her first pregnancy, eating the ‘right’ things and listening to the advice of healthcare professionals down to the most minutiae detail (Black, et al., 2011, p. 114). With each pregnancy that follows there comes the feeling of “been there, done that” and the mother finds a bit more confidence in her own judgment based on successes she’s had in the past. There is also the suggestion that couples will “continue to have children until they have a ‘poor quality’ child, a which point parents may opt to discontinue childbearing” (Black, et al., 2011, p. 116).
Though this article wasn’t totally geared toward child development, but rather the test scores of those already fully developed it hold interesting findings nonetheless. With these findings we will be able to take into account the prospects that may be in the children’s futures based on where they are at the beginning of their lives.
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