Since the time of Kayin and Hevel, it seems a given that brothers fight. Even in the most refined home, where individuals are polite and respectful, siblings take liberties with each other that they wouldn’t dare take with outsiders. It is almost as if an unwritten law permits the torture of siblings. What is even more surprising is that individuals we know, good people who outside the home are so courteous and caring, act very differently when they are amongst their closest family. And most shocking of all, sometimes those “people” turn out to be you and me.
The question is: why? Why does the very closeness and attachment we share with family bring out contention, and what can we do about it?
This Shmuz explores some of the forces that drive sibling rivalry and offers strategies to deal with it, whether as parents or as siblings.
