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The Role of Brothers and Sisters in Changing Times

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Brothers and Sisters

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Abstract

This chapter sets the scene and raises the questions. We define the nature of siblinghood and its variations. (The definition of a brother/sister used in this book is someone who is a first-degree sibling relation, through genetic relatedness, kinship (e.g. adoption)(or co-residence in childhood (someone who has been brought up as a brother or sister in the family as a child; we also distinguish between full, half and step siblings.) The dynamics of sibling attachment and competition have universal traits, yet they can also vary greatly by age, family constellation, cultural and ecological factors, and of course individual sibling characteristics. With increases in wealth, health and longevity and decreases in fertility in most of the world’s countries, today’s adults have lived with fewer siblings than previous generations, but will live with them for a longer time, and inherit more from previous generations. In a fast-changing world, with smaller families, more diverse family types, and in various regions of the world, to what extent do siblings support each other at different stages of the life cycle, adolescence, mid-life, old age? Today, what factors are associated with support given, or not given, at different ages? How do cultural practices and family obligations impact on sibling support? How does sibling support differ in different situations; surrogate siblings; migrant families, cross-racial adoption, a sibling with special needs? In a world with increased ageing, will siblings be called upon to offer more support to their brothers and sisters? Will they be willing to help?

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept Social Policy and intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Ann Buchanan

  2. Väestöliitto, Finland

    Anna Rotkirch

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  1. Ann Buchanan
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  2. Anna Rotkirch
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Correspondence to Ann Buchanan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Ann Buchanan

  2. Helsinki, Finland

    Anna Rotkirch

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Buchanan, A., Rotkirch, A. (2021). The Role of Brothers and Sisters in Changing Times. In: Buchanan, A., Rotkirch, A. (eds) Brothers and Sisters. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55985-4_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55985-4_1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-55984-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-55985-4

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