Wicked Sisters Do Exist, And What You Can Learn From Them
What my older sister taught me about sibling rivalry and abuse.
It never occurred to me growing up that my sister wasn’t going to be my best friend. I held her up on a pedestal and hung on her every word until those words slowly ate away at my self-worth and well-being.
We had a “Marcia and Cindy Brady” relationship where Marcia shined, and Cindy cringed. I wanted her to love me, but ultimately I learned why she never could.
There is a difference between natural sibling rivalry and sibling abuse. Identifying the behaviors can help parents change their parenting styles and techniques to aid their children’s social and emotional growth.
What Is Sibling Abuse?
Sibling abuse is prevalent, however, underreported. It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of siblings encounter some form of sibling abuse.
Shockingly, the prevalence of sibling maltreatment is higher than child or spousal abuse.
According to Diane M. Stutley of Counseling Today, “Survivors of sibling abuse have reported problems with depression, drugs, and alcohol, sexual risk behaviors, low self-esteem, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and an increased risk of continuing the cycle of violence into their teenage years and adult lives.”
My sister had two glorious years with my parent’s full attention and love. Everything revolved around her and her needs.
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