UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

FEM3110 : MARRIAGE, FAMILY AND PARENTING ECOLOGY

LECTURE GROUP : 3

GROUP : 4

LECTURER’S NAME : PROF MADYA DR. ZARINAH BINTI ARSHAT

THEME : SIBLINGS VIOLENCE

NO NAME MATRICS NUMBER

1 HANI ARYANA NATASHA BINTI HANAFI 214118

2 MUHAMMAD FARIHIN BIN MOHD FAUZAN 215754

3 NURIN SYAZWANA BINTI AHMAD NIZAM 214631

4 HUSNINA BINTI MOHAMED RIDZUAN 214149

5 WAFIN WARDAH BINTI AZMI 217153

Human history is rife with violence, either interpersonally or socially, and it persists in our
time. Violence can take many forms, such as physical abuse of a child by an adult, violence
between intimate partners, violence between siblings , and elder abuse. In this report, we will
be focusing on the subject of sibling violence or sibling abuse. Additionally, it is pervasive;
over 3.5 million instances of violence in family structure were documented between 1998 and
2002, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Durose et al. 2005). In the family
structure, sibling relationships stand for something special and irreplaceable. They are the
ones that mirror our personalities, our companions and reflect our shadow. But due to certain
circumstances it leads to a bad path. Sibling violence can be defined as behaviours that hurt
someone emotionally or physically, or if they depart from customary sibling activities To
look at the bigger perspective, in this era, conflict that happens among siblings is often
viewed as something normal or has become a norm that it is difficult to acknowledge. One of
the aspects that leads to this sibling violence is age affecting the development of someone in
aspect of behaviour. According to a different study, over 83% of the 272 high school juniors
and seniors reported antagonistic sibling interactions, with many of them claiming to have
experienced taunts, threats, or mockery (Goodwin and Roscoe 1990). This violence can be
seen through emotional and physical form and has been found to be the most common form
of this violence. Based on the article ‘Beyond Rivalry, a Hidden World of Sibling Violence’
(www.nytimes.com), it stated that the sibling attacks were equally prevalent in kids of all
racial and socioeconomic backgrounds; they were most prevalent in kids between the ages of
6 and 12; boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience them; and they gradually
decreased as kids approached puberty. Some may have been fleeting and harmless but 4.55
percent in a study shows that children were hit hard enough making them vulnerable to
sustain injuries like cuts, broken bones and bruises. This may leave them with a hidden
trauma for the rest of their lives making the life grow weary every passing hour. On the other
side, Edmonton police say family and domestic violence calls are most dangerous to respond
to (www.globalnews.ca.com). But how can sibling violence can be recognized and what are
ways to prevent it?

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HOW THESE ISSUES AFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EACH FAMILY
MEMBER?

Exposure to family violence is one of the factors that can have an impact on sibling violence.
According to Ingram, Espelage, Davis, and Merrin (2020), exposure to parental violence in
early adolescence can indicate sibling regression. This exposure may occur directly, such as
child maltreatment, neglect, or emotional abuse, or indirectly, such as by way of seeing
intimate partner violence. Children pick up on and emulate the aggressive behaviours they
see when there is marital violence in the home, which fosters a hostile and aggressive
environment. As a result, siblings may imitate these aggressive tactics, leading to physical or
mental abuse. They might use violence to vent their frustration, gain control, or settle
disputes with their siblings. Witnessing domestic abuse and child abuse can have long-lasting
effects, possibly leading children to become violent adults (Izaguirre & Calvete, 2016).
Another key element affecting sibling relationships is differential parental treatment, which
affects the psychological well-being of siblings and produces disputes in their relationships
(Vennam, 2021). Unequal treatment occurs when a parent treats one child less kindly or more
adversely than their sibling, regardless of whether that is the case or not (Rolan & Marceau,
2019). Feeling unfairly treated by parents and being perceived as an outcast can have
enduring impacts throughout adolescence and adulthood. According to studies, sibling
relationships in adolescence tend to be less favourable when parents treat their kids
unequally. According to Garcia, Shaw, Winslow, and Yaggi's (2000) research, having a
non-preferred sibling during childhood promotes conflict with them. According to some
assumptions, parents who treat their children differently may see discrepancies in the quality
of their children's relationships with their siblings, which could promote resentment, hostility,
and mistrust. Researchers found that when parents gave preference to one child, that child
acted more aggressively towards their siblings, according to a study by McHale, Updegraff,
and Whiteman (2012) on the consequences of differential parental treatment. Additionally, in
an effort to establish fairness or garner parental attention, the unfavored child was more likely
to act aggressively towards the favoured child.

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Based on the factors that have been stated above, the impacts of sibling violence will lead to
social problems among peers (McCubbin, Needle & Wilson, 1985). For instance, family
members who are struggling may be inspired to engage in behaviours that could be harmful
to their bodily and mental health, including attempting suicide. Stress-related traits include
concern, difficulty concentrating, impatience, difficulty falling asleep, lack of appetite, and
others (Mirowsky & Ross, 2003). The study also revealed that adolescents who have
experienced abuse among siblings had poor cognitive and intellectual abilities. This
adolescent has poor communication skills, poor memory, and incoherent speaking. Teenagers
who have experienced abuse frequently display more aggressive and antisocial behaviour.
They also do not have a healthy parent-child relationship, which contributes to their
socio-emotional issues. As they get older, this is what causes their social interaction issues.
They typically lack self-esteem and are perpetually depressed. According to the United States
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2000), these teenagers exhibit signs
of posttraumatic stress disorder and have poor social skills. Other than that, numerous
research has revealed that exposure to sibling abuse may have an impact on the numerous
victimisations. By focusing on peer and sibling bullying, Foody et al.'s (2020) Irish survey
study investigated the consequences of many victimisations on the victims. According to the
study, those who have experienced bullying by their siblings are more likely to experience
bullying by their peers. In an American survey study involving 1199 college students as
participants, Hendy et al. (2012) discovered that sibling violence experiences were strong
predictors of partner violence later in life.

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TIPS TO OVERCOME THE ISSUES

There are many ways to overcome this sibling's violence, one of the ways to overcome the
issues is to establish guidelines to promote wholesome interactions between family members.
As parents, you should explain to your children that you want everyone to treat one another
with respect and kindness and that anyone who engages in abusive behaviour will face
repercussions. Encourage the kids to recognise family members' polite actions to help them
become more understanding. For example, if the children are having a fight about who got to
play with a toy, parents should introduce to the children about empathy, sharing and respect.
Parents can guide them to make choices that can give benefits to both of the children. This
also can avoid giving one child too much responsibility or power over another. Parents can
start this healthy relationship within the family by believing in them. Phillips and Grupp
(2009, p. E12) note, due to the relative helplessness of the child's embodied voice in the
context of a culture that does not view children as legitimate stakeholders due to their age and
role in the family, the child's description and call for assistance may not even be heard. In the
parents’ absence, they can provide good adult supervision that can monitor the children's
behaviours. To foster healthy relationships with other children,The parents should also
encourage social interaction and involvement in constructive youth activities. Next, a way to
overcome the issue is to model good conflict-solving skills and respect towards others. As we
all know, children learn by example, they tend to follow what their parents do or what
happens around them. For instance, sibling violence is significantly predicted by
father-to-child violence (Noland et al., 2004). Parents should instil in their kids the value of
using calm, firm words to resolve conflicts rather than beating, threatening, or demeaning
another person. The parents must apply this when they are in arguments or misunderstandings
with each other in the presence of the children. This also can be a challenge for the parents
but in the process, the parents will also learn something good for the family. Higher levels of
sibling conflict are correlated with lower levels of father participation and acceptability,
which have enduring negative impacts on children. According to studies, siblings who
described their father as kind and treated them equally experienced less sibling conflict
(Stocker & McHale, 1992). Additionally, parents must remember that their own harsh and
combative arguments not only frighten kids but also set a poor example. For example, if the
parents could not control themselves, it is better to argue in the absence of the children or in a
different room away from the children because sometimes when anger takes control of us, we
tend to forget everything around us.

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it should be noted that sibling violence can seriously harm the growth of any
family member. Exposure to family violence, whether directly or indirectly, can lead to a
cycle of aggression and hostility among siblings (Ingram, K. M., Espelage, D. L., Davis, J. P.,
& Merrin, G. J. (2020). Experiencing unequal parental treatment or seeing domestic violence
can encourage an aggressive environment and violent behaviour imitation, which can lead to
physical and mental abuse among siblings. According to McCubbin, H. I., Needle, R. H., and
Wilson, L. R. (1985), the impacts of sibling violence go beyond the home and can have a
negative impact on social connections. Sibling abuse may increase the likelihood that family
members would participate in risky behaviors that threaten their mental and physical health,
like self-harm or suicidal thoughts. To promote healthy sibling relationships, parents should
set clear expectations for respectful behaviour and teach empathy, sharing, and respect. They
should avoid favouritism and provide equal attention and support to each child. Adult
supervision is essential, and encouraging connections with others. Parents must take
responsibility for their actions and refrain from arguing or acting aggressively in front of their
children. In order to prevent their kids from witnessing harmful behaviours, parents should
discuss disputes in a private setting whenever possible (McHale et al., 2012). These
preventative measures can help foster a caring and violence-free atmosphere where siblings
can grow and form enduring relationships.

As a result, in order to prevent sibling violence, parents must be proactive and consistent in
their efforts to provide a caring environment for all of their children. By encouraging respect,
setting an example of good conduct, and providing support, parents can foster the healthy
development of each family member, foster solid sibling relationships, and decrease the
negative impacts of sibling violence. Encouraging respect helps children value and treat each
other kindly. Parents' positive behaviour sets an example for conflict resolution and emotional
management. Offering unwavering support fosters positive self-esteem and healthier sibling
relationships. Avoiding favouritism and providing equal attention and opportunities for each
child is crucial. Active supervision enables prompt intervention and guidance in resolving
conflicts peacefully. Encouraging external connections, such as engaging in positive youth
activities and building friendships, enhances social skills and provides additional support. By
taking these proactive measures, parents can create a harmonious and caring environment that
reduces the likelihood of sibling violence and promotes positive sibling relationships

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