7.9. Outline some of the major characteristics of parent-child and sibling relat

Question

7.9. Outline some of the major characteristics of parent-child and sibling relationships. 7.10. Consider the nature of close friendships and highlight gender differences in close friendships. 7.11. Explain the differences between men and women in what they look for in a mate according to evolutionary theory. 7.12. Clarify how passionate love differs from unrequited and companionate love. 7.13. Contrast the elements of Hendrick and Hendrick’s (1986) love styles with that of Sternberg’s (1986) triangular model of love. 7.14. Discuss the costs of secret relationships.

Explanation / Answer

Ans 7.9

Parent-child relationship that may influence children behaviors are:

a) Over protective/over anxious parents: -These parents do not allow their children to experience and learn to cope with the problems and anxieties of life. -Over protection may relate to the previous history of miscarriage, death of other sibling or serious illness of the child. -As a result child is frequently very shy, fearful of new situations and lacking self-confidence.

b) Over indulgent: -Parent often gives the child whatever he asks. -Child manipulates his parents into satisfying all of his wants and tend to act superior, bossy, and demanding. -Typically, he follows the same type of behavior during dental visit and are often called ''spoiled'' child.

C) Over Authoritative: -Such parents do not support their children anxieties but constantly criticize or punish them. -They may compare them with older siblings and demand the same behavior. -Those children will be submission, coupled with resentment and commonly are delaying tactics in an attempt to avoid the dental procedures.

d) Under affection:- This includes parental behaviors that range from mild lack of interest to overt rejection or physical abuse. -The lack of affection and attention to their children may result in severe emotional problems. -The child usually develop resentment and non- responsive to painful procedures or might also be loud, crying easily and aggressive seeking the attention that is missing at home.

E) Rejection: Abuse Child syndrome

Sibling Relationships:

The relationship between brothers and sisters is important and unique because it begins very early in life and is often the longest lasting relationship, longer than the ties to parents, spouses or children. Siblings usually share genetic characteristics; the common environmental influence allows them to grow up with similar personality traits, views and attitudes.(Martins, 2007)

Some of the factors that make this relationship complex is the gender, age, birth order, home and school environments and characteristics of parents, their interpersonal relationships, as well as other members in the family that play a role in the development of the sibling relationship (Watkins 2008). Intimacy between siblings translates into an opportunity for providing emotional and instrumental support for one another. When they engage in pretend play or have a conflict, this plays an important role in understanding others points of views. (Howe and Recchia 2006)

Positive sibling relationship plays an important role in the development of social skills as well as a great source of social support for children in early childhood. The siblings who have a positive relationship with each other do not have conduct disorders nor do they experience loneliness, they have a higher positive self-image.(Kaminsky and Dewey 2001)

Siblings are the most important source of emotional support to each other; they serve as role models and play as buddies, and influence social and cognitive learning in the sibling relationship. Parents are the primary agents of socialization; the parent-child relationship plays a significant role in the sibling relationship.(Neale 2003)

Birth order can influence the development of pro-social skills in younger children; they learn by imitation of their older siblings who take the role of teachers and sometimes as leaders. Older siblings who model positive pro-social skills (e.g. helping, sharing) rather than aggressive and violent behavior were able to influence positive peer relationships outside the home. When the parents are stressed and emotionally unavailable to meet the needs of the children, the sibling adapt and take the role of the parent and take care of the other siblings.(Watkins 2008)

Typically developing siblings of autistic children are affected in positive ways like having a warm, nurturing relationship and in negative way like depression, low self-esteem and other behavioral difficulties. (Mascha and Boucher 2006)

7.10 Characteristics of Long-Lasting Friendships:

1. Steadfast support. My friends support me when I am down, when I am lost, when I struggle, and also when I succeed. You can call the friends you keep for help and they expect nothing in return.

2. You celebrate each other’s successes. The friends you keep unselfishly celebrate your successes. They are equally excited or even more thrilled about your triumphs than you are. You are not jealous of each other’s accomplishments.

3. You can laugh at any situation no matter how tragic, frustrating or confusing. Recently, I went to be with my dear friend who had just lost her husband in a tragic accident. I told her, “Don’t worry, you will not be alone. I will marry you!” She exhaled a deep belly laugh and we had a much needed laugh together amidst the sadness.

4. The bond never dies. Physical distance prevents me from seeing many friends on a regular basis. Months or years can pass, but when we see each other, it is like no time has passed at all.

5. You clear space with each other when needed. You are honest with each other. If something hurts you or bothers you, you have the courage to clear that away with one another, and create new space for your friendship to flourish.

6. You let go of some friendships. Just like romantic relationships, friendships can become stagnant or unhealthy too. Or, you can simply grow-apart. You have the courage to “break-up” with this friend. Or if the relationship naturally fizzles, you release yourself from feeling guilty about it. You accept that you can’t keep every friend that you have ever had. And letting go of friends that you have had throughout your lifetime, gives way to a greater capacity to keep your current and future friendships.

7. You forgive. You forgive when your friend doesn’t have the capacity to ask for forgiveness.

8. Boundaries. Every relationship needs boundaries to flourish. If your friend is going through a difficult time that triggers something painful for you, you still support them. You just tell them that you have to support them with some distance.

9. You drop everything and just show-up when you need each other. A friend calls you crying over a breakup or getting laid off at work, you drop your plans that night, and have a girl’s night in instead. A tragedy happens and you just simply show-up with your physical and/or emotional presence. You don’t just text or email, you pick up the phone and call. You show-up for them in-person when you can.

Highlight gender differences in close friendships:

Woman-woman friendships are definitely more intimate than man-man friendships.

Female friendships share their emotions and secrets to one another and talk about their personal life more than male friendships.

Female friendships have non-aggressive physical contact like sitting close to each other or hugging.

Women prefer one-on-one communication and tend to include two close friends.

Also, females view their friendship as personal and intense unlike like males.

In contrast, guys tend to avoid heart-to-hearts and prefer to involve in physical activities.

In other words, men see their friendship as physically doing things together and men just view their friends as a team.

Men tend to insult each other, tell jokes, and mess around a lot more and they are just physically and verbally more aggressive than women.

In addition, male friendships usually have “locker room talks” for example, men use curse words, say dirty stories, tease, etc.

Male friendships tend to include a group of friends; three or more friends not simply two.

In general, female friendships are assumed to be closer because they share their deepest feelings to one another and communicate one-on-one.

However, male friendships are assumed to be more stable because they view their group of friends as a team and physically engage in activites together.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 7
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.