Teens and Siblings

Siblings

• Brother and sisters in a family.• Can be the best of friends or the worst of

enemies.• Why would this be true? Give some examples.

Sibling Rivalry

• Competition between brothers and sisters.• Usually created by jealous feelings as they

compete for their parents’ love and attention, or other things.

Supportive Sibling Behavior

• Any action that helps or encourages a sibling.• Can take place in the home or outside the

home.• Give some examples.

Birth Order

• The role a child plays in the home is greatly influenced by his/her birth order.

• This role can also be transferred to school and peer groups.

• What birth order are you? See which category best fits you.

Birth Order QuizCategory A

• Manipulative• Charming• Usually gets his/her

way• Blames others for

things that happen witty

• A show-off• Loves people• Good salesperson• Draws favorable

attention

Birth Order QuizCategory B

• Perfectionist• Reliable• Makes lists• Conscientious• Well-organized

• Serious• Critical• Does well in school• Usually neat and tidy

Birth Order QuizCategory C

• Acts as a go-between in family conflicts

• Has the fewest pictures in the family photo album

• Avoids conflict• Has many friends

• Extremely loyal to peer group (gets mad if parents criticize friends)

• Seems to do things differently than the rest of the family

• Independent

Birth Order Quiz Results

• Every word in these descriptions may not be exactly as you are, but you are to choose the one that fits the best.

• Category A: Youngest• Category B: Oldest• Category C: Middle

Birth Order CharacteristicsFirst Born or Only Child

• Guinea pigs• Perfectionists• Reliable• Conscientious• List makers• Well-organized• Critical• Scholarly• Loyal

• Serious• Goal-oriented• People pleasers• Conservative• Supporters of law and

order• Believers in authority and

ritual• Legalistic• Self-reliant

Birth Order CharacteristicsMiddle Born

• Independent• Loyal to peer group• Many friends• Usually leave home first• Find companionship

outside the home• Feels left out of their

own family• Run with the pack

• Avoid conflict• Least number of

pictures in family albums

• Prone to embarrassment, but won’t admit it

• Secretive• Last to see professional

help

Birth Order CharacteristicsLast Born

• Manipulative• Charming• Blame others• Shows off• People persons• Good salespersons• Precocious• Engaging

• Messy class clowns• Love limelight• Personable

manipulators• Affectionate• Absentminded• Carefree• Not taken seriously

Your Teacher’s Birth Order

• Now that you have a little background on birth order characteristics, what birth order do you think your teacher is?

• How about these teachers?–Mrs. Smith–Mr. Blackham–Mr. Zobell–Ms. Mitchell

Making Your Birth Order Work for You

• The following slides have some suggestions for making your birth order work in your best interest.

• People who are wise learn to make their birth order work for them and to their advantage.

Tips for the Oldest Child

• Don’t overextend yourself• Learn to say no—you can’t do everything• Don’t expect so much from yourself. You

don’t have to be perfect.• Don’t be afraid of being a detail person.• Take problem solving step-by-step

Tips for the Oldest Child

• Don’t let others pressure you into making decisions. Take your time.

• Try to develop a sense of humor and laugh at your mistakes.

• Never apologize for being conscientious or over organized.

Tips for the Middle Child

• Use your people skills to see both sides of issues and deal with life as it really is.

• If you are a free spirit, fight to keep your unique qualities.

• Middle children grow up thinking that no one ever listened to them and they never had a chance to express their ideas. Share your ideas!

Tips for the Middle Child

• Enjoy your many friends, but don’t spread yourself too thin.

• Don’t compare yourself to others—just be you!

• Don’t think only firstborns are leaders; you understand, negotiate, and compromise. Try being a leader!

Tips for the Youngest Child

• Accept responsibility for yourself!• Many lastborns are messy; learn to pick up

after yourself.• Choose jobs where you interact with people

because you will do well!• Be less self-centered and offer to help others.

Tips for the Youngest Child

• Don’t blame others if you’re the one who really caused the situation.

• Your gift of humor will be an asset; use it correctly. Don’t be a carrot seeker.

• Give others a chance to share the limelight. Concentrate on asking others about them!

• Lastborns tend to be the most compatible.

Sibling Research Project

• We are going to conduct a sibling research project on our class.

• Fill out the sibling rivalry research questionnaire.

• Now we are going to tally the results.

Tally our Results

• Split into 4 groups• Group one: – Examine results from questions 1-5

• Group two: – Examine results from questions 6-10

• Group three: – Examine results from questions 11-15

• Group four: – Examine results from questions 16-19

Analyze our Results

• Have each group report their findings to the teacher. The teacher will then tally all of the information onto one sheet of paper.

• Homework Assignment: Take home a copy of the sibling rivalry student survey results sheet and answer the questions on the sibling rivalry student reaction form. This will be due next class period.

Summary

• Living with siblings is not always easy, but your siblings will always be part of your life and they can be good friends.

• It is in the best interest of the family to understand sibling interaction and sibling dynamics in order to contribute to good relationships.