By Tylegal

I was listening to a radio program a while back and a question was asked – would you turn your sibling in to the police if he/she commits a wrong?

Lots of people were quick to call in and say that they would actually turn their sibling in. Well, this came as a surprise to me as I thought the reverse would be the case…

Also, a sister recently called out her kid brother on social media for assaulting her and beating her to a pulp.

Unarguably, there is a lot of sibling rivalry in many families and people even regard it as a ‘normal’ thing. Research has it that such rivalry starts right from the birth of the second child. Sibling rivalry is sometimes regarded as a healthy sign as long as the rivalry is moderately expressed without any damage.

I have a great relationship with my siblings. Did we fight growing up? We sure did. But we have outgrown it and the existing relationship is enviable. It is always great when the childish rivalry eases out and siblings relate easily with one another.

All siblings are bound to fight, tease or compete with one another from time to time. Young siblings tend to fight physically but when they grow older, they are more likely to have verbal arguments. But when the physical fights continue, it is necessary for the parents to look into it and ensure that violence is avoided. Parents should take care to encourage healthy sibling relationships by listening to their children as individuals and respecting their personalities.

In my opinion, maturity is very important in dealing with people, starting with your siblings and immediate family. If siblings have mutual respect and love for one another, there is a great tendency that they will treat others with same respect and sense of responsibility.

As we continue in the fight against domestic violence, we should also ensure that we raise our sons and daughters in the right way, teaching them right from wrong.

First published on Tylegal

Op-Ed Editor