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A senior writer at Time magazine explores what scientists and researchers are discovering about sibling bonds, the longest- lasting relationships we have in our lives.
Nobody affects us as deeply as our brothers and sisters-not parents, not children, not friends. From the time we-and they-are born, our siblings are our collaborators and co-conspirators, our role models and cautionary tales. They teach us how to resolve conflicts and how not to, how to conduct friendships and when to walk away. Our siblings are the only people we know who truly qualify as partners for life.
In this groundbreaking book, renowned science writer Jeffrey Kluger explores the complex world of siblings in a way that is equal parts science, psychology, sociology, and memoir. Based heavily on new and emerging research, The Sibling Effect examines birth order, twin studies, genetic encoding of behavioral traits, emotional disorders and their effects on-and effects from-sibling relationships, and much more.
With his signature insight and humor, Kluger takes big ideas about siblings and turns them into smart, accessible writing that will help anyone understand the importance of siblings in our lives.
In some ways, our siblings are our only true partners for life. We grow up together; teach each other how to interact, fight, and resolve problems. They are role models, co-conspirators, competitors, monitors of our own behavior, and listening boards. Most of us are so close to our brothers and sisters that we never really contemplate the depth and breadth of our relationships. Fortunately, scientists have been watching us closely. In The Sibling Effect, Time senior writer Jeffrey Kluger lifts the curtain on what researchers have recently learned about the deep bonds between childhood playmates.
An in-depth exploration of the bonds between siblings and their surprisingly large influence on how we develop.
Time senior editor Kluger (Freedom Stone, 2011, etc.) has experienced myriad familial and sibling relationships in his life: son, brother, stepbrother, half brother and stepson, to name just a few. Using these often humorous, but sometimes dark, experiences as a handy framework, he first explains why human siblings are unique in the animal kingdom and why, in many cases, bonds between brothers and sisters are among the most important in their lives. Masterfully weaving anecdotal passages with academic research and scientific data, the author thoroughly examines the many manifestations of the simple brother-brother, sister-sister or brother-sister relationship, and the dynamic within each. Kluger devotes chapters to such major topics as the importance of birth order in a growing family, parental divorce and blended families (which become more prevalent each day), and what happens when a parent clearly favors a particular child. The author also touches on why siblings fight, how their risky behaviors may influence one another (hint: it's not always negatively), sex and gender and sibling relationships in old age. Kluger doesn't neglect the "curious worlds of twins and singletons"; they get a chapter all to themselves.
An entertaining, enlightening and helpful handbook for familial relations from an author who's been through them all.
Anonymous
Posted December 17, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted September 30, 2011
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Anonymous
Posted May 4, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted February 4, 2012
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Anonymous
Posted September 30, 2011
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Overview
A senior writer at Time magazine explores what scientists and researchers are discovering about sibling bonds, the longest- lasting relationships we have in our lives.
Nobody affects us as deeply as our brothers and sisters-not parents, not children, not friends. From the time we-and they-are born, our siblings are our collaborators and co-conspirators, our role models and cautionary tales. They teach us how to resolve conflicts and how not to, how to conduct friendships and when to walk away. Our siblings are the only people we know who truly qualify as partners for life.
In this groundbreaking book, renowned science ...