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Sibling Rivalries Relationships Disliking Sibling's Boyfriend Girlfriend Brothers

Id ESLPod_0649_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 649
Episode Title Disliking a Sibling's Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Title Disliking a Sibling's Boyfriend or Girlfriend
Text

In the United States, "siblings" (brothers and sisters) are expected to love each other, but also to fight with each other and have many arguments. This isn't necessarily because they don't like each other. Most researchers agree that sibling rivalries "arise" (appear; happen) because siblings are competing for their parents' attention and love.

American literature, television, and movies "are filled with" (have many) "sibling rivalries" (tense relationships between brothers and sisters). For example, one popular television show, The Simpsons, is often about the sibling rivalry between Bart and Lisa. Episodes of Malcolm in the Middle and Rugrats are also often about sibling rivalry. And episodes of The Brady Bunch are often about sibling rivalry among the "step-siblings" (brothers and sisters who are in the same family because their parents remarried after their birth).

Most people "grow out of" (are no longer interested in something as adults) their sibling rivalries by the time they are adults, often developing close relationships with their siblings. But some television shows explore sibling rivalries that continue even when the siblings are adults, such as Ross and Monica in Friends, and Frasier and Niles in Frasier. In these shows, the characters "appear" (seem) "quite" (very) childish when they are involved in sibling rivalries, but it is funny.

Some "real-life" (happening to real people; not made up for TV or movies) sibling rivalries are talked about in the media, especially in sports and entertainment. For example, there are tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, musicians Michael and Janet Jackson, and musicians and actresses Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears. It is possible that having media attention "exacerbates" (makes stronger or worse) these sibling rivalries.

Topics Relationships + Family

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