Sibling Rivalry and Family Hierarchies
There are several psychological and social factors that can contribute to an older brother behaving aggressively towards his younger siblings. Firstly, in some cases, family norms and expectations can create rigid hierarchical relationships: younger siblings are expected to show respect, obedience, and gratitude to their elders, while older siblings are expected to love, help, and protect the younger ones. When this balance is disrupted, conflicts may arise, with the older brother trying to assert his superiority through bullying. As stated in one passage:"In the family, younger ones must show respect both to the parents and to the elder siblings. The younger ones should feel that respect, obedience, and gratitude towards the elder are a necessity. The older siblings, in turn, must nurture love for the younger ones, help and protect them. When the younger respects the elder, and the elder loves the younger, a wonderful family atmosphere is created." (source: link txt)Secondly, social dynamics within the family can foster rivalry when children are divided into "good" and "bad." Such classification gives rise to competition and a desire to prove one's superiority, often expressed through demonstrative repression or bullying of the younger ones. For example, it is noted:"When children in the family are divided into 'bad' and 'good', this usually fosters rivalry among them. The 'bad' child believes that he will never be as good as his brother or sister. And the 'good' one often believes that he is only noticed when he is better in some way than his disobedient sibling." (source: link txt)Furthermore, broader social attitudes and traditional views on the distribution of power within the family cannot be overlooked. Symbolically, such behavior may be associated with historical models in which the older brother is seen as the guardian of power and a representative of certain social norms—even if this is expressed through the oppression of younger siblings. For instance, there is an allusion to historical processes and ideas of class oppression:"The ill-treatment of the younger brother. But starting with the pamphlet 'The Banner of the True Levellers' (published in April 1649), the hostility between the older and younger brother becomes for Winstenly a permanent symbol of class oppression in England. 'Cain exalted himself and killed his brother Abel; thus one branch [of the human race] killed and usurped the lands of the other...'" (source: link txt)Finally, individual characteristics—such as unrealistic expectations, a desire for self-assertion, low self-esteem, or even physical differences (for example, more pronounced physical attributes that may provoke envy among peers)—can also contribute to an older brother seeking ways to assert himself at the expense of his younger siblings. Another passage supports this view:"Admittedly, there were other reasons for his dislike: I was rather big for my age, which generally irritates older boys; I was no good at sports; finally, I was constantly told, ending with a scold, 'Don't you dare look at me like that'." (source: link txt)Thus, the mistreatment of younger siblings by the older brother may arise as a result of the complex interaction of family roles, unrealistic expectations, and rivalry, as well as broader social and individual factors that contribute to negative forms of self-assertion.Supporting citation(s):"In the family, younger ones must show respect both to the parents and to the elder siblings. The younger ones should feel that respect, obedience, and gratitude towards the elder are a necessity. The older siblings, in turn, must nurture love for the younger ones, help and protect them. When the younger respects the elder, and the elder loves the younger, a wonderful family atmosphere is created." (source: link txt)"When children in the family are divided into 'bad' and 'good', this usually fosters rivalry among them. The 'bad' child believes that he will never be as good as his brother or sister. And the 'good' one often believes that he is only noticed when he is better in some way than his disobedient sibling." (source: link txt)"The ill-treatment of the younger brother. But starting with the pamphlet 'The Banner of the True Levellers' ... the hostility between the older and younger brother becomes for Winstenly a permanent symbol of class oppression in England." (source: link txt)"Admittedly, there were other reasons for his dislike: I was rather big for my age... Sometimes, out of anger or pride..." (source: link txt)