Fostering Respect: Addressing Sibling Harassment

In every family, there may be cases when the younger brother engages in behavior that amounts to harassment—through verbal mockery or even mild physical aggression—that accumulates in minor incidents. The first step in solving such a problem is to understand that parenting methods must be tailored to the individual characteristics of each child. It is essential to develop a system of fair disciplinary measures so that children, from an early age, learn to respect each other’s personal space and understand the consequences of their actions. An effective approach is much like tailoring a suit to fit perfectly: every action, every rule should correspond to the child’s character and needs. This careful and purposeful process of creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and support not only reduces the risk of conflicts but also lays the foundation for healthy, harmonious relationships within the family.

What forms can harassment from a younger brother take, and how can it be countered?

Harassment in sibling relationships can manifest in various ways—even when it involves a younger brother—who might intrude on the older sibling’s personal space, employ verbal aggression, or engage in physical actions (for example, gradually teasing or even using force). Such behavior can appear as constant verbal mockery or teasing, as well as through minor, cumulative physical incidents during interactions between children.

To address this, it is important to adopt an approach that fits the individual characteristics of each child. As illustrated in one example:
“My children often fight with each other, but the main problem is not that. The issue is that their strengths are unequal: the older son is constantly harassing the younger one, teasing him, … The key is to treat children from the very start in a special way—it is like a tailor sewing a suit to individual measurements.” (source: 1350_6747.txt)

Thus, strategies for combating harassment—even if it originates from a younger brother—should include:
1. An individualized approach to understanding the needs of each child, because methods that work for one may not work for another.
2. The use of fair disciplinary measures, where parents clearly communicate that it is unacceptable to use violence or verbal aggression against either older or younger siblings. For instance, if one child exclaims, “This is unfair!” it is important to explain that punishment should be equal under similar circumstances—for example: “If the older one shouts, ‘This is unfair! You’re punishing me more than him!’ respond by saying, ‘No, it is fair; if he were your age and teased a little boy, I would punish him exactly the same way.’” (source: 1350_6747.txt)
3. Early preparation of children for living together, by teaching them to share, help one another, and respect each other’s feelings. This helps reduce the likelihood of harassment and conflict (as detailed, for example, in the context of upbringing: “From early childhood, children must be taught to share with each other, help one another…” (source: 158_785.txt)).

Such a targeted approach not only mitigates manifestations of harassment but also, in the long term, fosters an environment of respect and mutual assistance in the family, ensuring that each child grows up free from undue pressure and aggression from any sibling.

Supporting citation(s):
“My children often fight with each other, but the main problem is not that. The issue is that their strengths are unequal: the older son is constantly harassing the younger one, teasing him, … The key is to treat children from the very start in a special way—it is like a tailor sewing a suit to individual measurements.” (source: 1350_6747.txt)
“If the older one shouts, ‘This is unfair! You’re punishing me more than him!’, respond by saying, ‘No, it is fair; if he were your age and teased a little boy, I would punish him exactly the same way.’” (source: 1350_6747.txt)
“From early childhood, children must be taught to share with each other, help one another…” (source: 158_785.txt)