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Care and socialization between siblings – referred to as sibling care – is a social phenomenon in western pluralistic societies that for several reasons remains invisible. An important reason is that most studies of sibling relationships take place in research groups from similar socio-cultural backgrounds, i.e. white urban middle class with small families. By comparing sibling care in three groups in the Netherlands from diverse backgrounds, that is migrant (Turkish-Dutch), large families in a religious conservative fishing community (Urker-Dutch), and urban (Metropolitan-Dutch) the research aims to show diversity. Sibling care also lacks a clear picture; socialization processes between siblings have not been sufficiently described. Therefore, the study follows a qualitative approach from the perspective of siblings themselves and involves 19 women and 15 men, all young adult firstborns. The central question is: What variations exist in the perspective on sibling care of young adult firstborns in families with a Metropolitan, Urker, and Turkish background in the Netherlands? In chapter 1 (Introduction) the different choices are accounted for. Chapter 2 (Problem analysis) gives an overview of various categories of sibling roles in relation to sibling care. In particular four categories of sibling care: support, regulation, supervision, and modeling are highlighted.Next to characteristics of the relationship between siblings (age, birth order, gender) the socio-cultural context of the nuclear and extended family is considered, as are variations in cultural norms regulating sibling role responsibilities and behaviors. Chapter 3 (Methods) describes the qualitative methodology in more detail.Chapter 4 covers the findings of the study comparatively. Chapter 5 discusses the findings and draws conclusions. Both chapters cover variations in five specific subjects: the socio-cultural context in which the respondents grew up; contact and joint activities between siblings; cultural views on sibling and gender roles; socializing sibling care practices and learning sibling care in the nuclear and extended family. The main findings are the following. Sibling care manifests itself in various forms in the Netherlands. The dominant view on sibling care in western pluralistic societies like the Dutch is however only reflected in the perspective of the firstborns with a Metropolitan background and does not adequately represent the socio-cultural diversity that exists in the Netherlands. The study calls into question that differences in ethnic backgrounds may largely determine variations in sibling care. Metropolitan and Urker firstborns share an ethnicity but their sibling care practices differ widely. The study identifies great variability in sibling care regarding the role of the male firstborn. In the views of the Urker and Turkish firstborns, male firstborns have a specific role, which concerns supervision of the behavior of the siblings. A specific type of resistance is noted amongst female Turkish firstborns, who use rules of age hierarchy in the sibling relationship to oppose younger brothers or cousins also trying to supervise their behavior outside the home. Considering learning sibling care the study finds that only the learning process of the Turkish firstborns with its specific combination of targeted instruction by (grand)-parents, participation in tangible care activities and observing sibling care in the extended family can rightly be described as a training in sibling care. The study concludes that generally speaking the relationship between siblings is to be qualified as a context of socialization as well as care. Sibling socialization can take place through support, regulation, supervision and/or providing a role model and at times may also have an intentional character. In thus qualifying sibling care, the concept of sibling socialization in young adulthood has gained greater substance and meaning. The conclusion shows that it is relevant to include the role of siblings in research on ‘parenting’ processes in the family. |
