Child Development

From infancy all the way up through teen years, children are growing, developing, and maturing: Physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Nearly everything observed and experienced have some if not great influence on a child. But does the observation of and experiences with any single person have greater influence than others? Its understandable that while growing up, every child has an idol; someone to look up to, learn from, to want to grow up and be like. The most obvious candidates are notably authority figures, such as parents, teachers or coaches, also icons likes movie stars and sport athletes. I’m curious though, about the influence an older sibling might have on their younger siblings.   Is a younger brother or sister more likely to drink alcohol, smoke, or try illegal drugs if their older brother does? Do the choices they make mirror the choices made by their older siblings? It can be assumed that the people closest to the child and around the most will have the most influence, but an older sibling by nature is an automatic role model. Can an older sibling effect the entire domineer of a child, such that it can determine and define certain characteristics of their younger siblings personality, such as self confidence. Child Development specialists have suggested that first-born children often feel pressured to succeed, while second born children express feelings of inadequacy (Wallace, 1999). What true effects and influences does having an older sibling around have on a child’s development?  
The many close supportive relationships children form with family members are essential to their development. Research shows most children in the United States grow up in families with at least one brother or sister and there is growing evidence that the sibling relationship provides a positive socialization context for children throughout childhood and adolescence (Dunn, 1998). Although when thinking of siblings you often think of the jealous and competitive... [continues]

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