Are Older Siblings Second Parents To Younger Ones

Yes, it is true that older siblings play an important role in a family unit; the younger ones learn a lot about how to go about the world from them as from their parents. Older siblings are role models for the young as they care for their younger ones when their parents are busy at work or otherwise occupied. It would be right to say that younger siblings learn as much about love, dislike, compromise, negotiation, coexistence and human differences from their older siblings as from parents.

Here are a few important points worth considering:

a) Younger siblings from the age of 18 months; the age their motor skills develop try to mimic the older sibling and pick up various skills like language, movement, social, relationship as well as playing a sport or musical instrument.

b) Younger siblings by imitating the older ones learn how to co-exist with others; treating the older one as a role model the younger siblings learn conflict resolution and empathy skills. It is also significant to note that younger siblings emulate the older one when it comes to handling peer pressure, with the older sibling introducing the younger ones to friends to provide the outlet for continued socialization. He/she may also act as a protector of the younger sibling to steer him/her off positive dangers both inside and outside the home.

c) Like it is said that behind every successful man is a woman, we could say that sometimes behind a successful younger sibling is an older one; the older sibling can be the person behind the successful academics or sports of a younger one by helping with homework and other scholastic and sports endeavors especially when in families where both parents work. Also younger siblings are more likely to model the study habits of their older siblings.

d) Besides the good traits that younger siblings could pick up from the older ones, older siblings are also an influence for developing antisocial or undesirable behaviors in the younger siblings. The younger sibling could pick up unwanted habits such as smoking, underage drinking, underage sex and delinquency from an older sibling and their friends. Bullying by the older sibling could affect the younger one by creating social and emotional problems in him/her. It is however seen at times the younger sibling turns strong to not emulate and develop individualistic attributes.  

e) Quite the opposite to the previous attribute older siblings who are positive role models can also be a deterrent to delinquency, risk taking, drug abuse and other problem behavior in the younger one; this is particularly true when the younger sibling looks up to the older one, with the older one offering useful advice as to how to avoid these habits and future mistakes.

Finally the question arises as to how an only child develops without the help of older sibling. An only child is influenced more by both parents, influence of peer and playmates.