Sibling Identity and Relationships: Sisters and Brothers

What does it mean to be a sister or a brother, and are such relationships born or made? What do children and young people see as the defining features of their sibling relationships, and how does this relate to social context? Sibling Identity andRelationshipsexplores the special place that siblings occupy in the lives of children and young people and provides new insights into sibling identity and relationships. Drawing on social constructionist and psychodynamic perspectives, it discusses who constitutes a sibling, emotional connections and separations, conflict and aggression and how siblings construct and conduct their relationship out of the home, at school and in local communities Sibling Identity and Relationshipsexplores the ways that siblings are important for children and young people's social and emotional sense of self in relation to others, throwing light on broader debates about social and psychic divisions in wider society. This book will appeal toacademics and students of childhood studies and social work as well as health and social care professionals.

Melanie Mauthner is Lecturer in Social Policy in the Faculty of Social Sciences at The Open University, UK. Helen Lucey is Lecturer in Social Psychology at The Open University, UK. Lucy Hadfield is currently Research Fellow in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University, UK. Rosalind Edwards is Professor in Social Policy and Director of the Families & Social Capital ESRC Research Group, London South Bank University, UK.