Sibling rivalry is the jealousy, competition, and fighting between brothers and sisters.
Sibling abuse is the most common but least reported abuse in the family. Prevalence is higher than spousal or child abuse combined with consequences well into adulthood similar to parent-child abuse. Up to 80 percent of youth experience some form of sibling maltreatment; yet, it's been called the "forgotten abuse." Therapists also frequently overlook it. Usually, the perpetrator is an older child (often the eldest) exploiting the emotional dependence and weakness of a younger sibling. Girls are at greater risk of abuse, generally by an older brother. When a brother abuses a sister, it often involves physical or sexual abuse. Sisters abuse one another also.
There is often an emotional component to sibling violence, as well. Frequently, the aggression begins as "teasing," which might include ridiculing, insulting, threatening, terrorizing, and belittling a younger or less powerful sibling. Sometimes, a child will destroy a younger sibling's property as a means to incite violence. Sibling violence appears to occur more frequently than violence between parents and children or spousal abuse.
This book aims to increase the knowledge of sibling abuse, because raised knowledge, for instance, will aid in a better parent education curriculum and benefit co-parenting education for parents.