Making Friends in FamilyWHEN Joan gave birth to the first boy in her family in three generations, sh
WHEN Joan gave birth to the first boy in her family in three generations, she and her husband were ecstatic. So were her parents. Joan expected her older sister, Sally, to be just as delighted. Joan had always worshiped Sally the beauty and the star of the family and rejoiced in her achievements.
But since the babys arrival, the sisters have become distant. Joan feels hurt that Sally seems completely uninterested in little Andrew. Sally, who had no children, claims that her younger sister acts as if no one ever had a baby
before .
Neither Sally nor Joan understands that the sudden reversal in their family roles is the real cause of the current chill. Joan has finally outdone her dominant older sister and Sally doesnt like it! Their distance may be temporary, but it shows that childhood rivalry isnt always outgrown. It can remain a strong ingredient in sibling relationships throughout life.
In a study at the University of Cincinnati, 65 men and women between ages 25 and 93 were asked how they felt about their brothers and sisters. Nearly 75 percent admitted harboring rivalrous feelings. In a few cases, these emotions were sufficiently intense to have affected their entire lives.
Many adult brothers and sisters are close, supportive and affectionate yet still need to compete. Two brothers I know turn into killers when on opposite sides of a tennis net. Off the court, they are the best of friends. My own younger sister never fails to tell me when Ive put on weight.. However, shes a terrible cook and that pleases me; I outdo myself when she comes to dinner. Happily, despite these small failings, we have been an important resource for one
another.
In between the intensely rivalrous and the generally supportive siblings lie those who relate in an irritable manner that no friendship should survive. Some brothers and sisters stay at arms length, but always stop short ot ending ties completely. Why do these puzzling, unproductive, often painful relationships
persist?
In part because the bonds forged in childhood remain powerful even after siblings have grown up and gone their separate ways. These relationships are so intimate that the participants share a closeness unlike any other. But along with the affection contributing to that closeness, there is room for anger, jealousy and resentment.
Stephen Bank, a family therapist and co-author with Michael D. Kahn of The Sibling Bond, explains why: There are few adults who dont believe deep down that a sibling got more of something than they did parental love, advantages, brains, looks. It could be true, but it really doesnt matter. If, as adults, theyre successful enough to feel on an equal footing, siblings can give each other a great deal. If not, unresolved feelings can distort their relationships.
The need for parental love is as instinctive as breathing, and the struggle to keep it all for yourself begins with the birth of a younger sister or brother. According to Bank, when the rivalry between adult siblings achieves neurotic
proportions, it can usually be traced back either to marked parental favoritism or to one siblings conviction that the other is superior.
A study of adult sisters, described in the book Sisters by Elizabeth Fishel, points up how important it is for parents to treat their children even-handedly. Those sisters who reported the best relationships were the ones who said there had been no favoritism, no parental comparisons and no pitting of one child against another.
Social scientists who have studied adult sibling relationships say it is common for them to blow hot and cold. Situations that might be expected to bring them together the birth of a child, the illness or death of a parent are well known for reviving old rivalries.
Instead of uniting in their concern for an ill parent, siblings often quarrel bitterly over who provides the most care, financial support or affection, according to Victor Cicirelli, a Purdue University Psychologist. And probate lawyers say the bitterest quarrels erupt when siblings have to divide a parents personal property.
The break between Jill and Patty might have been closed by now if Jills husband hadnt been so quick to take his wifes side. If spouses want to be constructive when siblings quarrel, they need to remain emotionally neutral, Bank advises. Its a line to be supportive, provided they remember the goal is to help their mates be more objective and not inflame feelings further.
As they get older, many adults say they wish they were on better terms with brothers or sisters. In the next breath, however, they add that its probably impossible. We always get hung up on the same old sore points is a
familiar lament .
That neednt be true, says Bank. Almost any relationship can be
improved if people are willing to put energy into making it more satisfying.
People must recognize that their childhood rivalries are left over from a struggle
that was very likely the fault of neither. If they can see that, it will help them to
stop feeling guilty or blaming each other the way they did at age twelve.
Siblings often hesitate to disclose long-concealed feelings of anger or
jealousy, inferiority or guilt. But after these feelings are brought out, theres a
much better chance to improve the relationship.
Speaking out honestly about rivalrous feelings is the first step, says Bank. But its essential to get beyond accusations and talk positively about what each might do to improve things. People often dont let their siblings know how much they care, Bank adds. Dont be afraid to say, I really love you, he advises. And show your affection a hug, a compliment or a thoughtful gift can heal a lot of wounds.
When siblings can get past their rivalries, they may find they are bound by closer, longer lasting ties than those with any other person in their lives. Im deeply thankful that my sister and I are friends, although weve also seen each other through rough times in ways no one else could. Someday, she may be the only person I know who remembers a long-ago Christmas or laughs at the same jokes. I dont think Ill even mind if she tells me Im putting on weight.
1. According to the passage, competition between siblings plays a powerful role in the sibling relationships in ones entire life.
2. When siblings have grown up, they will easily forget their childhood rivalries and be on better terms with each other.
3. The way parents treat their children affects, to a great extent, sibling relationships.
4. The author and her sister are friendly with each other because their parents always treat them even-handedly.
5. There are little rivalries between the siblings who are close, supportive and affectionate.
6. Parental favoritism and a belief that the other is superior may trigger childhood competition which may last even at adulthood.
7. It is beneficial to sibling relationships if a husband shows support to his wife when she quarrels with her sister.
8. Sallys attitude when Joan had a baby is______.
9. Self-disclosure brings the opportunities to better the______.
10. The more you put on the relationship, the more satisfying it will be.
答案:I. Y 2. N 3. Y 4. NG 5. N 6. Y 7. N 8. uninterested 9. sibling relationship 10. energy
你竟然泄露消息给竞争对手:VOA职场口语
隐形眼镜太难戴了:VOA职场口语
你看起来像二十岁的姑娘:VOA职场口语
出租车司机能听懂你说的话吗:VOA职场口语
我觉得我不适合做销售工作:VOA职场口语
我想辞去销售部经理的职务:VOA职场口语
职场英语学习:Considering different ways to react对他人不幸的回复
职场英语学习:八卦新上司有外遇
生病看医生口语:外企英语300句(13)
职场美语:be over the hump 已度过难关
职场英语学习:徐静蕾掀起杜拉拉职场风
问路英语口语:外企英语300句(11)
我看我是趕不上火車了:VOA职场口语
原来是你干的啊:VOA职场口语
职场英语学习:Accepting advice接受建议
职场英语学习:You might see if...职场妈妈如何改掉孩子的电视瘾
众人拾柴火焰高:VOA职场口语
办公室太凶残:11种行为你被"谋杀"在办公室
担心网上支付的安全问题:VOA职场口语
用英语谈论某事的日期和时间安排:外企英语口语300句
询问同事日常生活英语:外企英语300句(9)
职场英语学习:秘书给主任捎口信
我心里别提多高兴了:VOA职场口语
职场英语:什么时间发邮件最好?(图解)
寻求帮助英语22句:外企英语300句
从没见过技术这么烂的小偷:VOA职场口语
职场英语学习:办公室午餐时间帮同事带快餐
我考虑一下这件事然后再给你答复:VOA职场口语
除了等待就没有别的办法了吗:VOA职场口语
我家门锁被砸坏了:VOA职场口语
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |