Where is the line?: Perceptions of sibling violence

• In Event: Examining Perceptions and Depictions of Violence

Abstract

Sibling violence is likely the most common form of family violence, yet relatively few studies have examined this phenomena. In fact, it is unclear to many people what type of behavior constitutes “normal/non-harmful” sibling violence and what behavior is abusive or has long-term negative consequences. In the current study, college students from a southern university were interviewed about their experiences with siblings. Most participants were young, White women. Participants discussed their own and their siblings’ use of physical violence. They were asked about the frequency, severity, and common causes of physical fights. Although some engaged in serious violence, very few saw the violence as abusive or abnormal. However, when asked, they were able to distinguish a difference between acceptable violence and violence that “crosses the line” into problematic behavior. Generally, what they deemed unacceptable violence had to do with the relationship between siblings (e.g., whether or not siblings got along with one another most of the time) and the severity of violence.

Authors

• Courtney McDonald, Georgia Southwestern State University

• Katherine Martinez, Metropolitan State University of Denver