Sibling

A sibling is a relative that shares at least one parent with the other person. A male sibling is a brother, and a female sibling is a sister. A person with no siblings is an only child.

A sister (female sibling) carrying her brother (male sibling).

While some circumstances can cause siblings to be raised separately (such as foster care), most societies have siblings grow up together. This causes the development of strong emotional bonds, with siblinghood considered a unique type of relationship. The emotional bond between siblings is often complicated and is influenced by factors such as parental treatment, birth order, personality, and personal experiences outside the family.[1]

Medically, a full-sibling is a first-degree relative and a half-sibling is a second-degree relative as they are related by 50% and 25%, respectively.[2][3]

  1. ^ Mersky Leder, Jane (Jan–Feb 1993). "Adult Sibling Rivalry". Psychology Today. Archived from the original on December 11, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2006.
  2. ^ "First, Second and Third Degree Relative". www.bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Inc.
  3. ^ "CONSANGUINITY / AFFINITY CHART" (PDF). University of Alabama at Birmingham.