The Sibling Connection
Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide
When it comes to our siblings, we often think of sibling rivalry. But the sibling connection is much more. It is mysterious, complex, and constantly changing. Our siblings are major players in our lives and impact everything from our choice of profession to our choice of a husband, wife, or partner. Siblings are reflections of ourselves and help us better understand who we are, why we are, and the way we are.
After writing about my brother’s suicide, I figured that I’d put all the sibling stuff behind me. No chance. Several years later, I returned to the subject of brothers and sisters because I still had so many questions about the role we play in each other’s lives from childhood through old age. I wanted to understand the ways in which I am who I am because of my siblings—and, yes, why they are the way they are. I wanted to explore the pros and cons of being an only child. I was curious about whether or not birth order is more accurate than not. So many questions. Thanks to hundreds of other siblings and experts in the field, I found answers that I wanted to share.