Early thinking regarding sibling abuse characterized it as.
A. relatively benign.
B. extremely serious.
C. a rare form of family violence.
D. a crime.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: A. relatively benign
Explanation (300 words):
Early thinking regarding sibling abuse largely characterized it as relatively benign. For a long time, sibling conflict—including physical and emotional aggression—was viewed as a normal part of childhood and family life. It was often dismissed as harmless rivalry or typical sibling squabbles that helped children learn social skills, compromise, or resilience.
This perception contributed to a lack of recognition of sibling abuse as a serious form of family violence. Unlike parental abuse or spousal abuse, aggression between siblings was rarely examined through a lens of power imbalance or trauma. Adults—including parents, educators, and even some professionals—often minimized such incidents, considering them developmental rather than abusive.
However, more recent research has shown that sibling abuse can have serious, long-term consequences, particularly when it is chronic, one-sided, and involves physical harm, emotional manipulation, or sexual misconduct. Victims of sibling abuse may suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, PTSD, and difficulty forming trusting relationships later in life.
Despite these findings, the early minimization of sibling abuse meant it went underreported and undertreated. This also explains why it took longer for sibling abuse to gain recognition in academic literature, therapeutic settings, and legal frameworks compared to other types of domestic violence.
Some forms of sibling abuse—especially sexual abuse—have begun to be taken more seriously in recent decades, but emotional and physical abuse between siblings can still be overlooked, especially when parents themselves were raised with the idea that such behaviors are just part of growing up.
In summary, early conceptualizations of sibling abuse were flawed due to a dismissive attitude, labeling it as a benign or even helpful experience. Only more recently has the seriousness of sibling abuse been acknowledged, prompting calls for more awareness, intervention, and family education.