The sibling effect: what the bonds among brothers and sisters reveal about us

Band of brothers--and sisters -- Stocking the team : siblings in a growing family -- The outbreak of hostilities : why siblings fight and what to do about it -- Who's on first? : the mysteries of birth order -- The golden child : favoritism and its consequences -- Breaking up : brothers, sisters, and divorce -- Patching up: the blended family -- Misguided guidance : drugs, pregnancy, and other risk behaviors -- Running the asylum : when siblings raise siblings -- If you show me yours ... sibs, sex, and gender -- Paired and pared : the curious worlds of twins and singletons -- And on and on ... siblings through the years.;This work explores what scientists and researchers are discovering about sibling bonds, the longest-lasting relationships we have in our lives. Nobody affects us as deeply as our brothers and sisters, not parents, not children, not friends. From the time we, and they, are born, our siblings are our collaborators and co-conspirators, our role models and cautionary tales. [...]They teach us how to resolve conflicts and how not to, how to conduct friendships and when to walk away. Our siblings are the only people we know who truly qualify as partners for life. In this book, the author, a science writer explores the complex world of siblings in a way that is equal parts science, psychology, sociology, and memoir. Based heavily on new and emerging research, the book examines birth order, twin studies, genetic encoding of behavioral traits, emotional disorders and their effects on, and effects from, sibling relationships, and much more. -- From publisher description.