UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2004 Sibling relationships in remarried families Monique C. Diderich Balsam University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Balsam, Monique C. Diderich, "Sibling relationships in remarried families" (2004). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 2614. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/11qa-57n8 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS IN REMARRIED FAMILIES by Monique C. Diderich Balsam Masters of Arts University of Groningen, The Netherlands 1997 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in the Sociology Department of Sociology College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 2005 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3194247 Copyright 2005 by Balsam, Monique 0. Diderich All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 3194247 Copyright 2006 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © Copyright by Monique 0. Balsam 2005 All rights reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dissertation Approval U N iy The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas The Dissertation prepared by Monique C. Diderich Balsam Entitled Sibling Relationships in Remarrfmd FamiH is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Ph D of Sociology Examination Committee Chair Dean o f the Graduate College u Examination Committee Member Examination Committee Member f jn / %---- 7 3 .^ Po'TK IaJ / ll> A k<3 Ia/I Graduate College Faculty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Sibling Relationships in Remarried Families by Monique C. Diderich Balsam Dr. Donald E. Cams, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Sociology University of Nevada, Las Vegas This research project examines how different types of sibling relationships, that is, full siblings, half siblings and stepsiblings, develop within remarried families. The study focuses on three types of sibling solidarity: functional (i.e., instrumental help and assistance); associational (i.e., frequency of contact); and affectual (i.e., emotional closeness). The study further analyzes the effects of sibship size, proximity, birth order, marital status and age and gender on the three forms of solidarity, and relies on five middle range theories (attachment theory, family systems theory, rational choice, social comparison, and evolutionary theory). The study is based on participant observation in a Blended Family Workshop, personal accounts of college freshmen reflecting on their family of orientation, and data from the General Social Survey of 1986, 1994, and 2002. The majority of respondents identify a full sibling close in age (a 3 year difference) as their favorite sibling. When the favorite sibling is a half sibling or stepsibling, the age difference between respondent and sibling is much larger Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. (about 7 and 11 years respectively). The results indicate that full sibling bonds are stronger than half sibling and stepsibling bonds. Respondents who grew up in remarried families cite functional solidarity as the major reason why a certain sibling is their favorite. Children who experience trauma such as death or divorce turn to their sibling(s) for instrumental help and assistance. They are resilient and form close bonds with their full siblings and sometimes with half siblings and stepsiblings. Divorce and remarriage do not scar children for life. While remarried family life definitely has its challenges, especially in the first few years, I found that remarried families are beneficial for children as articulated in many positive statements of respondents reared in this type of family. Being part of a remarried family does not affect the ability to develop close bonds with siblings. I conclude that the notion of family and ties among siblings are still perceived as important and valuable in our contemporary American society. IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT..................................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................vil DEDICATION.............................................................................................................vili ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................... Ix CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................1 Background ...........................................................................................................6 Methodology ........................................................................................................11 Practical Implications and Significance ............................................................13 Structure of the Study ........................................................................................14 CHAPTER 2 CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY VIEWS................................. 16 Classic Views on Marriage and the Family ...................................................... 16 Contemporary Views on Marriage and the Family ......................................... 22 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................48 CHAPTER 3 SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS...........................................................51 Sibling Differentiation .........................................................................................53 Family Constellation and Parental Factors ...................................................... 56 Children’s Perspectives ......................................................................................62 Quality of Sibling Relationships .........................................................................67 Sibling Solidarity and Rivalry Across Cultures ................................................. 70 Sibling Relationships after Divorce and Remarriage ...................................... 73 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 78 CHAPTER 4 METHODS.......................................................................................83 Qualitative Research .......................................................................................... 84 Blended Families Workshop .............................................................................. 89 Family of Orientation Project ............................................................................. 91 Quantitative Research ........................................................................................ 93 General Social Survey (GSS) ............................................................................ 96 CHAPTER 5 RESULTS........................................................................................99 Findings from the Blended Family Workshop .................................................. 99 Findings from Family of Orientation Project ...................................................109 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Family....................................................................................................... 110 Siblings in Remarried Families ...............................................................112