[Date (January 1, 2014)]
Learning is a journey that never ends. It has always been the only way for human development. The first pearls of wisdom were earned at home. We had our own unique set of teachers even before we stepped inside a classroom. Family, being the first models in our life, plays that vital and irreplaceable role. Refreshing the memories of childhood normally brings us to numerous times of playing with either a brother, sister, cousin, or neighbor. Generally, the siblings contribute the most influence. It is undoubtedly true that we needed all the guidance we could get. Though, there are things best explored first-handedly. It is like learning how to ride a bike wherein a sibling is a friend that holds your back. It starts slowly at first and then you get the feel of it, pedal by pedal. On the other hand, you seat yourself, get hurt in the process, then, you unhinge those training wheels off and venture out the world at full speed at your own phase.
During growing-up years, an older sibling is but natural to have more experience. It is also human nature to pass down seasoned knowledge to someone important to them. A person has nothing to lose by taking heed of a good fated advice. An old hand’s aid is welcome to an open mind. Familial assistance, more often than not, is generally helpful and assuring. It provides companionship that is needed in a person’s life. Furthermore, it is usual that a first friend and enemy are found in the persona of a brother or a sister. It may be hard at times to abide authority as it feels oppressing and restricting. It gets to a point where it becomes a source of irritation. In the case of someone eldest, they sometimes take over the part of a secondary parent. Based on experience, it was often easy to be commanding for those people. Someone younger would normally hold them to a high esteem. Unfortunately in some cases, wanting for parental affection compels an older sibling to show outright superiority which stems to sibling rivalry. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, feeling out shadowed by a new member of the family induces an older sibling to feel threatened. This insecurity would bring about the need to grab attention. This contributes to questionable and sometimes unreasonable orders from siblings that ensues conflict. It adds complexity between relationships among family members that makes it hard to distinguish genuine concern from self-interest. In the end, it all goes back to intention.
In my opinion, solicited help is always the best option in offering a sisterly or a brotherly counsel. Meanwhile, it also won’t hurt to discover completely on your own. Nothing beats the feeling of independence. Older siblings might be doing a disservice when they dictate their younger counterparts to follow a course of action every time. An occasion will arise when the younger sibling is faced of a problem with nobody to direct him/her. A common saying states that the only person with you the summation of your lifetime is yourself.
A person receives self-confidence through personal accomplishments. This is the reason why most people were eager to take on challenges without any outside help. It gives the liberation of knowing that they are capable of responsibility. A comic book authored by Lynda Barry illustrated two sisters arguing about a science project. The older child was insensitive in correcting and predicting her younger sister’s wrong ideas. At the end, the older girl came out right while the younger sister was left heartbroken and humiliated (“Knowing Things”). This demonstrated an example of leaving children to their own devices to learn. Letting someone fail because they stood up to what they believe in, was letting someone fail with dignity. It was always better to keep quiet even if you knew better in order to give chance to other people’s ability. This recipe allows a child to appreciate success by experiencing failures at the beginning.
All these transpire most commonly during the time of youth, where a child is still yet to learn. Inside the house, we were exposed to all the personalities that we have to deal with. This is the stage of shaping and molding of traits and virtues. Being brothers and sisters does not stop when you leave the house. Still, it was a momentous period when you live with them. What better way to make the most out of it than to absorb what they have to say about life. This would additionally prevent a person from performing the same errors that were committed. This short time of childhood under the same roof will never be repeated.
However, early autonomy establishes an easy passage to adulthood. This is the proper time to show natural inclinations and talents in preparation for the future. This hones critical thinking more effectively as primary years are like a blank canvass waiting to be filled. Originality matures and it is applied well for the later years.
Acting as a guardian was never bad. Looking out for your younger brothers and sisters is one of the best principles a person can have, even possibly the proudest. It showed that you cared and invested time to straighten a person. Some would make it completely by themselves. It will be the loneliest and most long-winded road anyone can take. On the other hand, too much encouragement of reliance is a serious mistake. It would take away the possibility of discovering other, if not better, ways of tackling one’s own problems. It may also impede the character’s improvement and the opportunity to explore and find individuality. Taking in the responsibility of teaching bears the weight of deciding when to stop. You can only lead a person to knowledge. It is never dictated, forced, or bought. Older siblings are just ushers to their younger siblings. They are there for support. It is up to the person to carve a path and make a mark in this world.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Sibling Rivalry (psychology)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2014.
Barry, Lynda. "Knowing Things." Come Over, Come over. New York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1990. N. pag. Print.
