Sibling Solidarity in the Working Class

Abstract

Evidence for the thesis that sibling solidarity is a characteristic of American kinship is not conclusive. In particular, data on interaction among siblings and spouse's siblings is lacking. In an attempt to clarify the nature of sibling solidarity, this study of interaction patterns among a white, urban working-class sample suggests that previously held notions should be altered insofar as this location in the class structure is concerned. Siblings simply are not available for interaction in the metropolitan area for a large proportion of the sample. The sibling bond is not sustained at the same level throughout the life cycle, but appears to become less prevalent among older people. The presence or absence of the conjugal tie plays the crucial role in interaction among collaterals. Sibling interaction may be compensatory upon the disruption of marriage, rather than, as some have claimed, the focal kinship relation in itself.

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