My sister, the youngest in my family, is loved by both my parents and is spoiled. My parents will listen to whatever my sister says and will always defend her. Whenever my sister decided to not do her homework and complained, I scolded her. She would always end up crying and my parents scolded me. I tried to discipline her, yet they would insist that I was wrong and I was too persistent. Just because I’m the oldest and she’s the youngest, I am told to go soft on her. My sister seems to take advantage of my parents, who have authority over me. In the end, my sister is the one on top of the power structure at home.
3 Responses to Assignment #3
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Within a family, there is always a form of hierarchy, between the parents and the siblings. Usually, when one sibling finds out that they have more power than the other, they use it to their advantage. This is clearly seen in this observation. It is not always the older or wiser one who wields power, but the one who is the baby of the family. The one the parents want to be more gentle to, shielding her away from the harsh world we live in.
These types of power plays tend to be present in families. I am very sorry that you have to go though that. But you have captured the power play in this scenario perfectly. Especially your last line “In the end, my sister is the one on top of the power structure at home.” Showed us who the authoritarian was. By the first couple of sentences many might guess that your sister has more power over you but your parents have more power over both of you. You prove that wrong by saying what you said in the last night. The idea of power play was well structured.
I agree with Katherine. My cousin has two sons and her youngest, a daughter. When I observe them during family outings, I notice that the youngest isn’t scolded as much as her older brothers. Maybe it’s because they’re boys, but I do see a hierarchy within the family. I see how the eldest son assumes the second parental figure, and is held responsible for any mistakes or bad behavior that his siblings display. When both parents aren’t around or at work, the eldest becomes the head of the house, but still is ever so gentle when it comes to correcting his younger sister’s mistakes.