SWK 2210 Family Systems, Sibling Relationships and Sibling Abuse: Developmental and Contextual Considerations
In this course we will examine sibling dynamics through a biopsychosocial framework and systems perspective exploring the contact and impact of the family and the implications for development. The focus throughout the course will be understanding the interplay of the dynamics between systems: parent-child system, the parental system, the sibling system, and the impact on the individual sibling's development. Attention will be paid to the multi-dimensional aspects of sibling relationships and their impact on functioning, relational development, and socialization.
The purpose of this course is to integrate knowledge of the development tasks and challenges of middle childhood and adolescence and the influence of the family environment to generate an understanding as to how the quality of sibling relationships may be facilitated or hindered by these factors. Emphasis will be on the influence of the caregiving relationship to sibling and variation of gender constellations and expectations. Attention will also be paid to birth order, positive development aspects of sibling relations, normative sibling rivalry, and sibling abuse.
Distribution
Social Work