Effects of sibling rivalry can be lasting

I welcome “Bickering, Bloodsport of Siblings” [March 17] as an eye-opener to what happens in homes throughout America. I believe expert Charlotte Brantley is referring to amicable discussions and reasonable arguments. Yet I have witnessed horrible behavior that Brantley seems to believe is healthy and serves to prepare children for friendly marital relationships. Perhaps she has overlooked the vulgar language used.

If children are allowed to offend and disrespect each other, they are in essence training to overpower others by belittling, ridiculing and bullying. How can this prepare them for a good, respectful relationship with their spouse, co-worker or neighbor?

Our society is experiencing a daily assault on values and good behavior. We need to refrain from thinking that it is OK when siblings call each other inappropriate names. They may grow up to harass their spouse, ridicule their friends and make their own lives miserable while not understanding why they are doing it.

We need to instill respect in our children for all living things. It is not OK to disrespect the people that you should be closest to when you are growing up.

Vilma Acevedo

San Dimas

*

Our three boys (now 42, 37 and 35) must have behaved in every situation that Robin Greene Hagey wrote about. I actually thought that she had inside information and was writing about us. (And it was kind of weird that her name was Greene.)

The story gave us a lot of laughs and brought back memories. The part about one kid cutting and the other choosing worked great when there were only two around.

By the way, two of the boys have one son each. We can’t wait until they have more -- payback is sweet!

Milton Greene

La Jolla