Sibling estrangement is the breakdown of relationships between siblings. This breakdown can lead all the way from partial (low contact) to complete (no contact) alienation. There are a number of factors that contribute to sibling estrangement or alienation including the following (not an exhaustive list):
- Highly dysfunctional family units where children are raised in environments of chaos, neglect, rejection, and or lack of protection
- “Every person coping for themselves” situations of intense competition that breed jealousy and envy
- Parental favoritism
- Feelings of anger, frustration, and rage that children are afraid to express to parents that are then acted out on siblings
- Family roles and expectations – children can be “set up” by their parents for life long conflict
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Here is a great video that explains sibling issues that lead to estrangement in dysfunctional family systems. The “Lions Den – that crazy cacophony of dysfunction” between siblings is the direct result of toxic parenting. The bottom line: Whether you are the sibling who estranges or is estranged, unresolved trauma catches up with each one eventually.