Brothers and sisters in China: no longer the one-child family

Chen, Bin-Bin and Tan, Jo-Pei ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0555-7348 (2021) Brothers and sisters in China: no longer the one-child family. In: Brothers and Sisters: sibling relationships across the life course. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, pp. 185-201. ISBN 9783030559847 (hardcover); 9783030559878 (softcover); 9783030559854 (ebook)

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Abstract

Following the end of the one-child-policy in China in 2016 and the gradual relaxation of only-one child per family in selected areas prior to that, family composition and relationship dynamics, especially siblings relationship within the Chinese familial context has gone through a rapid growth and some significant changes as a result of the introduction of the two-child policy. This policy change, with the possibility of adding another child into the family may have profound implications on the family system, its functioning and care relations among those living in China (Chen in The second child: Family transition and adjustment. Shanghai Educational Publishing House, Shanghai, China, 2018). First, this chapter considers the existing studies related to Chinese familial culture within the context of its population policy that has dominated family life in China in the past three decades. This chapter will then review empirical findings on role of Chinese parents in the development of sibling's relationships such as sibling conflict and social comparison; how their co-parenting behaviour and personal siblings experience may hinder or promote better siblings' relations. The chapter will also draw on existing research findings on the adaptation and adjustments of Chinese firstborn children during this transition into siblinghood. Finally, the chapter summarises and discusses the unique characteristics of sibling relationships within the Chinese context and its implication for family dynamics and the development of the new generation in China. Themes for future investigation are also suggested.