Rivalry does seem to decrease as children get older. It is also thought that the closer in age the children are, the more rivalry there will be. There is generally more competitiveness between children who are close in age. While there is little parents can do to completely eliminate rivalry between their children, there are some steps that can be taken to minimize it. Why Sibling Rivalry Occurs Whether siblings fight a lot or a little, there is usually no one specific cause.
Rivalry occurs for a number of reasons.
They differ from family to family and from sibling to sibling. Here are some common reasons why siblings fight. Status - Many siblings fight for position in the family. Attention - Many siblings fight to get their parents' attention. Ownership - Many children fight over belongings, friends, and parents' time.