Differential Treatment Sibling rivalry is a common problem many parents must deal with. Differential treatment of the children should be acknowledged when parents are experiencing rivalry among their children. Differential treatment is when parenting is different for each child. Children that experience this differential treatment may feel that one child is getting preferential treatment from one or both of the parents.
Research shows differential treatment is a leading cause of sibling rivalry.
However, parenting needs to be adjusted to each child's needs. If parents explain the reasons why one child is being treated differently, research has shown that the chance of rivalry is decreased. Once rivalry is apparent, parents can reduce it by explaining the reasons for the differential treatment. Parents may also reduce sibling rivalry by delegating specific times to spend with each child. These parent-child times may be anywhere from going to the movies to shopping.