The order of our birth, a small or big difference between us and older (younger) brothers (sisters), according to the author, are factors that largely determine our personality, our choice of partner and life path in general.
“If we do not know our own history, we are doomed to perceive it as our personal destiny,” Swedish psychologist Elisabeth Schönbeck quotes philosopher Hannah Arendt. Our history includes our personal place in the family and the sibling positions of our parents and grandparents. The order of our birth, a small or big difference between us and older (younger) brothers (sisters), according to the author, are factors that largely determine our personality, our choice of partner and life path in general. Elisabeth Schoenbeck works with children from large families, she carefully describes the feelings and behavior of each child — the only, first, middle, youngest, twin brother … And besides, she explains different parenting strategies for each of these children. The confidential intonation of the book is strengthened by the frank statements of the children themselves. For example, this one: “I don’t like it when someone hits my little brother. It’s like only I have the right to do this” (Nora, 8 years old). “My mother is really just a little girl who grew up by chance” (Annika, age 8).
LOMONOSOV, 240 p.