Perception of Sibling Relationships and Birth Order Among Asian American and European American Emerging Adults

Drawing from an ecological systems framework, we qualitatively explored how Confucian-heritage Asian American emerging adults compared with non-Hispanic European American emerging adults on views of sibling relationships and birth order. Thematic analysis of 48 semistructured interviews revealed positive sibling relationship themes for both ethnocultural groups: mutual support, companionship, and appreciation; comfort from shared burden of negative parental interactions; and pride in one another. Birth order themes were also similar across the groups. Firstborns reported a strong pressure to be a role model to later-borns, provide sibling care, assume family responsibilities, and not expect to rely on younger siblings. Despite these similarities, Asian American firstborns were unique in taking comfort in having siblings who share a less traditional Asian cultural perspective than their parents. They also described additional pressure from being the oldest within an immigrant family.