Why Are Siblings So Different? Although two children may grow up in the same home, they experience the home environment in very different ways. Even an event that affects the entire family, such as divorce, unemployment, or a family move, may be experienced quite differently by each child in the family. Children are also influenced by varied experiences outside the home, such as their relationships with teachers, classmates, and friends. Illness and accidents are other nonshared environmental influences. Of course, sibling relationships are themselves a potential source of influence on personality development.
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