Who Will Care for Your Parents? For You? When and Why Siblings Disappoint

As parents age, their offspring often struggle with caretaking responsibilities. In most families, siblings don’t contribute equally to the care of their parents. The research on the subject shows that the share is often disproportionate, creating resentment and argument between siblings.

In her study, “Conflict and Cooperation Among Adult Siblings During the Transition to the Role of Filial Caregiver,” Deborah Merrill, associate professor of sociology at Clark University, reported that only o...