I grew up in a household with 2 brothers. I was the oldest. One thing it seemed we were good at was arguing and fighting. When I look back,how my mother and grandmother (who lived with us) put up with us while maintaining their sanity absolutely astounds me,and now having been a parent myself,my awe and respect for them increases through the years.
Sometimes it would all start by me exercising big brother privilege, I was the master tease.Other times it was the younger ones provoking this one into action. It could be over who got to watch what on tv,grades,football,friends,and as we got older, politics,but start it would,and once 3 headstrong independently minded brothers would go at it,it would be the proverbial hell being let loose...at least for a moment..
Once it started,it wouldn't be long before the parents would step in.Action by my mom or grandmother would be decisive,and as the oldest, one thing would become quite clear over time..I might win the physical fight,and at times I might have been"justified" in my actions,but inevitably,I would get the brunt of the punishment.
It was a way of learning that in war,even the "winners" lose and that war and violence is futile.
