Because we care : Exploring care and well-being with siblings of children with life-limiting conditions through philosophical inquiry

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Cassidy, Claire and Dwyer, Cillian and Fraser, Lorna and Robinson, Anna (2026) Because we care : Exploring care and well-being with siblings of children with life-limiting conditions through philosophical inquiry. Childhood and Philosophy, 22. pp. 1-26. e202694817. ISSN 1984-5987 (https://doi.org/10.12957/childphilo.2026.94817)

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Abstract

The experiences of siblings of children with life-limiting conditions have received increasing attention in recent years. However, their conceptualisation of well-being and care has received limited attention. This article shares findings from a project with a small group of children who have siblings with life-limiting conditions. Uniquely, the siblings explored concepts of care and well-being through a series of philosophical dialogues and complementary art activities. Four main themes were central to the siblings’ ways of thinking about care and well-being: being your own person, life is an emotional rollercoaster, love is complex, and together we are stronger. The key message that was central to the ways in which the siblings understand care and well-being is that love drives caring behaviour, and that we should care for others, not because they have particular needs, but because we are human. Understanding how siblings of children with life-limiting conditions think about notions of care and well-being ensure that this under-represented group is heard, and that in attending to them, families and others who care for and about them are better able to meet their needs with a view to them living well.

ORCID iDs

Cassidy, Claire ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3088-1721, Dwyer, Cillian, Fraser, Lorna and Robinson, Anna ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6992-3629;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)