Is sibling fighting normal?

So I was talking to my friend the other day, and I casually mentioned how my older brother still hits me when we fight like he did when we were kids. (Granted, he doesn't all out punch me with all of his strength or anything. He usually slaps me, so I slap him back.) She immediately got extremely concerned, and said that that wasn't normal. My brother is 21, and I am 19. I don't find it abnormal at all. Siblings fight after all, right?

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freeb · 61-69, M

"I don't find it abnormal at all." and you're exactly right. If it doesn't hurt you, great, if it does, tell him, I"m sure he's not even aware you're being hurt. I have 2 younger sisters, and we still have the same type of bond and relationship you speak of.

marilynmichelle · F

@freeb Generally when I tell him that it hurts he goes "No it didn't.. I didn't even hit you that hard."

freeb · 61-69, M

@marilynmichelle then you need to tell him, in a serious way, that it hurts you. Make it clear to him. Everybody is different

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@marilynmichelle Wait a minute! HE does not get to judge how much pain YOU feel! Only you know that. And [i]any[/i] complaint about any degree of violence should be respected and taken seriously. This is the classic response of an abuser; they tend to minimize whatever they do and accuse you of being too sensitive. But the truth is, any kind of hitting among adults is a violation of the victim's personal space and boundaries and essentially an act of dominance. Most adults do not consider this acceptable.