Milardo’s Research on Aunts, Uncles Cited in News-Press Parenting Column
Research by Robert Milardo, a professor of family relations at the University of Maine, was cited in a News-Press parenting column about the important role aunts and uncles play in children’s lives. Milardo’s writings show aunts and uncles help parents care for their children, give parents breaks and lend advice to both children and adults, according to the article. “Not all nieces and nephews are close with uncles and aunts, but for some, their relationships are truly extraordinary — they fuse elements of parent-like obligations with friendship,” Milardo said. “When adult siblings have reasonably close relationships, without question everyone can benefit.”