Figurative - the channels are not literal or physical.
It is fair to ask siblings to step into the role of parents. If a parent isn’t doing their job right as a parent, asking an older sibling may be essential to help yourself grow to be a well functioning individual. It also doesn’t have to be an older sibling, younger siblings can be capable of helping they’re older siblings. It is most common for older siblings to help they’re younger siblings.
A central idea of a text is the author's overall idea that is presented throughout the text that is thoroughly supported.
