The Benefits of Having a Sibling

[sherbearee]

Sibling relationships are known to vary between different cases. They are often stereotyped to be tumultuous, and oftentimes confusing. Having a sibling means that one shares a similar genetic makeup with an individual other than a parent - a notion that may provide some insight into the cause of certain behaviours between siblings. Afterall, the Darwinian impulse to differentiate flares up, even in "good" sibling relationships.This may help explain why some siblings attempt to diverge from the pathways of their sibling. Although siblings may experience conflict, studies have shown that ultimately, having a sibling contributes positively to various skill sets and impacts future judgements and decision-making.

1) Siblings impact the career pathways chosen by younger siblings.

Modelling behaviour occurs between younger siblings and their older brothers and sisters. It is also noted that this modelling behaviour is stronger for girls, suggesting that sex does matter when discussing the impact of sibling relationships. Furthermore, modelling behaviour may explain why many siblings choose to go into the same career pathways.This has shown that the positive sibling relationship impacts the career pathway chosen by the younger sibling.

2) Having a sibling can positively affect one’s academic successes.

Having a sibling, especially an older sibling, positively contributes to academic success. The older sibling can share experiences and aid the younger sibling in their education, possibly even more so than a parent. Due to the age similarity, children are more likely to imitate and learn from their siblings rather than parents. Furthermore, older siblings often function as a source of support for the younger sibling, both academically, and socially.

3) Interactions with siblings allows one to develop communication and conflict resolution skills faster.

Having a sibling can positively influence one’s ability to develop relationships with the opposite sex. Children who grow up with an opposite-sex sibling tend to sense, understand, and converse better with the opposite sex. This sibling relationship improves the communication skills of the individual, through interactions with one’s brother or sister. Furthermore, children observe and model the individuals around them, as illustrated through the famous Bobo doll experiment by Albert Bandura. Since individuals in one’s family are the first people one interacts with, it is likely that a child will first imitate family members. Along with vicarious reinforcement from observing others, such as a sibling, an individual will develop communication and conflict resolution skills.

All in all, having a sibling contributes positively to various skill sets and impacts the choice of career pathways, scholastic performance, and social interactions. Of course, no all siblings get along, but promoting strong sibling bonds can be greatly beneficial for both family dynamics as well as one’s own development.

[BaileyisDarcy]

I have four siblings (yes four. Unlike my father I will admit that my older sister exists)

I've met my older sister twice in my life.
My older brother and I are at ends.
My younger brother and sister look up to me and hate when they have to go home. Not taking me with them.

Having siblings can make or break you.

My older brother and I got along well until he got to around ten and turned into an arse. We stopped getting along. We're awkward around each other, especially now that I've moved out.

My younger sister, who is five, begs me to come home. Begs me to live with them again. The last time I stayed she had me read her a bed time story and threw a tantrum when her mother said no because I had to be driven to school in the morning. Because five more minutes is going to affect how well I wake up so damn much. She hugs me as tight as she can and gets so excited to see me. She's always hated being separated from family, but I've never seen her this bad.

My little brother is just cool. He's calm, level headed. Eleven years old and doing so much better than I was at his age. He understands why I don't live with them about as much as our little sister, but he doesn't ask. He doesn't push. He's simply accepted that this is the way it is and makes the most of what time we spend together. He teases me for being as short as he is tall. Six more months and he will be towering over me.

When I lived with my siblings every day I was forced to exercise patience. I've noticed exactly what has been dwindling since leaving. My patience. Having to deal everyday with a grumpy stepmother, equally grumpy brothers and a tantrumy little sister forced me to exercise my skills in patience. Without the constant badgering, annoyances, noise, questions, everything. My levels of putting up with things has gone down.

I can no longer say with pride that I have the patience of a person with siblings. I'm almost becoming bad enough to diagnose myself with OCS (Only Child Syndrome) almost. I don't have the arrogance or spoiled air to be diagnosed with OCS.

(Disclaimer: not all only child's have OCS. Do not mistake my diagnosis as believing all only children have this syndrome)

[sherbearee]

In sorry that the whole family-living thing didn't work out, but it does sound like you know where you're going.

[Prof_Don]

As THE oldest of 7 (4 brothers, 2 sisters ranging from age 22 to age 10), I can definitely say that my style of person has been affected by having younger siblings.

I have extremely high patience. I very much understand the cognitive abilities of children and adolescents of various ages. Conflict resolution. Communication skills. The ability to share. Negotiation and collaboration skills.

If I were an only child, I'd be a drastically different person!

[sherbearee]

That's cool, thanks for sharing !

[Prof_Don]

ever so welcome, shearbeare! :)

[AleDeEurope]

1) My sister went for Psychology, I went for Digital Art.

2) My sister was an A student, and I was almost a failure in school xD

3) This may be true, since I find it easy to talk with the opposite sex, and prefer their company.

A sibling is very beneficial overall, I love my sister (she's older than me) and I'm glad I'm not an only child.

[sherbearee]

aha I guess it depends on your personalities? But awesome to hear that you guys are close :)

[xXiTacoXx]

That last picture is so me. I've been trying to sell my brother since 1998. Shit... I wanted a puppy, not a sibling.
1) Is false.
2) Is false.
3) Also false. Get my brother and I in the same room and you'll see WW3 erupt.

[BaileyisDarcy]

That was my older brother and me when we were younger. Now you put us in a room and we just sit and stare at the purple elephant. Acknowledging its presence but refusing to do a thing about it.

[Leonskii]

LMAO!!! My brothers and I are nothing alike. And have very little to no impact on academics, socializing, or career pathway. My oldest brother is a teacher, older brother is studying to be an engineer, and I'm studying cyber security

[Nik1hil]

It's awesome to have siblings, I have 2 brother, Nothing more awesome feel. We are friends, and best buddies. We don't need much friends to hang out with. A couple of years more and we we go out on chick hunting together, each there wingman 😂

[John_Doesnt]

Interesting. And how are the "only child" people supposed to feel about this?

[sherbearee]

like me? left out, but not minding aha

[Anonymous]

My sister and I had each other for comfort in the times we were abused, beaten and neglected. We are not close anymore and never speak but there was a day when I loved her.

[sherbearee]

I'm sorry to hear that you no longer speak

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you. I am too. Maybe one day.

[sherbearee]

I really do hope so.

[Opinion Owner]

You're very kind.

[Anonymous]

when I was little I never wanted to have a sibling and when my sibling was like 8 or 9 years old he was mean to me were he used to boss me around and now he's older and he's nice but maybes sometimes there are times in my head when I think I sortive sometimes wish I was a only child and then are times when I think maybe it's ok having a sibling

[Anonymous]

This basically confirms what i thought. If you're the older sibling (like i am), you're not going to be as successful.

[xXiTacoXx]

;-; I know the feels my friend.

[Anonymous]

What if your older sibling (s) were physically and/or emotionally abusive towards you most of your life?

[sherbearee]

:( I'm guessing you would pursue a diverging path, to stay away from them?