Reasons why siblings are our best friends

If you are an only child, then you didn’t have to share your toys or worry about receiving hand-me-downs from older siblings. But if you did have siblings, you know all about fighting over hot water, food, living space, TV and fair treatment from your parents.

So what is it about our siblings? We often grow up in the same house, share the same bathroom, eat the same food, and swim in the same genetic pool, but we turn out so differently.

Even twins are different. My two brothers are twins. Although they share the same birthdays and many of the same interests, they are different. One is quiet and not as social as his twin. According to Doctor Avidan Milevsky of Psychology Today, “Sibling de-identification is when children actively choose to follow a path that is strikingly different than the path pursued by their siblings.” He adds, “Siblings may actively strive to create differences between themselves in order to defend against sibling rivalry.” 

For instance, consider a family who raised a doctor, lawyer and a construction worker. What happened? Two earned college degrees while their sibling picked up a hammer, nails and went to work after high school.

Even more unusual is when the three brothers get together, they don’t talk shop. Instead, they will bond over beers, wings and scream at whatever sporting event is on the television. They will then revert to their childhood and have a wonderful time.

Afterward, the brothers will go home and return to their lives. Days of sharing a bunk bed and fighting over the last cookie have become memories. And loyalty? As children, many older siblings torment their younger siblings. But no else better try it unless they want a busted lip. 

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