Having a sister makes you a better person, according to science.
If you have a sister, you probably simultaneously want to hug her and strangle her!
Because while they're often our best friend, no one can wind us up quite like our sister.
But it seems having a sister is actually good for you.
Having a sister makes you a better person
The research, which was conducted by the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University, revealed that having a sister makes you more caring and compassionate, and has a positive impact on your social behaviours.
It also discovered that sisters can help our mental health because they encourage us to talk about our feelings.
Sisters can help us feel less alone, less self-conscious, and more wanted.
Speaking about the study, assistant professor Alex Jensen said: “They help you develop social skills, like communication, compromise, and negotiation. Even sibling conflict, if it is minor, can promote healthy development.”
The benefit for men
The study even discovered that men who grew up with sisters had better communication skills and were more understanding.
Sisters can also help their brothers become better at resolving arguments and controlling their emotions.
“Some research suggests that having a sibling who is a different gender from you can be a real benefit in adolescence. Many of those sibling pairs become closer during the teen years because they become good sources of information about the opposite sex,” Professor Jensen explained.
Interpersonal skills
Sisters can also teach you a lot about conflict-resolution, empathy, and how to nurture others.
According to Jeffrey Kluger, author of The Sibling Effect, you could learn how to handle tough arguments or diffuse escalating situations by interacting with your “combative” or “physically intimidating” older sister.
On the other hand, Kluger says that having a younger sibling who’s insecure or needs guidance can help you become more nurturing and empathetic to others.