What is the etymology of the word sister?
The English word sister comes from Old Norse which itself derives from Proto-Germanic *swestēr. Both forms share the same meaning as the modern definition of a female sibling.
Questions about Sister
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How do older sisters influence the gender role behavior of their younger siblings?
Older sisters are likely to give a varied gender role to their younger siblings and develop a close bond with them. Boys with only one older sister are more likely to display stereotypically male behavior while young boys with several sisters tend to be feminine until they approach pubescence.
Why might girls with only younger brothers lose their virginity later than average?
A study in Perth, Australia found that girls having only younger brothers resulted in a chastity effect where they lose their virginity on average more than a year later than average. This has been hypothesized as being attributed to the pheromones in their brothers' sweat and household-related errands.
In what cultures are sisters afforded protection by male siblings?
In some cultures sisters are afforded a role of being under the protection by male siblings especially older brothers from issues ranging from bullies or sexual advances by womanizers. This protection extends from issues ranging from bullies or sexual advances by womanizers according to Handbook of Cultural Psychiatry Page 67 published in 2001.