What is the origin of the English word sister?
The English word sister comes from Old Norse systir, which itself derives from the Proto-Germanic root swestēr. Both the Old Norse and Proto-Germanic forms share the same meaning: a female sibling.
Questions about Sister
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does full sister mean in family relationship terms?
A full sister is a first-degree relative, meaning she shares both parents with the other individual. This places the full sister relationship in the same closest-degree category as a parent or child.
Why do some publishers prefer female sibling over sister?
The term sister has gradually broadened in colloquial use to include non-familial relationships, signaling kinship or solidarity rather than a biological tie. To avoid equivocation, some publishers prefer the more precise term female sibling.
What did a study in Perth Australia find about girls with only younger brothers?
A study in Perth, Australia found that girls who had only younger brothers lost their virginity on average more than a year later than average. Researchers hypothesized the effect may be linked to pheromones in brothers' sweat and household-related routines.
How do older sisters influence the gender behavior of younger siblings?
Various studies have found that older sisters are more likely than older brothers to give younger siblings a varied sense of gender roles and to develop close bonds with them. Boys with one older sister are more likely to show stereotypically masculine behavior, while boys surrounded by several sisters tend toward more feminine behavior until they approach pubescence.
Does having an older sister reduce delinquency in boys?
Boys with older sisters were found to be less likely to be delinquent and less likely to develop emotional and behavioral disorders. Men who grew up without any sisters were also more likely to struggle with courtship and romantic relationships.