Sisterhood is a very broad umbrella term, with every meaning being just as important as the next. Female friendships, maternal bonding, colleagues, cousins, communities‒ all of these and more pose such an influential role in many people’s lives. But, being a sister, specifically sister-to-sister, is not something that everybody will have the privilege of experiencing, and it’s the form of sisterhood I feel most personally passionate about.
When I knew I was going to have a sibling, I thought I wanted a brother; but now, I can’t imagine life without my sister. If I really think about it, she might just be the only person I would genuinely sacrifice everything for. We have been a support network for each other for advice about troubles that neither of us would confide in our parents about (even if, most of the time, this was just gossip). Being the eldest of two, I have learned so much through being a role-model to her, and likewise (I hope!), she has learned many good things from me, and has always had someone to look up to who sets an example.
With that, it is obvious that there is a huge distinction between being an older sister and a younger sister. I can’t speak for the latter, but as an older sister I can say that responsibility is the biggest factor. Knowing that every sentence, action, hobby, interest, etc, has an influence on my sister and her sentences, actions, hobbies, interests, and even her thought processes, can be a lot of pressure. In a way, I believe that every younger sibling has a part of their older siblings in their own ways of life‒ whether they took interest in a sport because their older sibling did it first, or maybe their favourite film is one that they were shown by their sibling, or maybe their fashion sense was influenced by always stealing their siblings’ clothes (which, in my experience, happens a LOT).
This responsibility is most commonly shown, second to within the domestic sphere, in the academic sphere. The amount of times my sister has heard “Do you have a sister?” from my old teachers is enough to lay the groundwork for my example constantly being held against her‒ even when I am not there. This example is the one which likely signifies the most amount of pressure for both the older and younger sibling‒ the pressure to succeed, and the pressure to live up to that success. Nonetheless, responsibility can shine through in many other much more positive ways. Every time my sister’s little friends say something nice about me, every time they look up to me because of the way my sister portrays me, it definitely brings about a warm feeling; knowing that the responsibility of setting an example has paid off. It’s a constant source of self-confidence and pride.
The 6 or so years I was alive before my sister was born I remember as being somewhat lonely. I always spent time with my loving family, I had friends at school, I was in a dance where I made friends for life, and in the quiet moments when nobody was around I learned to enjoy my own company. But even then, I felt as though I didn’t have a companion: someone to relate to, someone to confide in, someone who would always be by my side. Although my sister and I spent most of our time bickering, we always had the security of guaranteed reconciliation (even if this was forced by our parents!). The reality is that your sibling will be by your side longer than your parents will be, and this fortifies a bond that is much stronger than it seems under the surface of petty arguments. You live your lives in parallel, growing through girlhood into womanhood together, and in turn, the sisterhood you both share evolves as well.
For both sides, it has always been a form of protection and loyalty, and a female-to-female siblinghood is especially important through evergrowing external patriotic influences. Being able to relate to your sibling is a major factor in the strengthening of your relationship, but for sisters, it is more major than any other dynamic. It should be encouraged amongst women everywhere to maintain a bond with your sister, whether this be a sister by blood or otherwise. Every woman should have a stable, longstanding source of support; and I am incredibly lucky to say that I always do and always will.