Siblings are arguably the most life-shaping thing that can happen to a person. It means being influenced by them for years to come, molding behaviors, beliefs and emotional responses. Whether you’re the oldest, middle, or youngest of the family, that position will forever impact family dynamics.
Avery Perry, a freshman, is the oldest and has one younger sister. She believes that being the oldest matures her as a person.
“I think that being an older sister makes me more mature and protective over my younger sister,” Perry said.
Growing up, she was taught responsibility with her role in the family. Her parents often had more trust in her ability to babysit and look out for her younger sister, who now thinks of Perry as responsible and self-aware.
Mira Kshirsagar is also an older sibling at Community High School. Envious of her younger sister, Kshirsagar wishes she were the youngest in the family. She has learned to provide her sister with needed advice, but wishes the roles were reversed.
“My parents expect that I will learn how to keep my sister safe,” Kshirsagar said.
Viewed as a role model, she believes in being mature and protective when around her little sister. The stress that comes with being the eldest moves Kshirsagar to want her own role-model sibling in life.
Ani Ledbetter, the middle child of six, knows firsthand how frenzied a large family can be. However, this also makes Ledbetter more understanding. She has learned to be more accepting of people’s differences and created a responsible method of mediating her family’s issues. Ledbetter claims that being the middle child is both the best and worst role, but she still wouldn’t change how things are.
“I wouldn’t change the order of my birth. I like my personal place in it,” Ledbetter stated
Felix Porter, the youngest sibling, says that he has become the opposite of his older sister. She is extremely focused on school-centered activities while Porter struggles more. With their academic differences and the difficulties involved in a shared living space, Porter wishes he were the oldest.
“I would like to be older because I would want someone who looks up to me,” Porter said.
Community High School students proved that their roles in their families shape who they are. While everyone has their own unique experiences growing up, many of the stereotypical ideas about the youngest and oldest sibling roles in families were felt by the students interviewed. Even so, CHS students used this influence to positively shape their view on life.
