We Do Copy Our Brothers And Sisters: Scientifically Proven

Siblings also influence life decisions as an adult, such as marriage and children.

Sibling relationships are unique in their influence over a person’s life and extend far beyond childhood, a study reveals. The study’s lead author, Zafer Buyukkececi, said: ‘Taken together, our results support the idea that the process of family formation is interdependent among siblings.’

Siblings also influence life decisions as an adult, such as marriage and children.

A study from researchers at the University of Cologne spanning 32 years found people are more likely to get married, divorced or become a parent if they see a sibling do it first. The likelihood of getting married increases after watching a brother or sister tie the knot, the study shows.

Unsurprising, the phenomenon was also seen in reverse and have a negative effect.

For example, if a person watches their sibling get divorced, it makes them less likely to get married themselves.

‘An individual’s propensity to marry increases after a sibling’s marriage and remain significant in the long-term,’ the researcher write in the study.

A similar surge in probability also occurs if a sibling has a child but only for a short period of time.

‘Similar to previous research, we find this effect to be short-lived, peaking in the first three years and declining afterward,’ the scientists write.