Sisterhood has its benefits, even for brothers

Written by Joe Pisani
Tuesday, 19 October 2010 22:30

Even though I have two wonderful sisters, I never appreciated them as much as I should have when I was growing up, probably because they’re 13 years younger, so we never hung out into the early hours of the morning, falling off bar stools, getting into brawls and doing the fun things that brothers do together.

When we were young, I’d say, “Hey, girls, let’s go for a few beers,” but they always wanted to take their Barbie dolls. How can you meet chicks when you have your kid sisters tagging along, clutching their Barbies, a shoebox full of doll clothes and a bag of Starburst?

Despite our age difference, we bonded as much as possible, and whenever I needed money for an emergency, they’d pull out their Barbie purses and scrounge around for nickels and dimes so I could get a 50-cent pack of Marlboros. Isn’t that what sisters are for? (Actually, they always wanted me to give them a drag, but I bought them candy cigarettes instead.)

I love them dearly and thought of them after reading about research that says the true value of sisterhood goes beyond borrowing money and clothes. Since I have four daughters, I was amazed at the psychological benefits.

A study by the University of Ulster and De Montfort University in Leicester said having a sister can improve your mental health and that a daughter in the family can help everyone cope better with problems because girls encourage open emotional communication and closer bonds in ways boys never do.

Another study by Brigham Young University suggests that sisters protect their adolescent siblings from depression, loneliness, guilt, fear and poor self-image. That’s as good as having your own therapist, and it’s cheaper — unless they eat a lot of Starburst.

According to the findings, my family should be like the Waltons, but when I thought about it, I realized we sometimes seem more like the notorious Kardashian sisters, whose antics are on the cover of every celebrity tabloid with screaming headlines like “Sisters at War!” and “Sisters Torn Apart” as they quibble and quarrel over monumental issues — “Who has the most cellulite?” and “Whose boyfriend is the biggest cheat?”

Some women I know have spent their lives locked in jealous rivalry with their sisters over their figures and finances and men.

Nevertheless, I’m proud to say my daughters rise to the occasion when there’s a sibling crisis along the lines of “Gimme your car keys!” or “It’s your turn to clean the bathroom!” or “I need to borrow your Sevens jeans this weekend!”

When someone is upset, the others rally around to offer moral support, and if an outsider attacks them, their defense is impenetrable and their compassion boundless. Yes, sisterhood does have benefits.

Today, my sisters are successful women, and if I were still smoking and drinking, they’d be the first ones I’d take out for a few beers, but only if they agreed to pick up the bar tab ... and leave their Barbies home.

Joe Pisani can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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