[kerosene]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I'm an older sister to a younger brother. I was the good, responsible, smart one who made the good grades and did everything right, and he's the malcontent, irresponsible slacker who still lives with my mom at age 27.

Growing up, we knew exactly which roles we filled. We joked that mom liked my brother better, but that was okay because dad liked me better. Our parents denied it the few times they heard us say this in earshot of them, but we knew (and still know) that it's true. I often felt bad for him, because people would always say versions of "why can't you be like your sister," and I knew that must suck. There were also plenty of times I resented the fact that my mom continuously gave him anything and everything he wanted and never made him get a job or take any kind of responsibility for himself. Overall, I mostly see him as a product of his environment, so I don't blame him for who he is, and I enjoy spending time with him, but we're distinctly brother-and-sister, not friends.

This is pretty much exactly how mine is.

I find this topic fascinating, also.