we are told how healthy it is to hone each sibling’s distinct sense of identity in the family by giving them individual attention (sometimes reinforced by giving them separate rooms, duplicate toys, separate playdates, and one-on-one time). Yet we now know that older siblings benefit in a lot of ways from nurturing their younger sisters and brothers. Researchers have observed that children36 who are required to care for siblings have shown more “prosocial” tendencies: they appear more socially responsible and more nurturing.
