A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a

familial Familial may refer to: * ''Familial'' (album), a 2010 studio album by Phil Selway *Family, a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence *Family (biology), one of the eight major taxonomic ranks, classified between orde ...

relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familial relationships. A full brother is a

first degree relative A first-degree relative (FDR) is a person's parent (father or mother), full sibling (brother or sister) or child. It constitutes a category of family members that largely overlaps with the term nuclear family, but without spouses. If the persons ...

Overview

Grave stele of Eukarpos and Philoxenos from Athens

The term ''brother'' comes from the Proto-Indo-European *bʰréh₂tēr, which becomes Latin ''frater'', of the same meaning. Sibling warmth or affection between male siblings has been correlated to some more negative effects. In pairs of brothers, higher sibling warmth is related to more risk taking behaviour, although risk taking behaviour is not related to sibling warmth in any other type of sibling pair. The cause of this phenomenon in which sibling warmth is only correlated with risk taking behaviours in brother pairs still is unclear. This finding does, however, suggest that although sibling conflict is a risk factor for risk taking behaviour, sibling warmth does not serve as a protective factor. Some studies suggest that girls having an older brother delays the onset of

menarche Menarche ( ; ) is the first menstrual cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in female humans. From both social and medical perspectives, it is often considered the central event of female puberty, as it signals the possibility of fertility. Gir ...

by roughly one year. Research also suggests that the likelihood of being gay increases with the more older brothers a man has. Some analyzers have suggested that a man's attractiveness to a heterosexual woman may increase with the more he resembles her brother, while his unattractiveness may increase the more his likeness diverges from her brother. Females with a twin or very close-in-age brother, sometimes view him as their male alter ego, or what they would have been like, if they had a Y chromosomes.

Fraternal relationship

The book Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII written by Aristotle in 350 B.C.E., offers a way in which people should view the relationships between biological brothers. The relationship of brothers is laid out with the following quote: "The friendship of brothers has the characteristics found in that of comrades and in general between people who are like each other, is as much as they belong more to each other and start with a love for each other from their very birth, and in as much as those born to the same parents and brought up together and similarly educated are more akin in character; and the test of time has been applied most fully and convincingly in their case". For these reasons, it is the job of the older brother to influence the ethics of the younger brother by being a person of good action. Aristotle says "by imitating and reenacting the acts of good people, a child becomes habituated to good action". Over time the younger brother will develop the good actions of the older brother as well and be like him. Aristotle also adds this on the matter of retaining the action of doing good once imitated: "Once the habits of ethics or immorality become entrenched, they are difficult to break."Rogers Victor, Kelly. "Raising Ethical Kids with Insights from Plato and Aristotle." Smartparenting.com. SMRT, 26 Mar. 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. The good habits that are created by the influence of the older brother become habit in the life of the younger brother and turn out to be seemingly permanent. It is the role of the older brother to be a positive influence on the development of the younger brother's upbringing when it comes to the education of ethics and good actions. When positive characteristics are properly displayed to the younger brother by the older brother, these habits and characteristics are imitated and foster an influential understanding of good ethics and positive actions.

Famous brothers

Gracchi The Gracchi brothers were two Roman brothers, sons of Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus who was consul in 177 BC. Tiberius, the elder brother, was tribune of the plebs in 133 BC and Gaius, the younger brother, was tribune a decade later in ...

, Ancient Roman reformers *

George Washington Adams George Washington Adams (April 12, 1801 – April 30, 1829) was an American attorney and politician. He was the eldest son of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. Adams served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives ...

, John Adams II, and

Charles Francis Adams Sr. Charles Francis Adams Sr. (August 18, 1807 – November 21, 1886) was an American historical editor, writer, politician, and diplomat. As United States Minister to the United Kingdom during the American Civil War, Adams was crucial to Union effort ...

, politicians * Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck, actors * The Alexander Brothers; musicians *

Alec Baldwin Alexander Rae Baldwin III (born April 3, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, and producer. In his early career, Baldwin played both leading and supporting roles in a variety of films such as Tim Burton's ''Beetlejuice'' (1988), Mike Nichol ...

, William Baldwin, Stephen Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, also known as the Baldwin brothers; actors * John and

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931) ...

, actors * Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins * George W. Bush, Jeb Bush, Neil Bush and Marvin Bush, sons of George H. W. Bush * David Carradine, Keith Carradine, and Robert Carradine, American actors * Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, and

Roger Clinton, Jr. Roger Cassidy Clinton Jr. (born July 25, 1956) is an American actor and musician. He is primarily known for being the younger half-brother of former United States President Bill Clinton. Early life and education Roger Cassidy Clinton is the only ...

, his younger half-brother * Joel and Ethan Coen; filmmakers *

Stephen Curry Wardell Stephen Curry II ( ; born March 14, 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, ...

and Seth Curry; current NBA

point guard The point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the five Basketball positions, positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position. Point guards are expected to run t ...

s in the Western Conference *

Dizzy Dizziness is an imprecise term that can refer to a sense of disorientation in space, vertigo, or lightheadedness. It can also refer to disequilibrium or a non-specific feeling, such as giddiness or foolishness. Dizziness is a common medica ...

and

Daffy Dean Paul Dee Dean (August 14, 1912 – March 17, 1981), nicknamed "Daffy", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Born in Lucas, Arkansas, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (1934–1939), the New York Giants (1940–1 ...

, Major League Baseball pitchers * Mark DeBarge, Randy DeBarge, El DeBarge, James DeBarge, and Bobby DeBarge, the male members of the singing group DeBarge *

Doud Eisenhower The family of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, and his wife, Mamie, consists predominantly of German and Pennsylvania Dutch background. They are related by marriage to the family of Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhower ...

and John Eisenhower, sons of Dwight D. Eisenhower * Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, actors *

Isaac Everly The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 1939 ...

and Phil Everly, The Everly Brothers, singers * Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher, members of Oasis (band) * Barry Gibb,

Robin Gibb Robin Hugh Gibb (22 December 1949 – 20 May 2012) was a British singer and songwriter. He gained worldwide fame as a member of the Bee Gees pop group with elder brother Barry and fraternal twin brother Maurice. Robin Gibb also had his o ...

, and Maurice Gibb, members of the Brothers Gibb or "Bee Gees" singing group *

John Gotti John Joseph Gotti Jr.Capeci, Mustain (1996), pp. 25–26 (, ; October 27, 1940 – June 10, 2002) was an American gangster and boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. He ordered and helped to orchestrate the murder of Gambino boss ...

, Eugene "Gene" Gotti, Peter Gotti and Richard V. Gotti, and

Vincent Gotti Vincent ( la, Vincentius) is a male given name derived from the Roman name Vincentius, which is derived from the Latin word (''to conquer''). People with the given name Artists *Vincent Apap (1909–2003), Maltese sculptor *Vincent van Gogh ...

, New York " made men" with the

Gambino crime family The Gambino crime family (pronounced ) is an Italian-American Mafia crime family and one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City, United States, within the nationwide criminal phenomenon known as the Ame ...

* Frederick Dent Grant, Ulysses S. Grant, and Jesse Root Grant *

Jacob Grimm Jacob Ludwig Karl Grimm (4 January 1785 – 20 September 1863), also known as Ludwig Karl, was a German author, linguist, philologist, jurist, and folklorist. He is known as the discoverer of Grimm's law of linguistics, the co-author of th ...

and Wilhelm Grimm, known as the Brothers Grimm, German academics and folk tale collectors * Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy, professional wrestlers *

Herbert Hoover Jr. Herbert Charles Hoover (August 4, 1903 – July 9, 1969) was an engineer, businessman, and politician who served as United States Under Secretary of State from 1954 to 1957. He was the elder son of President Herbert Hoover. Biography Early yea ...

and

Allan Hoover Allan Henry Hoover (July 17, 1907 – November 4, 1993) was a British-born American mining engineer, rancher, financier, and the younger son of President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou Henry. Early life and education Hoover was born in Londo ...

* Pau and Marc Gasol, professional basketball players *

O'Kelly Isley, Jr. O'Kelly "Kelly" Isley Jr. (December 25, 1937 – March 31, 1986) was an American singer and one of the founding members of the family group the Isley Brothers. Biography The eldest of the Isley Brothers, Kelly started singing with his brothe ...

, Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, and

Vernon Isley The Isley Brothers ( ) are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, that began as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O'Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, ...

, members of The Isley Brothers singer-songwriting group and band, which also included their brother-in-law, Chris Jasper * Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson and

Randy Jackson Randall Darius Jackson (born June 23, 1956) is an American record executive and television presenter, perhaps best known as a judge on ''American Idol'' from 2002 to 2013. Jackson began his career in the 1980s as a session musician playing bas ...

, members of The Jackson 5 and later The Jacksons * Jesse and Frank James, Old West outlaws * Kennedy brothers

John, Robert and Ted Kennedy, politicians * Edward M. Kennedy Jr. and Patrick J. Kennedy, politicians * Terry Labonte and Bobby Labonte, race car drivers * Robert Todd Lincoln,

Edward Baker Lincoln Edward Baker Lincoln (March 10, 1846 – February 1, 1850) was the second son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln. He was named after Lincoln's close friend, Edward Dickinson Baker. Both Abraham and Mary spelled his name "Eddy"; how ...

, William Wallace Lincoln and Tad Lincoln, sons of Abraham Lincoln *

Loud Brothers Loud Brothers was an American piano designer and manufacturer based in Philadelphia. Established in 1822, it was the leading American piano manufacturer till 1837, when the factory closed due to overproduction, market flooding, and plummeting sales ...

, piano designers and manufacturers * Eli and

Peyton Manning Peyton Williams Manning (born March 24, 1976) is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with th ...

, National Football League quarterbacks * Mario and Luigi, video game characters *

John McCain John Sidney McCain III (August 29, 1936 – August 25, 2018) was an American politician and United States Navy officer who served as a United States senator from Arizona from 1987 until his death in 2018. He previously served two terms ...

, U.S. Senator and two-time presidential candidate, and Joe McCain, American stage actor, newspaper reporter * Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy, podcasters * Billy Leon McCrary and

Benny Loyd McCrary Billy Leon McCrary (December 7, 1946 – July 14, 1979) and Benny Loyd McCrary (December 7, 1946 – March 26, 2001), known together as The McGuire Twins, were American professional wrestlers listed in the ''Guinness Book of World Records ...

, wrestlers known as The McGuire Twins *

Harold Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...

, Richard Nixon,

Donald Nixon Francis Donald Nixon (November 23, 1914 – June 27, 1987) was a younger brother of United States President Richard Nixon. Family He was the third of five sons: *Harold Nixon (June 1, 1909 – March 7, 1933) *Richard Nixon (January 9, 1913 � ...

, Arthur Nixon, and

Edward Nixon Edward Calvert Nixon (May 3, 1930 – February 27, 2019) was an American entrepreneur and the youngest brother of United States President Richard Nixon. Early life Born in Whittier, California, Edward was the youngest child of Francis and Hann ...

* Alan Osmond, Wayne Osmond, Merrill Osmond,

Jay Osmond Jay Wesley Osmond (born March 2, 1955) is an American musician. He is best known for being a member of the Osmond family of performers. He was the drummer for the group although has now retired from performing continues to work in other areas, ...

and

Donny Osmond Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond (born December 9, 1957) is an American singer, dancer, actor, television host, and former teen idol. He first gained fame performing with four of his elder brothers as the Osmonds, earning several top ten hits and gol ...

, members of The Osmonds * Logan Paul and Jake Paul, YouTubers, internet personalities, and actors * Neil and

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

* Ringling brothers, circus performers, owners, and show runners * John D. Rockefeller and William Rockefeller, co-founders of

Standard Oil Standard Oil Company, Inc., was an American oil production, transportation, refining, and marketing company that operated from 1870 to 1911. At its height, Standard Oil was the largest petroleum company in the world, and its success made its co-f ...

and members of the Rockefeller family *

Cornelius Roosevelt Cornelius Van Schaack "C.V.S." Roosevelt (January 30, 1794 – July 17, 1871) was an American businessman from New York City. He was a member of the prominent Roosevelt family and the paternal grandfather of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. E ...

and

James I. Roosevelt James John Roosevelt, known as James I. (December 14, 1795 – April 5, 1875) was an American politician, jurist, businessman, and member of the Roosevelt family. From 1841 to 1843, he served one term in the United States House of Representatives, ...

* Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Kermit Roosevelt,

Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt Archibald Bulloch Roosevelt (April 9, 1894 – October 13, 1979) was a distinguished U.S. Army officer and commander of U.S. forces in both World War I and II, and the fifth child of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. In both conflicts he w ...

, and Quentin Roosevelt * James Roosevelt,

Elliot Roosevelt Elliott Roosevelt (September 23, 1910 – October 27, 1990) was an American aviation official and wartime officer in the United States Army Air Forces, reaching the rank of brigadier general. He was a son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fir ...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. (August 17, 1914 – August 17, 1988) was an American lawyer, politician, and businessman. He served as a United States congressman from New York from 1949 to 1955 and in 1963 was appointed United States Under Secre ...

, and John Aspinwall Roosevelt * Russo brothers, filmmakers, producers, and directors * Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, professional hockey players * Wallace Shawn and

Allen Shawn Allen Evan Shawn (born August 27, 1948)''Vermont, Marriage Records, 1909-2008'' is an American composer, pianist, educator, and author who lives in Vermont. His music Shawn began composing at the age of ten, but dates his mature work from 1977. ...

, writer and composer of The Fever *

Bobby Shriver Robert Sargent Shriver III (born April 28, 1954) is an American activist, attorney, and journalist. He was a member of the Santa Monica City Council from 2004 to 2012, serving as mayor pro tem in 2006 and as mayor during part of 2010. A member ...

, Timothy Shriver, Mark Shriver, and

Anthony Shriver Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver (born July 20, 1965) is an American activist for people with intellectual disabilities. In 1989, he founded Best Buddies International, an international organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities t ...

* Thomas "Tommy" Smothers and Richard "Dick" Smothers, performing artists known as the Smothers Brothers * Prabowo Subianto and

Hashim Djojohadikusumo Hashim Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian entrepreneur and politician. Early life and education Hashim was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 5 June 1954. From a distinguished family, he is the youngest son of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, the architect ...

, politicians *

Fred Trump Jr. Frederick Crist Trump Jr. (October 14, 1938 – September 26, 1981; nicknamed "Freddy") was an American airplane pilot and maintenance worker. The eldest son to realtor Fred Trump Sr., he fell out of his father's favor when he chose to become ...

, Donald Trump, and

Robert Trump Robert Stewart Trump (August 26, 1948 – August 15, 2020) was an American businessman and investor. He was the younger brother of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Early life and education Robert Trump was born in Queens, New York City, on ...

* Vincent van Gogh, painter, and Theo van Gogh, art dealer *

J. J. Watt Justin James Watt (born March 22, 1989) is an American football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Central Michigan and Wisconsin and was drafted by the Houston Texans i ...

, T. J. Watt, Derek Watt, National Football League Players * Damon Wayans, Dwayne Wayans,

Keenan Ivory Wayans Keenen Ivory Desuma Wayans (born June 8, 1958) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is a member of the Wayans family of entertainers. Wayans first came to prominence as the host and the creator of the 1990–1994 Fox Broadcasting Co ...

Marlon Wayans Marlon Lamont Wayans (born July 23, 1972) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Wayans began his career portraying a pedestrian in ''I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'' (1988). He went on to regularly collaborate with his brother Shawn Wa ...

, Shawn Wayans, performing artists, directors and producers * Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein, film producers *

Brian Wilson Brian Douglas Wilson (born June 20, 1942) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who co-founded the Beach Boys. Often called a genius for his novel approaches to pop composition, extraordinary musical aptitude, and m ...

, Dennis Wilson, and

Carl Wilson Carl Dean Wilson (December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys. He was their lead guitarist, the youngest sibling of bandmates Brian and Dennis, and the group's ''de ...

, members of The Beach Boys * Marvin Winans, Carvin Winans, Michael Winans, and Ronald Winans, members of The Winans, singers and musicians * Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright, known as the Wright brothers, pioneer aviators * Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and

Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (born 24 November 1980 in Bandung, West Java) is a politician and member of House of Representatives, Indonesia. Edhie is the second son of the 6th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and th ...

, politicians

Other works about brothers

* In the Bible: **

Cain and Abel In the biblical Book of Genesis, Cain ''Qayīn'', in pausa ''Qāyīn''; gr, Κάϊν ''Káïn''; ar, قابيل/قايين, Qābīl / Qāyīn and Abel ''Heḇel'', in pausa ''Hāḇel''; gr, Ἅβελ ''Hábel''; ar, هابيل, Hāb� ...

, the sons of Adam and Eve ** Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac and

Rebecca Rebecca, ; Syriac: , ) from the Hebrew (lit., 'connection'), from Semitic root , 'to tie, couple or join', 'to secure', or 'to snare') () appears in the Hebrew Bible as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. According to biblical ...

Moses Moses hbo, מֹשֶׁה, Mōše; also known as Moshe or Moshe Rabbeinu (Mishnaic Hebrew: מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּינוּ, ); syr, ܡܘܫܐ, Mūše; ar, موسى, Mūsā; grc, Mωϋσῆς, Mōÿsēs () is considered the most important pro ...

and

Aaron According to Abrahamic religions, Aaron ''′aharon'', ar, هارون, Hārūn, Greek (Septuagint): Ἀαρών; often called Aaron the priest ()., group="note" ( or ; ''’Ahărōn'') was a prophet, a high priest, and the elder brother of ...

, prophets ** Sts. Peter and Andrew, apostles ** Sts. James and John, apostles * ''My Brother, My Brother, and Me'', podcast *'' Saving Private Ryan'' (1998), film *'' Simon & Simon'', television series * ''Supernatural'', American television series *'' The Brothers Karamazov'', novel *'' The Wayans Bros.'', television series *''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on U ...

'' (1959–1973), television series *In the Ramayana: ** Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna *In the Mahabharata: **The Pandavas – Yudhishthira,

Arjuna Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...

Bhima In Hindu epic Mahabharata, Bhima ( sa, भीम, ) is the second among the five Pandavas. The ''Mahabharata'' relates many events that portray the might of Bhima. Bhima was born when Vayu, the wind god, granted a son to Kunti and Pandu. Af ...

, Sahadeva and Nakula **The Kauravas – One hundred brothers including

Duryodhana Duryodhana ( sa, दुर्योधन, ) also known as Suyodhana, is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata.'' He was the eldest of the Kauravas, the hundred sons of the blind king Dhritarashtra and his queen Gandhari. Being ...

, Dushasana and Vikarna, among others

References

External links