Does growing up with older brothers affect a woman's views on feminism, equality and men?

Question

Whenever I get to talking to women who I've always known to have certain qualities about them - courteous, calm, hardworking, generous - it almost always turns out that they grew up with strong male influences, particularly from older brothers (not so much with younger brothers).

On the other hand, whenever I meet women who are highly emotional, easily stressed out, and tend to see themselves as victims (with their resultant accusations of all sorts e.g. sexism), they almost always grew up with mostly sisters. If they had any brothers, it would have been much younger brothers. They tend not to relate to men very well and instead approach men in a more sexual way also.

Is this reflected in anyone else's experience? Or is it coincidence or bias on my part? Please do not answer based on how things should or should not be, but rather answer based on your own actual experiences with people whom you know.

Answer 1

For me, it has more to do with how the siblings were treated by the parents.  I, as the only girl with one older brother and one younger brother, was treated very differently from "the boys."  They did nothing.  Literally, nothing.  I cooked, cleaned, maintained the house, took care of things while my parents worked or whatever.  It was expected.  I grew to dislike my older brother, who was always having a good time while I, as the girl, was being the little housekeeper.  Nothing has changed over time.  Both of them are looked after by their wives, and always will be.  Whatever.  The problem was not my brothers, the problem was my parents and their attitudes toward what was appropriate to each gender.

Answer 2

I supose it would all depend on the individuals and how the entire family is brought up. I had a brother and sister that were a lot older than me. My brother was always very meek, brainy and shy wheras my sister was argumentive, fiesty and passionate - complete opposites.

I think it just boils down to ones personality.

Answer 3

No reflection in my experience, I have three younger brothers, three sons and I am a strong, beautiful woman who adores the men in her life.

Answer 4

I have one sister and no brothers. I don't think I'm particularly stressed out or overly emotional because I didn't have male siblings. To be honest, I never thought much of what I would have been like if I had had a brother. I always knew my parents would not have any more children so I never wondered what it would have been like.