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                      When one hears the word “siblings”, the phrase “can’t live with them, can’t live without them” might come to mind. Siblings have always been a huge part of every society’s culture. The Olsen twins were once America’s sweethearts, the Jonas Brothers were a sensation when they first came out, and who doesn’t love the Franco brothers? We’ve seen sibling rivalries throughout the media, whether it is the fictional story of Step Brothers or the newest feud between the Kardashian sisters, everyone loves a good sibling rivalry story. However, in reality, siblings are a little bit different. They grow up together; they come to know everything about each other. How does this affect a person? How does this change their perspective on their way of life and their relationships with others? I’m sure that everyone who has a sibling has at some point wanted to be an only child, but maybe being an only child wouldn’t be as fun as they think it would be.

                “Cat videos,” says Daniel Morse over the sound of students trudging their way out of school after finals. His brother, Ken Morse, shoots him a weird look. “Cat videos? Please explain.” The question is “how would you describe your relationship with your sibling?” Daniel laughs and explains “Kenny, please, we look up cat videos and tell each other to watch them. Then we quote them to each other. That’s our relationship.” Ken smiles and finally agrees. At 15 months apart, Daniel and Ken Morse look a lot alike but have very different personalities. Ken is reserved and polite, while Daniel is sassy and witty. “We used to fight a lot,” says Ken, “but we get a long now.” When asked why it changed, Daniel replies “I was a little turd. I peed on him one time. I told him not to kill me in video game and he did it anyway. I’ve grown up since then.” Ken and Daniel may be different people, but when they are together, you can tell that they have a very close connection, almost like they read each other’s minds. “We have kind of a love hate relationship,” says Ken, “but then again, what siblings don’t?”

                “Sometime I want to put my sister in a ditch and cover her up and leave her there,” Neva Hubbert explains in vivid detail, “but she’s also my best friend and we have a really good relationship compared to most siblings, I think.”Nevaand Seleen Hubbert are 2 ½ years apart and look like they could be twins. “Nevais my role model,” says Seleen, “she experiences everything before me and always gives the best advice. I look up to her every day of my life.” The girls’ parents got divorced when they were still very young. When their father remarried, they made new relationships with their new step-siblings, until that marriage ended too and the girls were back to themselves again. “I think one of the reasons why we are so close is because we’ve been through so much together,” saysNeva, “we’ve always stuck together and it’s always just been us two. When my dad got divorced, we had each other to fall back on and got each other through it.” When asked if they fight, they laugh and start to bicker about a piece of clothing one of them borrowed the other day. Seleen says “Yeah, we fight about stupid stuff like clothes, but withoutNeva, I wouldn’t have as many clothes, would I? I still love her.”

                “My brother and I are best friends who hate each other, if that makes sense,” says Giordan Randazzo about her brother Vince. Vince starts to get annoyed with his sister, until she calms him down and he answers “We hang out, but she’s annoying.” As Vince leaves to go take a final, Giordan shakes her head and laughs. “We actually have a really tight relationship. We fight sometimes and make each other mad, but at the end of the day, we love each other.” Giordan and Vince Randazzo are 18 months apart and also have another little brother, Nico. “I think having two brothers has made me more aware of how guys work. I always give Vince advice on his ‘guy problems.’” She then admits “He’s going to hate me for saying these mushy things to you. But to be honest, I’d be really socially awkward without him.”

                “I don’t think I could live life without Kenny. All my social skills I learned from him.” “I’d be much quieter, and I probably wouldn’t talk to people as much.” “Without Seleen, I’d be less confident as a person.” “Without Giordan, I’d probably be less annoyed, but less happy.” “Without him, I wouldn’t have anyone to hang out with when I go home and have a good time.” “Without my sister, I wouldn’t be who I am today. She has made me who I am.” Family has a big impact in everyone’s lives. Siblings change people’s lives. They have a huge influence on what decisions their siblings make and the way they deal with other relationships in daily life. I guess the saying “can’t live with them, can’t live without them” seems appropriate, but as these students have demonstrated, the latter would be the only suitable thing to say here.

For information on how siblings interact, visit http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-6469952.html.