Do Siblings Closer in Age Fight More? The Surprising Truth

If you’ve ever grown up with siblings, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: Do siblings closer in age fight more? It’s a fascinating question because, let’s be honest, sibling fights are almost a rite of passage in family life. But is there a pattern when siblings are close in age? Let’s dive into the research and personal experiences to find out.

Why Do Siblings Fight?

Before we jump into the age-related question, it’s worth understanding why siblings fight in general. It seems like a universal truth: siblings fight, right? But why? The reasons are pretty straightforward:

• Competition for attention: Siblings often vie for their parents' attention, love, and approval.

• Different personalities: Even in the same family, siblings can have completely different temperaments, which can lead to clashes.

• Resources: Whether it’s toys when they’re younger or even later, things like shared space or even shared financial resources can spark tension.

So, considering this, we might wonder—do these natural causes of friction intensify when siblings are closer in age?

The Impact of Age on Sibling Dynamics

When siblings are close in age, it seems natural that they would experience more similar life stages. But does that mean they argue more? Let’s break it down.

Close in Age Means More Shared Interests and Experiences

Here’s a thought: siblings who are closer in age often have shared experiences and similar interests. This can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they might bond over common hobbies, like playing the same video games or watching the same TV shows. But on the other hand, these similarities can lead to more direct competition.

For instance, I remember growing up with my brother, who’s just 18 months older than me. We shared so much—clothes, friends, and even some of the same school experiences. But boy, did we fight! Looking back, I realize that a lot of those fights were rooted in competition—for attention, or who was better at a particular skill.

More Similarity = More Clashes Over "Who's Better?"

When you’re close in age, you’re often at similar developmental stages, and this can lead to more comparison. I’ve seen this with my friend Lisa, who’s two years apart from her sister. They were always compared by their parents, teachers, and even friends, and this made their relationship more competitive. They fought over trivial things like grades or who was "better" at sports. It’s frustrating, right? Because the closer you are in age, the more you feel like you have to prove yourself in direct comparison to your sibling.

But Does Closer Age Really Lead to More Fights?

Okay, so we've established that close-in-age siblings share experiences and might be compared more often. But does that really mean they fight more? Surprisingly, not always.

The Case for Younger Siblings Fighting More

Actually, some research suggests that siblings with a greater age gap tend to fight less. The reason? The older sibling often takes on a more protective or even mentoring role, reducing the potential for conflict. Meanwhile, siblings who are very close in age may lack that buffer and might have a more equal relationship, which leads to more direct conflict.

I recently spoke to my cousin Karen, who’s five years younger than her brother. She told me that growing up, she always admired her older brother and didn’t engage in many fights with him, primarily because of their age gap. Their relationship felt more like an older-younger dynamic, rather than competing against each other.

Does the Nature of the Relationship Matter More Than the Age Gap?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Age is important, but personality and family dynamics might play an even bigger role. For example, two siblings who are only a year or two apart might still get along better than two siblings with a greater age difference if they share a strong emotional bond.

What Research Says: Do Siblings Closer in Age Fight More?

Some studies do suggest that siblings closer in age tend to have more frequent conflicts. In fact, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that siblings who are closer in age are more likely to experience rivalry and competition, which can lead to more fights.

However, the severity of those fights might differ. Close-in-age siblings may bicker and argue more, but the emotional intensity of their fights could be less than, say, a sibling who is much older. The relationship dynamics can evolve, and these close-in-age siblings might eventually learn to work together as they grow older and mature.

Final Thoughts: Age Is Just One Factor in Sibling Fights

So, are siblings closer in age more likely to fight? In many cases, yes. The competition and similarity in their stages of life can lead to increased tension. However, it’s not a hard and fast rule. Many factors influence how siblings relate to each other, including parenting styles, individual personalities, and family dynamics.

For me, reflecting on my relationship with my brother, I can say that while we did fight a lot as kids, we’ve also grown incredibly close as adults. So, don’t worry too much about the age gap—whether your siblings are close in age or not, the most important thing is fostering positive relationships and mutual respect over time.

At the end of the day, fighting less and getting along more has more to do with your emotional intelligence and communication than with how many months or years separate you and your sibling.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.