Hubbry Logo
BrotherBrotherMain
Open search
Brother
Community hub
Brother
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Brother
Brother
Brother
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

American band Jackson 5: Tito, Marlon, Michael, Jackie and Jermaine Jackson

A brother (pl.: brothers or brethren) is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling.[1] The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familial relationships.[2] A full brother is a first degree relative.

Overview

[edit]
Grave stele of brothers Eukarpos and Philoxenos of Miletus 2nd c. A.D.[3]

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.[4] Some studies suggest that girls having an older brother delays the onset of menarche by roughly one year.[5] Research also suggests that the likelihood of being gay increases with the more older brothers a man has.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8]

Fraternal relationship

[edit]
Three brothers
Brazilian princes Pedro Augusto (right) and Augusto Leopoldo in exile in Cannes, c. 1890

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.[9]

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."[10] 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.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brother

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A brother is a , sharing at least one biological or adoptive with another (in the case of full brothers, both parents; in the case of half-brothers, one ). The term can also refer to a member of a by , such as a brother-in-law, or more broadly to a close friend or , as in "brothers in arms." In religious and cultural contexts, "brother" denotes fellow members of a community or monastic order, emphasizing and beyond . The word "brother" originates from "brōþor," akin to Proto-Germanic "*brōþēr" and Proto-Indo-European "*bʰréh₂tēr," reflecting a universal concept of male kinship across languages (e.g., Latin "frater," Greek "adelphos"). Variations include "frère" in French and "hermano" in Spanish. This article explores the definition, roles, and symbolic uses of "brother" in familial, social, religious, and cultural settings. For the Japanese multinational corporation, see .

Definition and Etymology

Core Definition

A is a who shares at least one biological with another , establishing a within the family structure. While primarily denoting biological relations, the term "brother" is also commonly used for adopted or step-siblings who share through legal , , or social bonds. This term specifically applies to , distinguishing it from "," which denotes the female equivalent sharing the same parental connection. In standard , brothers are classified based on the extent of shared parentage: full brothers share both parents, while half-brothers share only one. To illustrate these relations, consider a basic example. In a where a couple has two sons, both boys are full brothers, connected through identical maternal and paternal lineage. If the same later has a son with a different father, that becomes a half-brother to the original two, sharing only the maternal line. This distinction highlights how charts map relational proximity without implying differences in emotional bonds.
Relation TypeShared ParentsDescription
Full BrotherBoth and Male siblings from the same two parents, representing the closest biological tie.
Half BrotherOne parent ( or )Male siblings sharing a single parent, often due to or separate unions.
The concept of a brother as a male sibling has maintained historical consistency, denoting this familial role from ancient linguistic through modern usage without significant definitional changes.

Linguistic Origins and Variations

The word "brother" originates from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root *bʰréh₂tēr, which denoted a male or kinsman and is reconstructed based on across . This root exhibits semantic consistency in referring to familial or clan-based male relations, with phonetic variations arising from sound shifts in daughter languages. In English, the term evolved from brōþor, inherited from Proto-Germanic *brōþēr, which itself derived directly from root. By , it simplified to brother, retaining its core meaning while the plural form brethren emerged as an archaic , often used in religious or formal contexts to denote a group of male siblings or members. This development reflects broader Germanic influences, including parallels in bruoder and bróðir, with minimal semantic shift over centuries. Across languages, equivalents of "brother" show both inheritance from the PIE root in Indo-European families and independent developments in non-Indo-European ones, often with distinctions for age, blood relation, or social role. The following table illustrates select variations, highlighting etymological ties where applicable:
LanguageWord for "Brother"Notes on Etymology or Usage
bhrā́tṛDirect cognate from PIE *bʰréh₂tēr, used for male ; plural bhrā́tṝḥ.
LatinfrāterFrom PIE *bʰréh₂tēr via Italic sound changes; denotes full or half-brother.
bráthirCeltic cognate, meaning male kinsman or .
FrenchfrèreFrom Latin frāter through freire; standard term for male .
SpanishhermanoFrom Vulgar Latin *germānus ("full brother"), distinguishing from half-siblings; not a direct PIE cognate.
GermanBruderFrom bruoder, direct Germanic descendant of PIE *bʰréh₂tēr.
Arabicأخ (akh)From Semitic root ʔ-k-w, denoting male or close kin; used broadly in familial and fraternal senses.
哥哥 (gēge) of gē ("elder brother"); specific to older male , with no PIE connection.
In contemporary English usage, there is a growing trend toward , where terms like "" increasingly supplant "" and "" in inclusive contexts to avoid binary assumptions about . This shift, evident in style guides and everyday speech since the late , promotes "" as a direct, non-gendered alternative for any or .

Familial and Kinship Roles

Biological and Genetic Aspects

Brothers, as male siblings, share a significant portion of their genetic material due to common parental . Full brothers, who share both parents, inherit approximately 50% of their nuclear DNA on average, reflecting the random assortment of alleles during in each parent. Half-brothers, sharing only one parent, typically share about 25% of their nuclear DNA, as they inherit half of their genes from the common parent and none from the non-shared one. The inheritance of sex chromosomes further defines brotherhood biologically. All brothers receive their exclusively from their , as the father contributes either an X or to each , with the Y determining . Consequently, full brothers share an identical passed down patrilineally, barring rare mutations, which links them genetically through their paternal lineage. In contrast, each brother inherits a unique X chromosome from their mother, contributing to between them. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which resides outside the nucleus and powers cellular energy production, is inherited solely from the and thus shared identically among brothers with the same maternal . Full brothers therefore possess the same mtDNA sequence, inherited without recombination, while paternal half-brothers would not share this maternal mtDNA. This uniparental transmission provides a direct of maternal . Among twin brothers, genetic relatedness varies by zygosity. Identical (monozygotic) twin brothers arise from a single fertilized egg that splits, sharing nearly 100% of their DNA, including both nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. Fraternal (dizygotic) twin brothers, resulting from two separate eggs fertilized by different sperm, share approximately 50% of their DNA, akin to non-twin full brothers. This distinction highlights how twinning influences but does not alter the fundamental patterns of sibling genetic sharing.

Social and Emotional Dynamics

Sibling rivalry among brothers is a prominent aspect of family dynamics, often explained through psychological theories like Alfred Adler's birth order theory. Adler posited that children, including younger brothers, develop feelings of inferiority due to their position relative to older siblings and compete for limited parental resources, attention, and affection to carve out a distinct niche within the family. This rivalry can foster competitiveness, where younger brothers seek to emulate or surpass their elders in skills, achievements, or status, potentially leading to both conflict and personal growth. Empirical studies support this, showing that birth order influences personality traits such as ambition and independence in brothers, with later-born individuals often exhibiting more rebellious or innovative tendencies as a response to perceived disadvantages. From an perspective, brothers also exhibit protective instincts, acting as allies to enhance survival and . theory suggests that , sharing on average 50% of their genes, cooperate to promote mutual , with brothers often taking on roles in defense and resource provision during threats. These instincts stem from adaptive mechanisms that prioritize sibling alliances in harsh environments, balancing with for long-term viability. In adulthood, bonds between brothers often evolve into sources of enduring emotional support, particularly during crises, surpassing that provided by non-siblings due to shared history and genetic ties. Longitudinal studies indicate that adult brothers with close relationships report higher levels of mutual aid, such as emotional encouragement and practical assistance during events like illness or loss, which buffers against loneliness and enhances resilience compared to friendships or distant relatives. For instance, research on sibling ties in later life shows that brothers frequently serve as confidants, offering validation and perspective that non-kin cannot replicate, leading to improved mental health outcomes. This support is reciprocal, with brothers drawing on early-formed trust to navigate challenges collaboratively. Gender influences shape brotherly dynamics distinctly from mixed-gender sibling pairs. Brother-brother relationships tend to involve more physical rough play and direct , such as wrestling or competitive games, which serve social functions like establishing and building resilience, though they can escalate into conflict. In contrast, brother-sister interactions often emphasize protective or mentoring roles, with less intense physicality and more focus on emotional sharing or shared activities like , influenced by norms that encourage boys to engage in roughhousing among peers but restraint with sisters. These differences highlight how modulates and support, with same-gender pairs showing heightened but also deeper camaraderie through physical bonding.

Religious and Monastic Contexts

In Christianity

In Christian scripture, the term "brother" first appears in the narrative of in Genesis 4, marking the earliest depiction of sibling brotherhood in the , where , out of jealousy over God's favor toward Abel's offering, murders his brother, introducing themes of fraternal conflict and divine accountability. This story underscores the moral responsibilities inherent in brotherhood, as God confronts with the question, "Where is Abel your brother?" highlighting the duty to protect and care for one's kin. Later, in the , redefines brotherhood beyond biological ties in Matthew 12:50, declaring to his disciples, "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother," thereby establishing spiritual as the true basis for familial bonds in . The concept of spiritual brotherhood permeates the New Testament epistles, where "brethren" (often translating the Greek adelphoi) refers to the unified community of believers in Christ, emphasizing mutual , support, and equality among all followers regardless of ethnic or social background. For instance, Paul frequently addresses his audiences as "brothers" in letters like :10, urging them to "be devoted to one another in " and to "honor one another above yourselves," portraying the church as a spiritual bound by rather than blood. This usage, appearing over 100 times across the epistles, fosters a sense of and ethical obligation, as seen in 1 Peter 2:17's command to " the brotherhood of believers," which calls for active in the face of . Such language reflects the transformative power of , where believers become "brothers in Christ" through adoption into God's , promoting unity and communal . Early Christian communities exemplified this spiritual brotherhood through practices of communal living, as described in Acts 2:44-47, where believers "had all things in common," selling possessions to distribute to those in need and sharing meals daily with glad and sincere hearts. This model of mutual aid and fellowship, rooted in the apostolic teaching following Pentecost, demonstrated brotherly love in action, with the community growing as the Lord added to their number, fostering a counter-cultural emphasis on generosity and interdependence among "brothers and sisters" in faith. In monastic traditions, the role of "lay brothers"—non-ordained members of religious orders—has historically supported the spiritual and practical life of communities, particularly in the and Franciscan orders, by handling manual labor and administrative tasks to allow priests to focus on and study. Originating in the with figures like St. John Gualbert at Vallombrosa, lay brothers took simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience but were exempt from clerical formation, enabling illiterate or skilled workers to contribute to monastic self-sufficiency through crafts like farming or brewing. In the , as outlined in the Rule of St. Benedict, lay brothers (known as conversi) performed menial duties and external interactions, preserving the cloistered focus of the choir monks. Similarly, in the Franciscan order founded by St. Francis of Assisi, lay brothers formed the core of the alongside priests, embracing radical poverty and service, as seen in their itinerant preaching and care for the poor, which embodied fraternal equality and humility. This distinction reinforced the communal brotherhood within orders, where all members, ordained or not, shared in the pursuit of evangelical perfection.

In Other Faiths and Traditions

In , the concept of "brother" is encapsulated in the term akh, which extends beyond biological to signify a profound spiritual bond among members of , the global community of believers. This fraternal relationship is rooted in mutual support, compassion, and equality, as emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad in various . For instance, he stated, "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself," highlighting the ethical imperative of and within the . Another reinforces this by describing believers as "like one body; if one part of it hurts, the whole body hurts," underscoring the interconnectedness of as a single familial entity. The term ikhwan (brothers) is frequently invoked in the and prophetic traditions to foster unity, prohibiting enmity or abandonment of a fellow Muslim. In , the notion of brotherhood appears prominently in biblical narratives, such as the story of , fraternal twins born to and Rebekah, whose rivalry and eventual reconciliation illustrate themes of familial conflict, deception, and redemption. Their tale in the depicts selling his birthright to for a meal and later receiving a stolen blessing, leading to years of estrangement before a tentative reunion marked by Esau's embrace and Jacob's deference. This account underscores the complexities of brotherly ties in Jewish scripture, emphasizing reconciliation and over perpetual discord. In modern contexts, Jewish fraternal organizations like embody communal brotherhood, with its name translating to "Sons of the Covenant" in Hebrew, reflecting a commitment to mutual aid, ethical living, and preservation of since its founding in 1843. Hinduism portrays brotherhood through both epic exemplars and social structures, as seen in the where and his half-brother exemplify unwavering loyalty and devotion. , born to Queen , voluntarily accompanies into 14 years of exile, serving as his protector, advisor, and companion, symbolizing the ideal of selfless fraternal support amid trials like the abduction of . Their bond, often termed bhai-bhai (brother-brother), highlights dharma-driven kinship, with Lakshmana's vigilance—such as drawing the protective —representing sacrifice and harmony. Complementing this, caste-based brotherhoods emerge within the jati system, where endogamous communities organize into biradari (fraternities or brotherhoods) to regulate social, economic, and ritual affairs, fostering internal cohesion while maintaining hierarchical distinctions rooted in occupational and ancestral ties. Among indigenous traditions, particularly Native American tribes, brotherly ties often transcend biology through rituals like blood brotherhood, where unrelated individuals form alliances by mingling their blood, symbolizing eternal loyalty and shared destiny distinct from familial lineage. This practice, documented in some ethnographic accounts among North American , though occurring rarely, served to seal pacts between warriors, allies, or friends, invoking spiritual to ensure mutual protection in intertribal relations or personal bonds. Such ceremonies emphasized communal harmony and reciprocity, reflecting broader indigenous values of relational interconnectedness in tribal societies.

Organizational and Cultural Brotherhoods

Fraternities and Secret Societies

College fraternities emerged in the late as voluntary associations fostering brotherhood among students through secretive rituals and shared ideals. The first such organization, , was founded on December 5, 1776, by five students at the in , during the . Initially structured as a secret society, it incorporated an oath of secrecy, a password, a grip, and a , establishing precedents for later Greek-letter groups that emphasized initiation rites to bind members as "brothers" in pursuit of intellectual and social camaraderie. These early fraternities, distinct from literary societies, spread across U.S. colleges in the , promoting lifelong loyalty through symbolic ceremonies that reinforced fraternal ties beyond biological . Professional brotherhoods have long utilized the concept of "brother" to denote mutual support and solidarity among members in trade and craft organizations. Medieval guilds, precursors to modern unions, operated as fraternal associations where members were bound by oaths of fidelity and collective welfare, often termed "confraternities" or "fraternitas" in historical records, emphasizing shared economic interests and protection. In the 19th century, U.S. labor unions like the Knights of Labor (founded 1869) explicitly invoked brotherhood, urging workers to treat one another as "brothers" to advance collective bargaining and social reform, a terminology rooted in egalitarian ideals that contrasted with hierarchical employer-employee relations. Similarly, the Freemasons formalized fraternal bonds through oaths sworn since the establishment of the first Grand Lodge in England in 1717, where initiates pledged secrecy and mutual aid as "brothers" in a speculative craft tradition derived from operative stonemasons. Secret societies exemplify exclusive brotherhoods that prioritize intense, lifelong commitments among select members. The society, founded in 1832 at by and , arose from disputes among debating groups and quickly became renowned for its rituals conducted in a windowless "" building, admitting only 15 seniors annually to foster elite networks through shared and symbolic trials. This organization, like others at Yale, emphasizes unbreakable fraternal oaths that extend influence into professional and political spheres, underscoring exclusivity as a core tenet of its bond. In the post-2010s era, fraternities and similar brotherhoods have faced pressures leading to reforms addressing and inclusivity. High-profile controversies, including deaths from initiation rituals, prompted widespread anti-hazing initiatives, such as campus-wide prevention models adopted by institutions like , which integrate education, policy enforcement, and advisor to reduce incidents. This trend continued into 2024 and 2025, with incidents leading to suspensions at universities including the ( chapter terminated in June 2025 for alcohol-related ) and the ( suspended until 2029 for a November 2024 incident). Concurrently, pushes for greater diversity have accelerated, with Greek organizations at universities like Yale implementing recruitment changes and to include more women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ members, responding to criticisms of historical exclusion and aiming to redefine brotherhood as more equitable. Efforts persisted in 2024, such as the University of Maryland's Fraternity and Sorority Life Transformation Initiative, which addressed and promoted inclusivity following investigations. These evolutions reflect broader societal demands for safer, more representative structures within these voluntary associations.

Symbolic and Idiomatic Uses

The term "brother" extends beyond its literal familial meaning into various idiomatic expressions that denote deep bonds, authority, or solidarity. One prominent is "blood brothers," which refers to individuals who form a ritualistic pact of lifelong , often through a symbolic mixing of blood, emphasizing a chosen stronger than biological ties. This expression originates from ancient rituals across cultures, including Native American and European traditions, where the act signified unbreakable . Another widely recognized is "big brother," symbolizing an overbearing authority figure or intrusive entity. Coined in George Orwell's dystopian novel (published 1949), it depicts the omnipresent leader of a totalitarian regime who monitors citizens' every move, a concept that has since permeated discussions of overreach and invasion. In , "brother" evokes themes of camaraderie and shared hardship, as seen in William Shakespeare's Henry V (written around ). In the , King Henry V rallies his outnumbered troops with the line, "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers," portraying soldiers as equals bound by mutual valor and destiny in battle, a for profound unity forged in adversity. Culturally, "brother" has served as a symbol of interracial and communal , particularly during the U.S. of the 1960s. frequently employed the term in speeches to foster unity, such as in his 1963 "" address, where he referred to "our white brothers" as allies in the struggle for equality, underscoring a vision of brotherhood transcending racial divides. This usage highlighted collective humanity and nonviolent coexistence, as King later echoed in warnings like "we must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." In (AAVE), variations like "soul brother" denote a fellow man with whom one shares cultural affinity, experiences, or mutual respect, emerging in the mid-20th century amid , , and civil rights contexts to affirm identity and within the . This term, alongside similar global idioms, illustrates how "brother" adapts to express elective bonds rooted in shared heritage or across diverse linguistic traditions. In modern legal systems, brothers hold specific rights as in cases of intestate succession, where a deceased individual leaves no valid will. Under the Uniform Probate Code (UPC) adopted in many U.S. states, if there is no surviving or , the intestate estate passes first to the decedent's parents; if both parents are deceased, it then goes to the issue of the parents, meaning siblings and their per . This structure prioritizes lineal and ascendants before collateral relatives like brothers, ensuring closer family ties are favored in property distribution. Regarding custody and guardianship, brothers may exercise rights to care for younger siblings through mechanisms like foster care or guardianship, particularly following post-2000 reforms aimed at preserving family connections. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 mandates that states make reasonable efforts to place siblings together in , guardianship, or adoptive placements unless such placement would be contrary to the child's safety or well-being, thereby supporting adult brothers as potential guardians to maintain sibling bonds. Adult brothers over 18 can apply to become licensed foster parents or guardians for their siblings, receiving support through federal programs like Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments, which provide financial aid without terminating parental rights. Legal obligations among brothers are generally limited, with no universal duty for adult siblings to provide financial support to one another in most jurisdictions. In systems like the U.S. and , there is no automatic legal requirement for brothers to financially assist each other absent specific orders, such as in guardianship cases involving incapacity. However, in some Asian jurisdictions with , such as and , adult children—including brothers—may share indirect obligations to support aging parents unable to provide for themselves, potentially extending family-wide duties through cultural and statutory frameworks emphasizing collective familial care. International variations highlight differences between and civil law traditions concerning sibling rights. In the UK under intestacy rules, brothers inherit the entire estate equally if there are no surviving , children, parents, or their issue, with half-siblings also qualifying but potentially sharing with full siblings. In contrast, France's civil law system under the Code Civil prioritizes descendants and ascendants with protections. In intestate succession without children, siblings inherit alongside surviving parents: if both parents are alive, the parents together receive half the estate and siblings the other half; if only one parent survives, that parent receives one quarter and siblings three quarters; if no parents survive, siblings receive the full estate. These approaches underscore a shared principle of sequential heirship but differ in the rigidity of protected shares for closer relatives.

Contemporary Cultural Representations

In contemporary media, the concept of "brother" has evolved from traditional portrayals of protective, competitive male siblings to more nuanced depictions that explore emotional vulnerability, racial solidarity, and diverse identities. This shift reflects broader societal changes, including greater emphasis on mental health, inclusivity, and social justice, moving away from mid-20th-century stereotypes of stoic, rivalry-driven brothers seen in earlier adaptations like the 1958 MGM film of The Brothers Karamazov, directed by Richard Brooks, which emphasized familial conflict and moral dilemmas among the Karamazov siblings. In the 21st century, film and television have increasingly highlighted brotherly bonds as sources of resilience and mutual support, as exemplified by the long-running series Supernatural (2005–2020), where brothers Sam and Dean Winchester navigate supernatural threats through a deep, often sacrificial partnership that underscores themes of loyalty and redemption. Music and literature have similarly reimagined "brother" as a symbol of communal strength, particularly in genres addressing marginalized experiences. In hip-hop, Public Enemy's 1990 track "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" from the album Fear of a Black Planet portrays Black men as interconnected "brothers" united against systemic oppression, fostering themes of collective action and empowerment that influenced subsequent rap narratives on brotherhood. Young adult literature has amplified sibling bonds between brothers, often depicting them as anchors amid personal turmoil; for instance, Adam Silvera's Infinity Son (2020) follows brothers Emil and Brighton as they discover their powers and confront family challenges, emphasizing loyalty and growth over rivalry. Social movements have repurposed "brother" to evoke , contrasting its historical exclusions of non-white or non-heteronormative figures. In the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests following George Floyd's murder in 2020, activists invoked "brothers" to signify inclusive among Black communities, as seen in statements from Indigenous groups standing in with "our Black brothers and sisters" to combat racial , a usage that persisted in post-2020 advocacy emphasizing shared struggles. Since the , media representations have increasingly incorporated and diversity, portraying LGBTQ+ brothers and non-binary siblings in ways that challenge binary norms. The ABC series Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011), particularly in its later seasons, featured Kevin Walker as an openly gay brother navigating family dynamics, relationships, and parenthood, contributing to normalized depictions of familial roles. More recent examples, such as the sibling interactions in Pose (2018–2021), include trans and gay "brothers" within houses, emphasizing chosen family and support networks that extend traditional brotherhood beyond biological ties. In 2024, the series depicted the reunion of estranged brothers Bruce and Charles from a Taiwanese triad family, exploring themes of , protection, and reconciliation in an Asian American context, further advancing diverse portrayals of brotherly relationships. These portrayals mark a departure from earlier stereotypes, prioritizing authentic diversity and emotional complexity in brotherly relationships.

References

  1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brother
  2. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/brother
  3. https://familytreemagazine.com/records/common-kinship-terms-found-in-records/
  4. https://support.ancestry.com/s/article/Siblings-Half-Siblings-and-Stepsiblings-in-Family-Trees
  5. https://www.etymonline.com/word/brother
  6. https://linguistics.stackexchange.com/questions/44922/derivation-of-the-indo-european-lemma-b%25CA%25B0r%25C3%25A9h%25E2%2582%2582t%25C4%2593r-brother
  7. https://www.oed.com/dictionary/brother_n?tl=true
  8. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/b%25CA%25B0r%25C3%25A9h%25E2%2582%2582t%25C4%2593r
  9. https://www.quora.com/Why-does-the-Spanish-word-for-%25E2%2580%259Cbrother%25E2%2580%259D-not-sound-like-the-French-or-Italian
  10. https://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Axw
  11. https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-say-brother-in-multiple-languages
  12. https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/540269/what-are-existing-gender-neutral-words-for-various-relatives
  13. https://thednaexchange.com/2023/01/03/no-quibbling-over-sibling-sisters-and-brothers-we-are-one/
  14. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Fraternal-Twins
  15. https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g2911
  16. https://web.stanford.edu/~philr/Bachman/DNABachman3.html
  17. https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212879967-Haplogroup-Different-From-Family-Members
  18. https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/tracking-inheritance-human-mitochondrial-dna
  19. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC21551/
  20. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/identical-twins
  21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6875762/
  22. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3127252/
  23. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/oldest-child-syndrome-and-birth-order
  24. https://www.apadivisions.org/division-6/publications/newsletters/neuroscientist/2011/04/evolutionary-family
  25. https://academic.oup.com/book/3007/chapter/143726767
  26. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/feature-sibling-relationships
  27. https://www.gpb.org/news/shots-health-news/2024/04/27/got-brothers-or-sisters-warm-sibling-bonds-help-boost-happiness
  28. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/cain-and-abel/
  29. https://www.gotquestions.org/who-are-my-mother-and-brothers.html
  30. https://biblehub.com/topical/b/brotherhood.htm
  31. https://www.biblword.net/why-do-christians-call-each-other-brothers-and-sisters/
  32. https://substitutionalist.com/the-brotherhood-of-believers/
  33. https://readingacts.com/2011/01/25/acts-242-47-the-early-community-of-believers/
  34. https://baptistbiblehour.org/read/articles/family-god
  35. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09093a.htm
  36. https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/benedictine-order
  37. https://www.sbfranciscans.org/be-a-friar/discernment/brother-or-friar/
  38. https://www.abuaminaelias.com/dailyhadithonline/2012/03/03/believers-like-body/
  39. https://abukhadeejah.com/what-is-true-brotherhood-in-islam-and-in-the-sunnah-and-what-are-its-requirements/
  40. https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-jacob-and-esau-reconcile
  41. https://www.bnaibrith.org/175th/
  42. https://southasia.ucla.edu/religions/texts/ramayana/
  43. https://asiasociety.org/education/jati-caste-system-india
  44. https://www.britannica.com/topic/blood-brotherhood
  45. https://www.goucher.edu/learn/provost/academic-excellence/phi-beta-kappa/history
  46. https://www.elon.edu/u/academics/societies/phi-beta-kappa/history/
  47. https://www.elgaronline.com/monochap/9781788112444/07_chapter1.xhtml
  48. https://www.ncpedia.org/anchor/primary-source-knights-labor
  49. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3012287/
  50. https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/4072-the-origins-of-the-tomb
  51. https://hazing.cornell.edu/prevention/hazing-prevention-model
  52. https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/06/university-of-utah-fraternity-hazing-sigma-nu-epsilon-lambda-fraternity/
  53. https://www.kcrg.com/2025/05/12/univ-iowa-fraternity-suspended-2024-hazing-incident/
  54. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/05/22/greek-life-pushes-for-inclusivity-amid-campus-criticism/
  55. https://fsl.umd.edu/transformation-initiative
  56. https://www.honorsociety.org/articles/embracing-mosaic-rise-diversity-greek-life
  57. https://grammarist.com/idiom/blood-brother/
  58. https://nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/famous/we-happy-few/
  59. https://www.npr.org/2010/01/18/122701268/i-have-a-dream-speech-in-its-entirety
  60. https://www.uniformlaws.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=23db9ca0-3f16-99cd-da87-9ee963cab400
  61. https://wearefamiliesrising.org/resource/fostering-connections-to-success-and-increasing-adoptions-act/
  62. https://acf.gov/cb/focus-areas/kinship-care
  63. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5677618/
  64. https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will
  65. https://www.notaires.fr/en/donation-succession/succession/order-succession-and-inheritance-tax
  66. https://interlude.hk/films-adapted-from-dostoevsky-novels-the-brothers-karamazov/
  67. https://collider.com/best-duos-in-supernatural-tv-shows/
  68. https://theboombox.com/public-enemy-brothers-gonna-work-it-out-underrated-black-liberation-anthem/
  69. https://www.epicreads.com/blog/ya-books-with-brothers/
  70. https://aipi.asu.edu/blog/2020/06/indian-country-stands-solidarity-black-lives-matter
  71. https://www.advocate.com/television/2019/11/28/20-most-important-lgbtq-tv-shows-decade
  72. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/lgbtq-tv-shows-watch-streaming-1012035/
  73. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-brothers-sun-cast-michelle-yeoh
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.