The Incredible Impact of Brothers on Our Lives

Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and economics at Boston University, observed similarly remarkable outcomes at the university level. He analyzed a dataset of students whose scores were close to the cutoff points for entry into what are referred to as “target colleges.” These candidates are nearly identical, differing by just 10 points or less, highlighting that one student’s score can hinge on minor variations. Generally, those who were just above the threshold gained admittance, while those just below did not. Goodman discovered that younger siblings of successful individuals were significantly more likely to attend equally selective universities compared to older siblings who missed the cutoff by a few points. The younger siblings who managed to enter a prestigious university likely elevated their aspirations, seeing a clear path ahead thanks to their older siblings’ experiences.

Michelle Obama’s university experience mirrors Goodman’s findings, despite his research being conducted decades later. Raised in a working-class neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, Obama’s parents did not initially consider Ivy League schools for her. Her older brother Craig excelled academically and gained the advantage of athletic prowess, earning a spot on the basketball team at Princeton University. In her book, Becoming, Obama reflects on the impact of observing her brother’s journey, stating, “No one in my family had any first-hand experience with university, so there was little discussion or exploration.” She noted that she wanted to emulate her brother’s achievements, which ultimately made Princeton a viable choice for her. Despite a guidance counselor suggesting she “wasn’t Princeton material,” Obama remained undeterred, confident in her abilities and potential.

Research by Zang and Goodman indicates that positive interventions for one child from a low-income family can ripple out to benefit their siblings. This suggests that interventions may yield greater overall impact than previously thought, enhancing not just the individual child’s experience, but potentially altering the life trajectories of their entire family.

Zang’s study revealed that nearly one-third of academic similarities among siblings could be attributed to these spillover effects, rather than shared environments or common genetics. However, these ripple effects can also be detrimental, particularly in disadvantaged families. Children from such backgrounds often face academic challenges due to various obstacles. Zang posits that a child with academic ambitions may experience greater distress if their sibling suffers setbacks, as academic performance is a reliable predictor of future income, which can subsequently lead to diminished earnings across the family.

Both Zang and Goodman emphasize that the spillover effect is most pronounced in underprivileged families, suggesting a need for researchers to recognize that sibling influences function differently based on socioeconomic status. For instance, a 2022 study published in the *Frontiers in Psychology* complicated the well-known assertion that the eldest siblings are the most academically esteemed within families. It found that the oldest children in high-risk families and those with non-native English speaking parents do not perform better on cognitive tests, even if they are more prepared for school at age two. This suggests that these families experience increased interaction with older siblings due to their unique challenges.