Sibling Relationships

The book The Other Wes Moore, written by Wes Moore, features many important relationships. These relationships allow us to gain insight into characters as well as learn lessons. One important relationship in the book is between Tony and the other Wes Moore. These two are brothers with a large age gap and different fathers. Their relationship is strong, as Tony teaches Wes how to stay safe in their uncertain neighborhood. However Tony also tries to teach Wes to stay away from the same mistakes Tony has made. Tony is in the drug game in Baltimore, he spends his days prowling the streets and selling drugs to people. This gives him a lot of money and resources, which Wes enveys. However because this situation is unsafe and sketchy, Tony really tries to keep Wes away from it. Wes understands that the drug game is not something you want to be involved in, but he also wants to have the resources and street credit the game gives. He ultimately ends up getting involved. This is despite Tony's attempts to protect and advise Wes. 

This relationship, in some ways, reminds me of me and my little sister. Although drastically different because I am not a drug dealer, and we are from a very safe neighborhood we have some similarities. I do try to advise her on my mistakes and how she can avoid them. For example, early this year my sister was learning how to drive, I told her that she should drive to the test. She should look at the road in an extended fashion to make it clear to the examiner that she is looking. I got points knocked down for not looking at the road enough. I know that it is because the examinar needs to see your head move, and not your eyes. I told her this and she agreed but also giggled and did not take me too seriously. In the end, she ended up failing her test for not observing the road in a way that the examiner could see. I supported her through this hardship despite the fact that I warned her, but she was able to take her test again a few weeks later and passed. She did not want to listen to my advice, and she went against it, it ended up being an annoyance for her. Just like Wes and Tony, the younger sibling rarely wants to take the advice of the older sibling. 

I try to look out for her so she does not have to deal with the struggles or annoyances I have but she doesn't always care or want to take that advice. I think that it is the nature of sibling relationships. We can try and try but they have to make the mistakes for themselves. Although sometimes, she really takes what I have to say to heart. My sister is currently working on her college research, I told her to start early because I started really late and it was incredibly stressful. She saw me deal with my mistake and how much stress it caused me, so she chose to not make the same mistakes. 

Overall I think the older sibling always tries to support their younger sibling in having an easier time. It’s really a gamble on whether or not they take it. That just comes down to human nature though.