Gender Identity
     Growing up with siblings of the same sex or opposite sex affects gender identity.  Many may believe that the sexual identity of one sibling may infuence another sibling such as boys with older sisters may be considered a "sissy" while girls with older brothers "tomboys".  Studies have found just the opposite to be true.  Children will often strive to be different from other siblings.  According to psychological studies siblings of different sexes are both more stimulating and more stressful to each other than same-sex siblings.  In all-girl and all-boy families, children are more likely to be assigned "cross-gender" chores because no "gender-appropriate" child is available to do the job.  So in families in which siblings are all the same sex special opportunities to step out of traditional gender roles will probably more likely be provided than mixed-sibling families.