Why every single woman should have a ‘big brother’
HAVING a big brother, a nice big brother, can be a real asset to any single woman, especially a single mother.
It is a real privilege when you can call upon a responsible big brother to intervene in matters such as helping to give your son that pep talk that a daddy would normally give, or to rein in a partner who stepped out of line.
A big brother plays some very important roles in a single woman’s life. He plays the role of confidant, advisor, advisor to her male child, unofficial bodyguard, and cracks the whip when men try to take advantage of her.
Big brothers can be quite protective of their sisters, married or single. You see, a big brother knows how men think because he is a man. More often than not, he knows the player flex and he can spot a player very easily and warn his sister against allowing him too close.
I asked some of my male friends about the benefits of a single woman having a big brother. Here are some of the insights they shared.
1. Unofficial bodyguard
Having a big brother puts men on their Ps and Qs. A single woman who has a big brother who is very involved in her life is less likely to get slapped around by men. Writer Tre Young thinks that men respect these women more because they know that they have someone who looks out for them. Women who have experienced physical abuse in relationships have often had to call on their big brothers to handle their partners.
2. Advisor
Big brothers offer good advice to their sisters about men. A woman can call upon her big brother for advice when it comes to understanding men, and she can do this without the fear of that advice being tainted by jealousy. What makes big brother a good advisor to his sister? Firstly, big brother is a man, he may have played the field and knows all the tricks in the book. What’s interesting is that these men, although they may have played women, do not want to see their sisters get played! Consequently, he will do everything in his power to teach you how to avoid getting your heart broken.
3. Offers brutally honest advice
Big brothers are brutally honest in advising their sisters. A big brother for the most part will have genuine love for you so he will tell you the truth about your relationship and he sees past the smooth lyrics and the ‘pretty boy’ looks that you are so in love with. Women can be very emotional when it comes to relationships, but big brother tells you the truth even if it hurts. He does this because he knows you are thinking with your heart and not your head so he tries to protect you.
4. Helps you to raise your male children
The issue of absentee fathers has increased the value of big brothers who often play that role in the lives of their sisters’ children. Regardless of how many times you may have heard women say they don’t need a man to help them raise their children, that’s not true. Boys in particular need that strong male figure in their lives, and big brothers can be very helpful to their sisters who are single mothers.
If you’re a single woman who doesn’t have a biological big brother, you can have that relationship with a family friend or colleague who preferably does not have a romantic interest in you.
Marie Berbick aka ‘The PR Girl’, is a communications specialist, motivational speaker and founder of the women’s ministry Sisters United for Prayer, Healing, Empowerment & Restoration (SUPHER). Follow her on twitter @thePR Girl or e-mail marieberbick@gmail.com.
