The Sibling Bond
We’re changing things up a bit in the next couple of weeks. We’ll continue to provide the latest updates. However, we’ll kick off each day’s newsletter by highlighting some of our favorite reads from the year and other interesting end-of-2025 content. We hope you’ll appreciate the opportunity to take a moment to unwind. I left Germany at 17 to pursue my studies in the United States and later in Britain. My younger brother, who is five years my junior, also ventured out, studying in France, the U.S., and even — to outdo me — in China. We recently reminisced about our quite ordinary, small-town German roots and noted that neither of our parents ever ventured outside Germany. We pondered the likelihood, perhaps greater than one might assume, that both of us would lead international lives. Check out my colleague Susan Dominus’s eye-opening and thought-provoking magazine article exploring the extent to which siblings impact one another. You’re in for a delightful read.
When considering the elements that shape us, we naturally think of our parents. The dynamics between parents and children serve as the foundation for likely centuries of psychoanalytic dialogue and scholarly exploration; parenting guides consistently rank among the best-sellers, with recommendations that change as frequently as dietary advice regarding what to eat or drink and in what quantities. Yet, the decisions that many caring parents wrestle with — such as whether to co-sleep or not, or whether to strictly enforce rules or sometimes allow flexibility — aren’t nearly as influential as we may think. This doesn’t imply that genetics reign supreme; rather, nurture encompasses much more than just parenting — children are subject to a plethora of environmental influences, including (to start) the media they engage with and the friends and educators with whom they spend the majority of their day. And then there are siblings. “I think the impact of siblings on one another is an area within psychology that has not nearly gotten the recognition it warrants,” commented Lisa Damour, a psychologist and author renowned for her work on adolescence. Anyone raising multiple children, Damour noted, or who has siblings, instinctively understands that these relationships significantly influence who we become. Psychologists have long maintained that siblings find ways to set themselves apart from one another, accentuating certain traits while softening others, compelling each other into roles that can coexist within the family unit. This certainly holds true for the siblings in one remarkable family I encountered.
Pumas vs. penguins— In the early 20th century, sheep farming drove pumas out of Patagonia, located along Argentina’s coast. With the predators absent, Magellanic penguins moved into the area. Currently, conservation initiatives have reintroduced pumas, who are now preying on their favorite new flightless, feathered food source.
What they’re watching … in Japan “Black Box Diaries,” a striking documentary by Japanese journalist Shiori Ito detailing her battle against Japan’s patriarchal legal system, was nominated for an Oscar post its release last year. However, the film, where Ito shares her allegations of rape against a notable television journalist, had not been screened in Japan, partly due to privacy concerns. This month saw the premiere of an edited version of “Black Box Diaries” in Tokyo. (Several scenes were modified to protect the identities of individuals involved, including a group of female journalists, a taxi driver, and a police investigator.) Initial showings were sold out and garnered acclaim from audiences. Nevertheless, Ito, who has become a prominent figure in Japan’s #MeToo movement, continues to face criticism for not doing enough to safeguard the privacy of individuals featured in her documentary. Ito expressed her gratitude that “Black Box Diaries” could finally be viewed in her home country, stating at a recent press conference, “I’m just so happy that today, finally, we can tell this story.” — Javier C. Hernández, Tokyo bureau chief
REPORTER RECOMMENDATIONS
Paris My colleague Ségolène Le Stradic reports from her hometown, Paris, and has shared some recommendations for enjoying the city, particularly during the holiday season. Dine on the Rue de Ménilmontant or the Rue de Belleville. These two parallel streets in the northeastern part of Paris are brimming with the city’s finest and most affordable eateries, predominantly serving Asian and African cuisine. If you’re craving traditional French fare, Rond offers the best crepes in the city. Ascend to the Belvédère de Belleville for a breathtaking panoramic view of Paris. Catch a film at Le Louxor. Its neo-Egyptian façade is immediately recognizable, and it has become an iconic spot after over a century in the community. Watching a film from the balcony in the main hall feels like stepping back into history, and the upper bar provides a view of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Montmartre. Skate at the Grand Palais, a spacious glass-roofed exhibition venue that has been transformed into an ice rink until January 13. In the evenings, a massive disco ball above the rink turns the place into a lively disco scene. Near the Champs-Élysées, another must-visit during Christmas. These not overly sweet Korean honey cookies, fried and then immersed in gingery syrup, boast a uniquely soft and chewy exterior yet a flaky inside. Referred to as yakgwa (yak meaning “medicine,” and gwa meaning “confection”), these delicacies trace back to the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) and are currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity in Seoul and around the globe, thanks to social media.
WHERE IS THIS?
TIME TO PLAY
Here are today’s Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, Wordle, and Sudoku. Discover all our games here. You’re done for today. See you tomorrow! — Katrin
Correction: In Wednesday’s newsletter, an incorrect pronoun was utilized for a person who shared their breakup experience with The Times. Lu Valena uses they/them pronouns, not she/her.
We welcome your thoughts. Send us your suggestions at theworld@nytimes.com.
Published: 2025-12-21 21:22:00
source: www.nytimes.com
