Sistership vs. Sisterhood — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 20, 2024
Sistership focuses on the relationship between female siblings, emphasizing kinship; sisterhood extends to broader bonds among women, reflecting shared experiences or goals.
Difference Between Sistership and Sisterhood
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sistership specifically denotes the connection between sisters by blood or adoption, highlighting biological or legal familial ties. In contrast, sisterhood can encompass a wider range of relationships among women, not limited by familial connections, often formed around mutual support and common interests.
Sistership is often characterized by the unique dynamics of sibling relationships, including shared childhoods and familial responsibilities. Meanwhile, sisterhood might arise among women in various contexts such as social movements, workplaces, or friendship groups, driven by empathy and solidarity.
Sistership involves personal interactions and experiences shared between sisters, growing up together and influencing each other's development. On the other hand, sisterhood can develop through collective experiences and shared struggles or achievements, even among women who do not share a personal history.
While sistership is restricted to the familial dimension, sisterhood may also have ideological or organizational aspects, such as in feminist movements or professional networks. Sisterhood often carries connotations of empowerment and collective action, focusing on the strength found in female unity and collaboration.
Comparison Chart
Basis
Familial ties.
Shared ideals, experiences, or goals.
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Scope
Limited to biological or legal sisters.
Can include any group of women, regardless of familial ties.
Common Associations
Family gatherings, shared upbringing, personal histories.
Feminism, professional networks, social movements.
Emotional Context
Often personal and direct, involving intimate life experiences.
Can be ideological, supporting collective empowerment and unity.
Compare with Definitions
Sistership
Relationship between female siblings.
Their sistership strengthened over the years despite their differences.
Sisterhood
Support system among women in various contexts.
The club promoted a culture of sisterhood and support.
Sistership
Emotional ties between sisters.
Their sistership brought them closer, overcoming any misunderstandings.
Sisterhood
Feminist empowerment and association.
The march showcased the powerful impact of sisterhood.
Sistership
Interaction dynamics specific to sisters.
The sistership involved a lot of shared secrets and childhood memories.
Sisterhood
A bond of solidarity among women.
The group felt a strong sense of sisterhood in their advocacy work.
Sistership
Bond of sisterly affection and loyalty.
Their sistership was evident in how they supported each other in tough times.
Sisterhood
Emotional and ideological connections among women.
The sisterhood in the community helped them face societal challenges.
Sistership
Familial connection by birth or law.
Their sistership was recognized legally when she was adopted.
Sisterhood
Unity among women with common goals.
Their sisterhood was instrumental in advancing their careers.
Sistership
Alternative form of sister ship
Sisterhood
The state or relationship of being a sister or sisters.
Sistership
The role or position of sister.
Sisterhood
The quality of being sisterly.
Sistership
The kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings
Sisterhood
A society, especially a religious society, of women.
Sisterhood
Association or unification of women in a common cause.
Sisterhood
The state, or kinship of being sisters.
Sisterhood
The quality of being sisterly; sisterly companionship; especially, the sense that women have of being in solidarity with one another.
Sisterhood
A religious society of women.
Sisterhood
(feminism) The idea of universal experience amongst women, regardless of other traits or factors. (Considered obsolete in third-wave feminism.)
Sisterhood
The state or relation of being a sister; the office or duty of a sister.
She . . . abhorr'dHer proper blood, and left to do the partOf sisterhood, to do that of a wife.
Sisterhood
A society of sisters; a society of women united in one faith or order; sisters, collectively.
The fair young flowers . . . a beauteous sisterhood.
Sisterhood
The kinship relation between a female offspring and the siblings
Sisterhood
A religious society of sisters (especially an order of nuns)
Common Curiosities
What defines a sistership?
Sistership is defined by the biological or legal relationship between sisters.
Is sisterhood restricted to feminist groups?
No, sisterhood can be part of any group of women who feel a collective bond, though it is often associated with feminist movements.
How do sistership and sisterhood differ in emotional context?
Sistership involves more personal, intimate experiences, while sisterhood may also include broader, ideological connections.
What are common contexts for sisterhood to develop?
Sisterhood often develops in movements, workplaces, or among friends who share common interests or struggles.
How do sistership and sisterhood impact personal development?
Sistership impacts personal development through familial dynamics and support, whereas sisterhood provides a broader supportive network.
Can sisterhood be found in professional settings?
Yes, professional networks of women often foster a sense of sisterhood, emphasizing support and mentorship.
How does sisterhood extend beyond familial bonds?
Sisterhood encompasses bonds formed among women based on shared experiences, ideals, or goals, not just familial ties.
Can sistership exist without a biological connection?
Yes, sistership can include adoptive relationships, where legal ties create sisterly bonds.
Can men be part of a sisterhood?
Typically, sisterhood refers specifically to bonds among women, but men can support and ally with sisterhood causes.
What role does sisterhood play in social movements?
Sisterhood can be a driving force in social movements, emphasizing solidarity and collective action among women.
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Written by
Maham LiaqatEdited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.