Today in Cagli, big brothers are still big brothers, but they are no longer surrogate fathers. Family relationships have been changing in Cagli, said both younger and older Cagli residents.
"If the male was older than his female sibling, then he had the mentality of his father and controlled the life of his younger sister," said historian/councilwoman Lucia Braccini. "In the past, men used to consider women to have no free will. Women have overcome completely now; both men and women are free."
Braccini said that if the brother were older, he would instruct his younger sister where to go, how to dress, whom to associate with, and how to act. He would assume the role of the father and display a great deal of dominance, control and extensive protection.
Now, however, Braccini said, regardless of age, "brother and sister basically have the same rules and regulations; they are equal."
"Equality is the basis of a sibling relationship within a family", said Braccini. Family is regarded as a solid core, the fundamental building block of life in Cagli.
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