AITA for not wanting a relationship with my twin sister?

A 20-year-old man and his twin sister grew up in the same household, but their lives couldn’t have been more different. She’s the outgoing, sporty “golden child” who thrives socially, while he’s more introverted, nerdy, and struggles with making friends. For years, his parents constantly compared him to her — “Why can’t you be more like your sister?” — fueling her relentless bullying.

When he finally confronted her, she dismissed him with cruel comments like “man up” (mocking his military service), and his parents took her side. Hurt and fed up, he packed his things, moved out, and told them not to contact him again. Now they’re sending half-hearted apologies and guilt-tripping him, but he’s done. Is he the asshole for cutting contact?

‘AITA for not wanting a relationship with my twin sister?’

The twins have always been opposites, with the sister favored by their parents:

He confronted her about the bullying:

This story illustrates the deep damage caused by parental favoritism and sibling bullying, especially in twins where comparisons are constant. The “golden child” dynamic often leads to resentment, low self-esteem, and toxic relationships for the less-favored sibling. The sister’s mocking of his military service and the parents’ enabling behavior crossed into emotional abuse.

Cutting contact (even temporarily) can be a healthy boundary when family refuses to acknowledge harm. Experts recommend therapy to process bottled-up emotions and rebuild self-worth independently. Reconnection is possible if the family shows genuine change — remorse, accountability, and behavioral shifts — but forcing it prematurely can retraumatize.

According to psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, “Favoritism creates lifelong wounds. The scapegoated child often feels they must earn love, while the golden child learns entitlement. No-contact can be protective until real change occurs.” (Source: her work on family systems and narcissistic dynamics.)

The young man is doing the right thing by prioritizing his mental health through army counseling. Boundaries aren’t punishment — they’re self-preservation. If the family truly cares, they’ll respect his space and work on themselves.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

The online community overwhelmingly supported the OP (NTA), praising his courage in setting boundaries and cutting toxicity.

Most celebrated his decision to leave and urged him to prioritize his well-being:

Many shared similar experiences with golden child siblings and advised caution in reconciliation:

Others joked about the title but affirmed his choice:

This powerful story highlights how parental favoritism and sibling bullying can scar deeply, especially between twins. The young man’s decision to leave and cut contact isn’t cruel — it’s self-protection after years of pain. His parents and sister enabled toxicity, and real apologies require accountability, not minimization.

Focusing on therapy and his army life is the healthiest path forward. What do you think? Was he right to go no-contact, or should he have tried talking more? Have you experienced golden child dynamics in your family? Share your thoughts below!