Growing up with an aunt has a huge role in a nieces life. I have a great relationship with mine. She's like a second mother to me. She's a part of who I am today. 

Aunts have can show you a new way of life. You can travel around the world with them. They encourage you to try new things like college. They tell how they did things and you can emulate that into your life. 

They help their nieces understand their parents better. Therefore, kids can learn to appreciate the parents by their aunts telling them about their parents. They will see the struggles and life choices are similar to their own. So forth, it will bring everyone closer together. Aunts even mediate between the kids and parents in a difficult situation.