Unpacking a popular wellness trend
Learning how to fight and have disagreements is a useful life skill. However, as only children don't really have anyone to argue with growing up, it might present some difficulties later in life.
There's the possibility of some only children developing "little emperor syndrome," a situation in which the parents lavish their love, attention, and resources on the child. This might result in the child becoming too spoiled.
This is usually the first disadvantage that comes to mind when people think of only children. And it's true at times, as many only children longed for a sibling.
The flip side of being too independent is that only children have the tendency to do everything by themselves. They have to learn how to ask for help and for the opinions of others.
One of the downsides to having no siblings is that there's no one to share responsibilities with. Be it with house chores or later in life to help organize family gatherings.
As parents only have one child to focus on, they may become too attached to the child's success and try to live through them, rather than giving them space.
Since only children spend a lot of time with adults, they can feel a bit uncomfortable relating to other children. They can have a bit of difficulty letting loose and playing like the other kids.
Some parents to only kids may put too much pressure on them to succeed in their studies or work. This can cause anxiety and low self-esteem.
Only children tend to have a hard time when it comes to teamwork. This is because they’re used to organizing things their way and making decisions individually.
A related effect of not having to disagree with anyone is ignorance of perspectives different from your own. Only children might expect their approach to problems to be the same as others, and not see other point of views.
When parents get older, being an only child can become a lot of responsibility, as there are no siblings to help take care of the parents. It might be overwhelming.
With no siblings to confide in, the parents of only children are the closest people who they can turn to.
As there are no siblings around to split time with, only children get the full attention from both parents. However, if you're more rebellious, this might be a con.
Sometimes kids get away with it, other times they don’t. When it comes to only children, parents won't ask who made the mess. They already know who did it.
As only children are the main focus of the parents, they can get used to having everything done, managed, and taken care of for them. This could result in spoiled behavior.
Not having siblings means only children make more decisions on their own. This also means they entertain and occupy themselves more.
Without any brother or sister, forget about any comparisons. Only children are often seen as their own person, far from the shadow of any sibling.
One of the effects of spending a lot of time with adults is that only children learn how to think like them, making them seem more mature for their age.
Parents are able to spend more money, time, and attention on the child's schooling. They will also find it easier to save for their child's college/university education.
Obviously being an only child means that the parents have only one child to spend the money on. It doesn't have to be shared among other siblings.
Sure, there might be some occasional bickering between parents and child, but it's not a regular occurrence in the household as it would be with siblings.
Parents may spend more time teaching their child to be independent so that they can build confidence and feel less pressure as they get older.
When people grow up without siblings, they usually spend more time around adults. This teaches them to interact and relate with much older people.
Travel is a lot easier and more affordable with only one kid. Also, it's much easier to accommodate a group of three when trying to get into restaurants and even when buying tickets.
With the lack of siblings, and sometimes even cousins, only children often grow up with family friends who become their chosen family.
With no siblings around, and being the main focus of their parents, only children will always be the favorite child. Forget about competition!
Not having siblings means that only children are forced, positively, to choose friends wisely. They'll probably have more lasting friendships than people who have siblings.
As only children don't have to share things with siblings, they get more toys than normal, as well as money to spend, and later on more inheritance.
Only children will notice that their parents are more lively, sleep better, and actually have hobbies. Not having more children gives them a lot more time for themselves!
Sources: (Metro) (BBC)
See also: How to cope with a dysfunctional family
When people think about only children, there's often a negative connotation to it, as they're seen to be more selfish than someone who has siblings. People often believe that they’re spoiled, antisocial, and anti-sharing, but there are many positive sides of being an only child as well. Curious? Check out this gallery for the advantages and disadvantages of not having siblings.
The pros and cons of being an only child
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LIFESTYLE Childhood
When people think about only children, there's often a negative connotation to it, as they're seen to be more selfish than someone who has siblings. People often believe that they’re spoiled, antisocial, and anti-sharing, but there are many positive sides of being an only child as well. Curious? Check out this gallery for the advantages and disadvantages of not having siblings.