The advantages and disadvantages of being an only child
In our parents’ days, being an only child was unusual. In those days, people had bigger families, and it was common for a family to have four or five or even more children. But for our generation, I notice, two or even one child seems to be the norm. An only child often gets more attention from his parents. As there is no other sibling to compete for his parents’ attention, it is easy for an only child to get his way. My neighbor Cecilia is an only child. Since she was young, she has always been the first one to own the latest toy and gadget. Now that she is a teenager, Cecilia is always dressed in the latest fashion.
The only child often has no one to play with. As a result, he is more resourceful in keeping himself entertained. He is usually good at an activity that he can indulge in without a companion such as creative writing, reading and painting. An only child also tends to mature faster because he is always surrounded by adults. I think the greatest disadvantage of being an only child is that he does not have any brother or sister to play with.
As children, my sister and I were always playing together. We would play all kinds of games. When we grew up, we exchange news about clothes and friends, and confide in each other. Of course, we often quarrel and bicker with each other. But our sibling bond is special. The only child has the disadvantage of not knowing this relationship. It must also be lonely at times not to have a companion of his generation in the family.
As the only child often gets his way, he does not have the opportunity to learn to share. A child with siblings inevitably has to learn to share food, toys and even his parents’ affection. This can be annoying in childhood, but it will help him get along with people as he grows older. On the other hand, an only child who does not receive parental guidance will take it for granted that his needs and wants will always come first. That is why some people who grow up as only children have trouble sharing things in school. As they grow up, they will also face the same problem in situations which require teamwork.
An only child may also face unreasonable expectations from his parents. They may focus all their dreams on the child, and assume that he would fulfill them. I am sure that there are times when an only child wishes that he has brothers and sisters. Perhaps it would help him to know that there are times when some of us who have siblings envy the privileges and attention enjoyed by an only child.
