From the UK: What happens when we become a nation of only children?
Latest figures show homes with just one child now make up 46 per cent of all families and could soon be in the majority of the current trend continues. Currently there are some 3.43 million homes with only-children and 2.91 million with two youngsters. Families with three or more children are also in decline.
On a societal level–who knows–I’m sure there are some serious ramifications. Personally, however, this would have been a great tragedy. No one to jump through Fun Fountain with, no one kicking me in the back seat on long car rides–no one to follow around the house… the list could go on and on, really. Even today, no one to call who understands my anxiety-ridden gene pool, and can tell me in no uncertain terms when to let something go.
(This article courtesy of the lovely Brigitte.)
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Also creates a society of very selfish and self-absorbed people, as I would say that most children learn to share and think about others when they arn’t the only child in the household.
I don’t want to contribute to this trend of only having one child, but seriously – we are poor. I feel really guilty knowing that we may never have another, because I want my son to have siblings and I know that a larger family would benefit us and the rest of the world on so many levels…but I think I might feel more guilty not being able to properly feed my kids or take them to the doctor.
I struggle with this. I’m not at all trying to buy into a victimhood mentality – I’m not asking or wanting anyone else to give me anything. I’m trying to be responsible and for us, at least for the next several years, means having a small family. But it kind of sucks to think that others may view us as selfish and self-absorbed people (or breeders of such) when we try hard to do what’s best for our son and his future, which may or may not include more children.
As one person wisely said “the greatest thing you can give your children is siblings.”
And most importantly of all, nobody else to blame for _________ (breaking the dishes, breaking the toy airplane, accidentally kicking a hole in the wall, eating the last popsicle, &c.)!
😮
I’m an only child – my parents had a very hard time conceiving me and couldn’t conceive another child – and I don’t consider my life, childhood, or family situation to be a “great tragedy” at all. I am not selfish and I am not self-absorbed. I’m sure I would have been happy if I’d had siblings, but I never missed them or longed for them or felt as though I was being deprived of something. Only children don’t live in little isolated boxes. They still have to learn to get along with other people and learn how to share and learn how to make friends like any other little kid. Trust me, I didn’t spend my childhood reigning supreme over the household, getting everything I wanted, and demanding a ninth pony.
Personally, I think I had some advantages in being an only child, though I’m sure I would have had different advantages if I’d had siblings. I lived solely with adults, so I never felt intimidated by adults, and because time spent with my immediate family was time spent with adults I had a vocabulary several grade levels ahead of other people my age. I have a very close relationship with both my parents. Though of course I had friends, I learned how to entertain myself and see the value of being able to think quietly on my own. Frankly, dealing with stereotypes and condescending attitudes about only children was a lot more difficult and frustrating than simply being one.