Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Only child = lonly child?



A few weeks ago I read an article in the “check-it-magazine" about only children. Teenagers without any siblings listed the advantages and the disadvantages of growing up as an only child. The opinions on being an only child were quite mixed – some saw it as a great opportunity to have the parents for him/her alone, but quite a few thought it would be sometimes boring to have no one to talk to. I also have no siblings, but I have actually never really thought about that – I have always accepted the fact that I’m the only child in my family. Many people, who don’t know how it is to grow up as the only child of a family, think that we are egocentric as we’ve never learned how to compromise and share things with other children. In addition to that, only children are often prejudiced to be solitary persons and prefer to be on their own. BUT: to all of you who really believe that, here’s the “truth” about being an only child!

When I was younger, I often played with my neighbours in the afternoons, but in the evenings I was used to play on my own in my room. Sure, I sometimes missed playing and talking with children in my age, especially when I went with my parents on holidays. But due to this, I often started to play with other children in the hotel and thus I was able to make a lot of friends.  Since I was alone with my parents, I was somehow forced to approach others. This is why I think that only children are often even more outgoing than others. 



When it comes to sharing, I was brought up in a way that wouldn’t even let me hesitate a second to share my things. I even think that growing up in a big house with many siblings makes you a bit more possessive as you always have to “fight” for your toys and sweets (well, this is my opinion.. maybe I exaggerate too much ^^). I know quite a few people who have at least one sibling but who are not willing to share like some others without siblings. Also the fact that I had my parents on my own didn’t make me seeking for attention. For me, it always seemed as we three would be equal, not like a hierarchy of superiors and inferiors.  

But: I also have to admit that I prefer working on my own. For example, when we had to do group or team work at school, I always prefered to work on my own and try to find the right solutions without the help of others. I can't say whether this is because I'm an only child or just because I don't want to be dependend on others. 




Well, this is my sight of growing up without siblings.. If you disagree with my statements or want to add something, just leave a comment! I’m curious what you think about only children or if you are an only child as well, how it was like for you to grow up without siblings!

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