Is it normal that i believe that only children have it made?

56% Normal
16 Comments

I'm a older twin and I have 4 older half brothers. I believe that if you're an only child, you're extremely lucky and have it made. You don't have to deal with sibling rivalry, you're literally the center of your parents' universe, you get all the love and attention, you generally grow up to be more independent and mature, you tend to exceed better in school, and you don't have to worry about a sibling backstabbing you or you having to disown a sibling. I don't believe in those Only Child Stereotypes about Only Children being spoiled, entiltled, selfish, socially awkward, more mature for their age since they usually interact more with adults then other kids, not being able to share or be empathetic, and being loners. How a person turns out to be has nothing to do with whether or not they have siblings but how they're treated and raised by their parents. Personally, if I had my way, I wouldn't be a sister and I would be a only child too. I even dream about being a only child. And if I ever chose to have or adopt a child, that child would be my only one. Is it normal I believe this?

PS: I don't hate my brothers I just sometimes wish to be an only child.

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56% Normal
Based on 52 votes (29 yes)
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Comments ( 16 )
  • dom180
    10 years ago | pl

    You don't make sense. Why would someone who grew up being the centre of their parents' universe (literally or otherwise) be more likely to become a mature and independent adult? The opposite seems more logical to me, although I don't believe that's true either.

    "How a person turns out to be has nothing to do with wether or not they have siblings". I'm glad we're in agreement, but doesn't that contradict your own premise?

    You say you don't believe in only child stereotypes (whatever they are; I've never heard any), but you have all these positive expectations of what it means to be an only child that are just silly. You honestly think being an only child makes you the centre of your parents' universe? Plenty of only children have been neglected.

    It seems to me like you just don't like your siblings.

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    • RomeoDeMontague
      10 years ago

      What the Op says makes sense. Parents with multiple children will sometimes favour one child over the other. Sometimes will neglect one child for the other. Often it will go to the youngest and the older one tends to fend for themselves and have to take care of everyone. If you are a only child they have to focus on you not between multiple kids.

      Having multiple children also creates poor dynamics in some cases. Since the children will fight for mommy and daddys affection. A parent can choose to hate one child and say "Why are you not like your sister/brother"? They could choose to abuse one and treat the others very well. These type of things happen in multiple child families not all though.

      Though in the case of twins this strangely seems to be less common it seems. As the twins often to bond with each other and are mainly focused on each other. Some believe a only child will become self centredand well that is a possibility. However I too believe having one child is a lot better for for a family apposed to several. Since parents so many times like to favour one child.

      A child will be favoured for a number of reasons. Either they are more like one or both of the parents. They are less work to take care of. The child is a higher achiever so the parents will show more respect, fondness, and love for that child.

      While treating the less successful child like trash. This issue arises from triple children as well. The baby gets spoiled to death, the oldest child is held responsible for taking care of everyone then we have the middle child. Now its not a guaranteed but it makes sense what they are trying to say.

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      • dom180
        10 years ago

        That only happens if you have incredibly shitty parents, though. It's the shit parenting that is the problem, not the fact that there is multiple children. It might be less common for only children to be neglected (in fact, it wouldn't surprise me if that was true), but I'd sooner put that down to the aforementioned terrible parenting than the fact that there are multiple kids because an only child with terrible parents has it just as bad as a child with siblings and terrible parents does.

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        • RomeoDeMontague
          10 years ago

          Yes it is how the parents act but many parents do not realize they are doing it. Also a lot of people who become parents do not plan anything including the child's college fund. So they kind of just make it up as they go along. Its not the kids fault no.

          However this is less likely to happen with a single child since the parents good or bad are forced to focus all resources and attention on one child. I also never said that single children are automatically better.

          Just when you have multiple people taking up limited resources its hard to control the outcome. Its also more difficult with families of lets say 7. Though the children have each other as company its unlikely that 2 or even 1 parent can handle that many heads. Its not absolute but its less likely to happen with only children.

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  • hairyfairy
    10 years ago

    I`m an only child, & Iv`e not benefitted from it at all. My parents treated me like a baby,& were over protective about me being independant. AS a result I was immature & naive for most of my adult life. They also expected me to excel at school, & were overcritical of my lack of success in school. If I`d had siblings I think I would have turned out a better & happier person.

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    I think there are pros and cons to both, but the grass is always greener on the otherside. I am an only child, but I always wanted an older brother. I was always jealous of the kids who knew the teacher because their older sibling had them little shit like that.

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    • shuggy-chan
      10 years ago

      Yeah bro is a bit lonely being only child at times, and parents can gang up on u, and more is expected of u when ur an only child

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  • [Old Memory]
    10 years ago

    Only children are at more risk of turning out selfish, maladjusted, socially inept, over-sensitive.

    Siblings influence a person to relate better to people by proxy alone. Sure they may annoy you, but that is also good for you. It teaches a person much about dealing with people. Statistically, only children do tend to be less socially skilled as a result of this lacking.

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  • GoraIntoDesiGals
    10 years ago

    I wish it too.

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  • ObsessedWithReedus
    10 years ago

    I have an older brother and sister, and once in a while i think about being an only child, but i think i like my life with them here.

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  • bemah
    10 years ago

    I'm the youngest, i can't imagine not having my older brothers. I would have liked a sister though. I still get enough attention from my parents to not have to worry about wanting to be the only one. Maybe I'm just lucky.

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  • IDiGAFi
    10 years ago

    I used to think that exact same thing when I was a child. I was a little more direct and simple, though, I'd put it like this: "you have only one husband because you consider that kind of love impossible to share, then what makes you think other kinds of love can be shared?" Life has taught me differently, though. I don't believe they are any better or worse, but only children are unlucky to have grown up that way.

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  • Abend_zersetzen_mich
    10 years ago

    I disagree. My brother and parents are the only people that have stuck by me consistently. Without my brother, I would probably be homeless right now.

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  • imadragon
    10 years ago

    There are probably plenty of arguments for boths sides. I am one of the youngest siblings and I have learnt a lot of important things from my older siblings.

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  • bananaface
    10 years ago

    I agree with most of what dom180 has said, except I do think siblings influence how you turn out.

    I also think having siblings can have a lot of plus sides. As much as my sisters annoy me at times, I'd hate being an only child and not having them in my life. It's not for everyone, but neither is being an only child. Not that you really have an option.

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  • gummy_jr
    10 years ago

    IIN to believe that you're the guy who made the post about not wanting to grow up?

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