In earlier years it was quite common for parents to have many children. Thus, families could be made up of two parents and up to eight child...
In earlier years it was quite common for parents to have many children. Thus, families could be made up of two parents and up to eight children, or more.
Of course, there were also families where there were barely two or three children, but it was common to have many children. Things have changed a lot since then. The reasons are several, among them, the quality of life, cultural and health conditions; however, this also differs from family to family.
Today, it is common for families to meet one of two parameters: no children or only one. Again, this also depends on each person, but those two are the most common.
The reasons why a couple decides to have only one child may be due to the economic conditions of the family, or that parents are more aware that today's world presents challenges that did not exist before. Despite that, the decision is up to the parents.
Regarding only children, there are a good number of beliefs, many of them false. This is what makes many parents doubt the convenience of having only one child. Moreover, the American Psychological Association, Granville Stanley Hall, went so far as to say that “being an only child is a disease in itself”. This is terrible, but at the same time, it is an interesting statement that is worth refuting.
Below we will expose some false beliefs regarding only children.
1 They have difficulty relating
It has always been believed that children who have siblings relate better than only children; This is false. Both children who have siblings, as well as the only ones, develop social skills; the difference is that they achieve it in different ways and at different paces.
Those who have siblings achieve it thanks to the way they relate to them. Only children do it with other children, cousins, neighbors, or classmates in the garden. The interesting thing about this is that only children build stronger bonds of friendship; the reason that it is fair is that they are unique they value the company a lot.
2 Require More Affection
It is false that the only child requires more attention and care from parents, uncles, and grandparents. It is actually the opposite.
The situation is that the only child has had exclusive care at home; so she doesn't need to fill any emotional void. However, what determines whether or not a child requires more affection is the upbringing, not whether she has siblings.
3 They Have A More Limited Childhood
In this regard, upbringing is decisive in whether or not the child has a limited childhood. If the child is overprotective because he is an only child, then this will happen.
Things are very different if parents encourage him to interact with other children. Also, if you're motivated to investigate, play, and satisfy her curiosity, you don't have to have limited childhood experience.
4 They Are More Selfish
This is what is most often said of the only child and the reality is that it depends on the upbringing. This is believed because it is said that they do not grow accustomed to sharing with other children; no, it's not like that.
A child learns to share both with other children as well as with other family members. What does happen is that being only children, they learn to live their experiences and adventures alone; this makes them more independent.
5 They are less able to manage their emotions
Whether or not a child has siblings, childhood problems will have to be solved by himself. It is a natural process of life and is not subject to who you grow up with or not.
Moreover, being an only child helps him have a better relationship with himself and is more autonomous. Also, being surrounded by adults, only children learn faster to manage their emotions.
6 They do not value what they have
This is another aspect that also depends on the upbringing that the child receives.
That a minor value of what he has or not implies an adequate education on the part of his parents. If a child is given everything she asks for, whether or not she has siblings, she will not value what she receives. He will be capricious, selfish, and envious, not because he doesn't have siblings, but because of a bad upbringing.
7 They Are Tyrants
For a child not to be a tyrant, parents must know how to set limits. If they don't, the child will grow up believing that he is the king and that he can do and undo; this has nothing to do with having or not having siblings.
8 They do not know how to work in a group
Growing up surrounded by adults, be it parents or grandparents; caregivers must learn to communicate and “work” with the child. The age difference makes them adapt to the situation and learn to share.
The fact that this happens favors the development of empathy and the child's ability to interact; plus, she will soon learn that people are different. This means that coexistence teaches them to work in a group.
9 They Are More Competitive
Unlike children with siblings, the only child does not have to “compete” for his parents' attention. What's more, only children tend to be more independent and autonomous in many more aspects.
Competition is instilled in parenting by constantly encouraging the child to be the best and most outstanding. Again, it depends on the upbringing you receive.
With the foregoing, parents who decide to have only one child must learn to raise in a balanced way; that is, raising the child by making him aware that she is just another person in the world. That as such he will be treated as he treats and he should strive to be happy; just like everyone else.
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