Sample Essay

Only Lonely (2/3)

In addition not having to share parents’ attention, only child does not have to share almost anything, for example, toys. This can make the only child more selfish and spoiled. For example, there has been a great deal of discussion in the media about only children and their inability to share things with others. This does not include just toys but also attention and their urge to always be the first one to do things asked and not having to wait their turn, for example, in playgroups. However , the parents of only children have become more and more conscious about this matter. Thus they are very concerned that their child will not be selfish and spoiled even though they do not have siblings to share things with. Some psychologists even suggest that nowadays only children tend to be friendlier, more communicative and getting along better with adults than those having siblings. However there are still many of individuals who do actually behave according to the stereotype of selfish and spoiled as they do not know how to share things.

Although studies have shown that only children are indistinguishable from those with siblings all over the world (Newsweek, 2001) the greatest disadvantage of being an only child is that one does not have any siblings. Studies have shown that children learn faster, for example, to walk or speak if they have someone to observe or someone to learn more things from. This applies in both directions: younger learn from older siblings and older from younger siblings. Thus children with siblings learn new things faster. Therefore they are more likely to succeed in school, for example. In addition to this siblings also provide the sense of security and also belongingness to a group. They can support one against bullies in school as well as help with homework. This can be crucial to the child as nowadays parents work take more and more time and so they may not have enough time to spend with their child. As a result they may not know if the child is being bullied or they may not have time to help the child with homework. Siblings are usually easier to approach if one has a problem, therefore, siblings know more what is happening, particularly, in school, for example.