Advantages and disadvantages of being an only child

The high cost of raising a child may force newly married couples to have one child alone. Willing to offer modern and proper education to their children, families are unable to afford expenses due to financial burdens. This is because the number of families with one child has gradually increased. Contrary to popular belief, being an "only child" does not have an adverse impact on development. If you fall into any confusion, lend an ear to what clinical psychologist Merve Büyükkucak says below:

Being only child can be an advantage

Until quite recently, there was a false belief that only children have various disadvantages. People generally describe only children as spoiled, bratty and selfish. To avoid such problems, families have a tendency to have more than one child. For the last 25 years, however, some scientific researchers persistently reject the negative impression against only children.

In addition, the differences between only children and children with siblings seem to be in favor of the first group. In other words, an only child does not fall behind children with siblings in terms of behavioral development. It is further suggested that the advantage of only children in achievement, motivation and mental development are due to higher parental attention. Only children do not differ from others with respect to social adaptation skills.

An only child does not necessarily experience social problems
Families are generally concerned about an only child's social relations with his or her environment. According to some research, there is no difference between only children and children with siblings at nursery school in terms of socialization and game activities. More importantly, such similarities can also be observed in adolescence. The lack of sibling rivalry may seem an advantage for an only child; however, it should be noted that an only child's abilities in solving disputes can develop in time. Therefore, families are recommended to gather children with their peers as much as possible.

High-quality time developing intellectual capacity

As mentioned, an only child bears similar characteristics in social skills compared to two children in small families. Indeed, the two groups appear to be more advantageous than big families. The quality of relations between parents and child are therefore of significance. Only children have the chance to receive greater attention and parental resources for their development. The high-quality time enhances intellectual capacity and leads the child to adopt more mature attitudes.

Tip: Only children do not differ from children with siblings in terms of the number of close friends they have or friendship quality.

Büyükkucak: "There is no room to worry about an only child's social development."

A lack of siblings can be compensated by spending increased and healthier time with your child. Although today's families are getting smaller, what is important is to establish high-quality interaction.