Adventages and disadvantages of being an only child - Wady i zalety bycia jedynakiem

According to recent demographic researches, less and less children are being born in developed countries every year. Only fifty years ago a typical family consisted of parents and at least two children. Since then everything has changed. While you can visit your uncles or aunts, it is very likely that your children will not have such an opportunity. Many of those who are teenagers now do not have any brothers or sisters. This is not how the situation looks like all around the world but in our region being the only child is much more common than it used to be ever before. I will try to present the most significant advantages and disadvantages of not having siblings.

As far as advantages are concerned, financial issues are of great importance. It is not easy to raise a child since it demands plenty of money. We can all agree that this is a big expense. Needless to say, two children cost much more, usually not twice as much, though. Parents often spoil their only child, providing them with everything they want. Therefore, such children can often afford to possess much more than their friends who have to share with their brothers and sisters. As a result, at the very beginning they have better toys and, as years go by, they are able to stick to the latest fashion trends more often.

Furthermore, children are usually being spoilt by their grandparents too. Even though most of them are retired and have to save money, they prefer to under eat rather than let their grandchildren go home without any present. It is understandable that one child will always be given more.

These are not the only advantages, though. Some of them have nothing to do with money. For instance, it is easier to look after one child than take care of two or even more. As a result, the only child is safer, since is protected better by their parents. Moreover, they can totally focus on one baby and show more interest in them. While looking after more children, none of them will be able to catch your attention as effectively as the only child.

I have already mentioned some significant advantages. Disadvantages do not seem to be less important. In comparison to the rest of people, those who are the only children may suffer from loneliness. In childhood, while others can play with their siblings, they happen to play all alone. Parents are not always available and even if they are, sometimes they are not able to replace another child. Children need to keep in contact with each other. Being the only child doesn’t make it easy.

Although everybody, including the only child, can make friends, a bond between brothers and sisters is so special that nothing can imitate it. The only children, since they do not have siblings, can never have such an experience.

In conclusion, being the only child has some significant advantages, thanks to which such children may feel safe and loved. They can easily catch their parents’ attention and make use of the fact that there is nobody to share with. However, some of them complain about their situation. They are forced to spend a lot of time alone, while those who have sisters or bothers can socialize much more frequently. Even though the only child seems to have everything – nice toys and expensive clothes – many of them declare that they would like to have a brother or a sister.