Being an only child is actually weird and stressful. Growing up, I knew I was different, and was violently aware of the prejudice against me. Well, as an only child expert(hi I am one), here are some common misconceptions about only kids that I hear on the daily.
1. We're Selfish
I'm constantly asked how hard it was to share a room with someone, being an only child and all. It always drives me up a wall. I don't know about the rest of you, but I always found that the most selfish people came from families with siblings. I learned to share as a survival trait so people would like me, and that never changed. My one "no" does not negate my ninety-nine previous "yes"es.
2. We're Loud
I honestly have no idea where this stereotype came from. Why would only children literally ever need to be loud? It's not like we have to compete for attention at home. We can get anything we want just as easily by being quiet as we can loud, and being loud is honestly harder.
3. We're Needy
Just because I need attention constantly 24/7 does not mean I'm needy. But seriously. Everyone has a biological need for attention. I'm exercising my right to mine just as much as everyone else. In fact, probably less so because again, I'm not competing for attention.
4. We're Weird
First of all, I can't even fathom how this could be some kind of insult but I'll roll with it. Let's start off with this: just because people are different than you does not make them strange. Remember Pocahontas? Just because I have a different behavior or reaction to something doesn't make me strange. It makes me human. (Also, yeah I talk to myself. Get over it.)
5. We're Self-Centered
Read: introspection does not equal self centered. Sure, a lot of only children are often caught up in their own world. They're constantly analyzing everything that's happening in the world around them, which often includes themselves. Because they often exhaust their inner voice, they talk to others about their thoughts. That doesn't mean they're self-centered; it means they're conscious of their own bias to search for other opinions.
6. We're Over-Emotional/Emotionless
There's simply no winning for only children is there? Show too much emotion, and you're a freak. Don't show enough emotion and you're crazy. Believe me when I say I'm entirely serious. Fun fact! Only children are people too, and experience emotion naturally. Whether that fits in your confines of worldview is of no consequence to me.
7. We're Spoiled
Spoiled? In this economy? Listen, I'm not saying my parents didn't take good care of me -- I was often given what I wanted -- but that doesn't mean I was ever spoiled. My parents took great care in instilling a good work ethic within me. I work for what I get, even if you can't see it(at least, as far as my privilege takes me, anyway).
So, there you have it. 7 myths busted about only children. Sounds like when you take away the birth order factor, a lot of these traits are just byproducts of bad parenting. But hey. That's not any of my business, yeah?
