If you're an only child like myself, people probably find it very..interesting..that you have no siblings. They automatically try to see if you show any symptoms of OCS (Only Child Syndrome). They make a comment like "Really? I don't see it" or "I knew it all along." Even though some of my family vacations modeled Stephen King's The Shining (just kidding), not all of the stereotypes that are associated with only children are actually true. Allow me to explain:
Stereotype #1: We're spoiled.
Mom and Dad didn't have any other children to buy things for, so obviously only children get a tad bit of special treatment. My parents were able to afford things for me that I know for sure I would have never gotten if I had even one other sibling.
Stereotype #2: We're mature.
Only children are constantly surrounded by adults. Therefore, we tend to have no problem talking to adults. As a matter of fact, we sometimes enjoy their company more than people our own age!
Stereotype #3: Only children are anti-social.
Only children surely have the potential to be extremely popular and sociable, just as anybody with siblings can be. How you interact with your peers is psychological, and does not depend on how many siblings, if any, you have.
Stereotype #4: We're selfish.
This could not be farther from the truth. Growing up around my generous parents, I learned that what goes around comes around. I was always told to share whatever I had and to help anyone in need. I never had a problem with being kind.
Stereotype #5: We're close with our parents.
Who else will we gossip to about so and so and their breakup with you know who? Of course, mothers are better at this activity, but I've been learning over the years that dads aren't half bad.
Stereotype #6: We're high achievers.
We have no one else to live up to our parents' expectations!
Stereotype #7: We wish we had a sibling. (Or multiple!)
I'm sure some only children wish they did. However, I never missed something I never had, so there never was an empty void that needed to be filled.
