Pros And Cons Of Being An Only Child
Start writing a post
Relationships

When It Comes To Being An Only Child, The Pros Outweigh The Cons

To be the only child in your household could mean endless attention, but sometimes that's not always a great thing.

Diamond Bridges
Aug 14, 2018
The State University of New York at Stony Brook
543
Family
Instagram

In any conversation when meeting someone for the first time, there are some questions that are always asked. What is your favorite color? What are your hobbies? But there is one question that sticks out to me: do you have any siblings?

To be honest, I've never thought about what life was like growing up with siblings. Not until people started asking me those questions. I am an only child, but I grew up with cousins, so I've never felt too lonely. However, there are some pros and cons of growing up as an only child.

1. Pro #1: Sharing

You don't have to worry about sharing your personal things with sibling(s). What's yours is yours.

2. Con #1: Loneliness

Some people experience loneliness as an only child because they don't have an extra person to understand or play with them. Sometimes this may affect a child's development in interactions with other people.

3. Pro #2: Independence

Because you never had to rely on anyone growing up, there are lower expectations for relying on other people. You develop a mindset that you're okay with being alone and becoming very independent. However, that can affect your relationship with others later on in life.

4. Con #2: Helicopter parent(s)

This can be a very unhealthy relationship to develop with your parent(s). It can prevent you from becoming independent later on in life and you can grow too dependent on your parent(s). This can also grow into rebellious stages or resentment towards them. For parents, they have a difficult time pushing their child out of the nest.

5. Pro #3: No favorites

You will never have to fight for affection. There's no one else to compete with or compare yourself to.

6. Bonus pro/con: attention

This can be a pro and a con because as an only child, you have all the attention on you. However, this can also lead to helicopter parenting which is unhealthy and sometimes can leave you very spoiled.

7. Pro #4: Everything is new

Hand-me-downs don't even exist. Clothes, toys, and other things are brand new for you.

8. Con #3: Jealousy

I know I definitely felt sad that I couldn't relate to the relationship my friends had with their sibling(s). I wished I was able to look up or have somebody to look up to me.

9. Pro #5: The price of one

This is mostly a pro for parents, but they won't have to worry about paying or buying multiples of things.

10. Con #4: No partner in crime

Yes, your partner in crime can be your friends, but your sibling grows up with you and they go through similar situations with you, which creates a special kind of bond. Friends can't compare to a sibling's bond.

family
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
39075
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
98386
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
23581
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma
949810
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
family and friends
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

Beloit College
127964
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway
Photo by Abderrahmane Meftah on Unsplash

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
school life

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments