Only children are often stereotyped as selfish, spoiled, lonely, socially maladjusted, and overindulged. These assumptions lead to people believing that only children suffer from “only child syndrome,” but is it real? The experts weigh in.
Per Parents.com, “only child syndrome” is an idea that stems from the belief that children from single-child families tend to develop negative personality characteristics, such as being bossy, spoiled, or not social.
That could not be further from the truth. There is no such thing as “only child syndrome.” It is a myth and not fact.
According to experts, “research shows that only children tend to be self-confident, well-organized, and ambitious. They are also no more likely to be coddled than children with siblings.”
“In fact, contrary to popular opinion, studies show that singletons are not at significantly higher risk of developing adverse personality traits like narcissism or hypochondria. Plus, there are many other important factors beyond siblings—such as socioeconomic status and parenting style—that have a significant influence on a child.”
Only children may actually benefit from being singletons. The experts state that they may receive the extra added bonus of getting undivided attention from their parents, which, in turn, can help children to develop higher self-esteem, gain more maturity, and foster a strong sense of identity.
“Only children typically have strong personalities and know who they are because their needs aren’t overlooked, and they don’t compete for attention,” explains Erika Karres, author of Make Your Kids Smarter and an educational consultant who practices out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in an interview Parents.com.
Karres adds, “Onlies are often creative and focused because they need to learn to entertain themselves. They’ll build that cathedral out of blocks.”
Single-children households have been on the rise since the 1970s. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number has grown from about 10 million in 1972 to 14.4 million in 2020.
If you are considering having a singleton, here are a few tips for raising an only child:
- Use an authoritative parenting style
- Don’t be overprotective
- Encourage social interaction
- Keep expectations realistic
- Let them exercise their critical thinking skills and make decisions