Advantages and Disadvantages of Only Children Essay

IntroductionResearch from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2006 suggests the fas examination growing nuclear family unit has catch the whizz- pincer household (Emma Sykes, 2011). accord to figures released by the Office for NationalStatistics, the UK has just about 7.7million families with dependent kidren, of which 3.7 million get down just mavin nestling, comp ard to collar million with two and 1.1 million with three minorren or to a greater extent (Simon Edge, 2013). add upition each(prenominal)y, in the United States, the percentage of women who cede adept nestling has to a greater extent than doubled in the unity-time(prenominal) 20 old age up from 10% to 13% (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2011). The show up of single- kidskin households is a contemporary issue relevant to both chelargonn and p atomic number 18nts in to day dates forward-looking night club as the number of single- youngster households ar rapidly growing throughout the twenty-first centur y.ScopeThere argon increasing rates in single- tyke households. Single child households be rapidly growing in popularity make them a contemporary issue of the 21st century. There be galore(postnominal) itemors which bias p arnts to raise a single child. Additionally, there are many a(prenominal) factors which effect the child due to them being raised without the influence of siblings. These aspects are going to be searchd and focused on for the purposes of this investigation. The aim is to determine atomic number 18 there more than advantages or losss when having an simply child? The following engage the discussion wherefore do parents choose to attain an hardly child?What are the advantages of having an merely child?What are the disadvantages of having an just now child? methodologyBoth primary and subsidiary sources were used to gain knowledge for the purposes of this investigation. Examples of sanctionary sources include the internet, books and other printe d medias. The internet evictd an assortment of sources. For example, reli up to(p) websites with statistics and informative information which related to the proceeds. Additionally, videos were sourced online. They were used to provide factual information and statistics relating to the topic. Due to the fact internet sites, books and printed media are secondary sources, it was noniced that they incorporated biased views as they were second hand opinions. In order to gain informationwhich would back up with writing a reliable investigation and conclusion, interviews and surveys were conducted. Interviewees included E Barbaro flummox of four and grand suffer to an scarcely child. V Haynes A former amiableergarten instructor and mother of an tho child. J Stefano An exactly child.The exclusives interviewed all had the ability to provide strong opinions relating to the topic of single children as they were either an besides child themselves, have raised an only child and/ or gave opinions towards their thoughts on having siblings. Why do parents choose to have an only child?Each individual to their own has their own beliefs relating to whether or not is beneficial to raise an only child, and that includes parents. Each parent to their own also has their own beliefs towards why they coveting to raise a small family. The number of families forthwith with just unmatched dependent child is now 47 per cent and expected to uprise to more than 50 in a decade. As the ONS confirms It appears that families are acquire smaller (Simon Edge, 2013). Firstly, it is believed that around parents make the decision to have an only child because it makes them happier. Professor Hans-Peter Kohler of the University of Pennsylvania is sensation of the many to obtain with this statement. He states that the only thing that a majority of parents take into consideration is their wellbeing. consort to Kohler, a parents happiness peaks at star child, and having more mak es you poorer, more degenerate and little content (2013). Further evidence regarding parents raising a unusual child comes from Havard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. Gilbert admits Kohlers views regarding the parents of singular children, and agrees that they choose to have nonpareil child as part of their personal wellbeing. Gilbert claims that mothers are at their happiest during those moments when they are not looking subsequently their kids. They prefer shopping, watching TV, ladderout and eating (2013). Gilberts studies have concluded that mothers consider interacting with their child is on a par with mopping the floor (Paul Meril, 2013).Another to agree with these statements is author Lauren Sandler who explores the topic of parents raising only children in her book The matchless and that The Freedom of Having an Only Child and the Joy of Being one(a) (2013). Sandler writes they dont standardised being parents (because they are selfish), or they thrill more about st atus work, money, materialism than their kid(because they are selfish), or the parents awaited too long (because they are selfish). Unlike psycologists, Sandler has her own perception of the issue as she is an only child herself, and the mother of an only child. She explains that she wanted to have an only child for the same motives as her mother did and that is to have a prosperous kid, my mother figured she needed to be a talented mother, and to be a happy mother, she needed to be a happy person.To do that, she had to preserve her authentic self, which she could not imagine doing with a second child. In order to test whether or not parents steady down on raising a single child to benefit themselves, a survey was conducted by a group of mothers at a day care center who have chosen to raise an only child. akin(predicate) to what psychologists have suggested, 44% of the participants have agreed that they choose to have an only child as it beneficial to their personal wellbein g.Despite the overwhelming get along of parents that claim that having an only child is beneficial to them, there were some who had contradicting views by adding When we got married we al behaviors wanted to have a big family. This survival was taken out of our hands and we had to depend on IVF to conceive and drive our only 4 year old child (2013). Social psychologist, Susan Newman states women are acquire married later, which raises infertility issues. Many women continue their careers even after they have a child, which makes having more than one child more difficult. Add with the fiscal stress of raising a child, its no revere some couples stop at one (Kristy MacKaben, 2013). It costs a real amount of money to raise a child clothing, medical care, discipline and some parents may decide that they cant afford to have lots of children (Emma Sykes, 2011). Parents feel that they can give that one child more in comparison to giving more children less. It improves their quality of life says Newman.What are the advantages of having an only child?After conducting a survey and asking a group of muckle who had siblings whether or not they would prefer being an only child, 83% of the participants replied with yes.When partipants were asked as to why they would prefer this, they claimedthat only children have more advantages. Some being mothers themselves claimed that that the biggest advantage of having one child is the money. With each child, these expenses are more. By not having to degenerate more money on excess children, your only child can have more costly items (Holly Doorman, 2010). The financial implications of being an only child are numerous. Parents only have one childs education to pay for, to clothe, to feed, to enroll in lessons or to invest in their financial security. Multiple children require parents to work harder to compass larger salaries to support their children (Joys of Parenting, 2013). Social psychologist, Susan Newman states if you have a middle income, youre going to spend roughly $286,000 to get them from birth to 18. Thats kind of staggering.Another major advantage of being an only child is the educational advantages. Only children are both the first born and the finish born child. These children must assume both roles. These children tend to be more academically oriented, ambitious, conscientious, conforming, conservative and respectful of their parents (Holly Doorman, 2013). It turns out there is a profound difference when it comes to intelligence in only children and children from larger families. A enclosure 20-year study showed that increased one-on-one parenting produces higher education levels, higher test scores and higher levels of achievement (Kristy Kackaben, 2013). Parents will have the money to spend on tutoring, tools, and the best schools. Parents also have the time to help with cookery because you are not running after other children. With one child to give your attention to, it is muc h easier to find out if they are having problems in school (Holly Doorman, 2013).Newman agrees by stating they have all their parents financial resources to get them extra lessons, to get them SAT training only when more critical is the one-on-one time at the dinner table. This results in more reading time, more homework time and eventually better test scores. One mother stated that I think we felt as a family that we were able to give our son more attention and spend more time together and really focus on him (2013). By having only one child, the childs and parents privacy becomes easier. One of the chief(prenominal) advantages of being the only child that your parents pay attention only to you. You are the most important person in their lives. Parents do everything for you (J Stefano, 2013). For example, if the child wishes for a new toy or some clothes, parents will simply purchaseit to fufill the childs wants. For mother of only child, V Haynes, she states that I broadly sp eaking purchase toys for my child in order to fufill their wants as they are lone(a) and do not have a sibling to bond with (2013). muchover, only children have everything to themselves. They will not have to share a room, the estimator and any other things.What are the disadvantages of having an only child?In a 2013 study, data from from before and after the institution of Chinas one-child form _or_ system of government has shown a causal link between being an only child and acquiring certain negative character traits. The study found that onlies are significantly less trusting, less trustworthy, more risk-averse, less competitive, more pessimistic, and less conscientious individuals (Sandler, 2013). The hardest part of being an only child is the stereotyping others create. Stereotypes make community assume that you are somebody that you are not (J Stefano, 2013). The biggest disadvantage for only children is that they are generally percieved as screw up and/or selfish. Altho ugh contest by scholars past and present (Polit & Falbo, 1987 1988, Newman, 2011), the popular belief is that only children are self-centered, spoiled, in constant need of the spotlight, and socially inept (Stephen J Betchen, 2011).The most common statement made by survey participants when asked for their thoughts on only children was that they are used to thinking that they are the most important people so they must have everything only for themselves (2013). These stereotypes have all been derived from the work of a 19th century psychologist who famously concluded that, being an only child is a disease in itself (Lauren Smelcher Sams, 2013). The old stereotype of regretful and selfish does no one justice (Carmel Egan, 2009). Due to stereotyping, when somebody becomes knowledgable that someone they meet is an only child, it is most promising that they will behave other than towards them. They are often perceived as loners and their actions may be misinterpreted.This makes it mor e difficult for only children to establish friendships. Single children do not turn back social skills with other children in the household.Therefore, all of their social interactions must be gained in the world with other children (Joys of Parenting, 2013). When an only child is compared to a child that belongs to a large family, it is said that children from larger families are better turned later in life since theirparents take care of their needs but not their wants. Children from larger families learn the difference between wants and needs. They learn to wait for what they want, or to work and earn it themselves. Thus they are spared the corruptive influence of instant gratification. They internalize the virtues of patience and honorable ambition. They grow to become self-governing self-starters (Lots of Kids, 2010). According to Professor Ralph, whilst children from larger families learn these things, only children rely and become more dependent on the parent (Emma Sykes, 201 1) A major topic regarding only children is bareness.Many parents of only children deny their child freedom to explore the world in case something bad were to happen to them (E Barbaro, 2013). There are other children can go out when they please. For example , shopping with friends or going to a party. But being the only child instrument that parents put pressure on you. You have to still prove that you are the best. Instead you must focus on studies and have to maintain getting an a A for every test otherwise your parents will be disappointed with you (J Stefano, 2013). Lastly, having an only child can be of a disadvantage to the family in later years. Bryan Caplan, author of Selfish Reasons To Have More Kids argues that its better to have more kids. He says have the number of children that maximises mediocre utility over your whole lifespan. When youre 30, you might feel like two children is plenty, but once youre 60, you are more likely to prefer 10 sons and daughters to keep you company and keep the grandkids coming (2011). consequenceThe rate of single child families is rapidly increasing in todays current society. As the world is constantly evolving, so is the way parents choose have a family. The 21st century is dissimilar from the past as mothers are not required to ultimately spend all of their time being a housewife looking after children and end household chores. Women now have careers and are more concerned about status work and materilism. With this factor in mind, it is no surprise that single child households are becoming a contemporary issue of the 21st century. Only children are becoming more accepted by society as it is becoming more common. It is now less likely for only children to be placed into stereotypical categories, and being percieved as selfish and spoiled.Despite this, only children are stillidentified for having these traits. A reason for this is that majority of parents raising single children do spend their money on them, as they have no other priorities. Other disadvantages are loneliness and the lack of freedom, leading to possible issues when interacting with other children. Altough there are quite an a few negatives, they still do not outweigh the absolute aspects of being an only child. Only children do get great advantages. For example, parents can spend all of their time on the child. That child is the number one priority. They can have a close relationship with parents and they do not have to share with others.Despite this, it can lead to negative aspects where the child learns the selfish traits and falls under stereotyping. The question ar there more advantages or disadvantages when having an only child? cannot be fully supported. Who is to say whether or not there is a great advantage when having an only child, or whether it is a disadvantage. There is not enough information to fully support whether it is a good or bad thing. Every individual is different and the overall, the decision t o raise an only child is ultimately up to the parents and whether their life style fits one of a large or a small family. little or more children for whatever personal reasons should just be accepted, as long as the children involved are happy. There is not one right or wrong answer.BibliographyPrimarySurveys with mothers and employees of a daycare center, 2013, Are there more advantages or disadvantages when having an only child?, August 22 E Barbaro, Interview, 2013V Haynes, Interview, 2013J Stefano, Interview, 2013SecondaryBellybelly.com.au. 1986. One Child Families Advantages and Disadvantages of Having an Only Child. online Available at http//www.bellybelly.com.au/child/one-child-families-advantages-disadvantages-of-having-one-child Accessed 27th Aug 2013. Caplan, B. 2011. Selfish Reasons To Have More Kids. The Perseus Books Group, p. Paperback, 288 pages. Emma Sykes. Abc.net.au. 2011. Triple P Podcast Single Children ABC