Only child.

Do you think people should deliberately stop at just one child, or should they have at least one more to give their son or daughter a sibling? This doesn't apply to me, I have four brothers so I'm hardly an only child myself.

My mother's known a lot of people with only one child, and that child grows up spoiled, having everything (usually LONG before they need it all) and so grow up to be complete and total brats who have little to look forward to.

She's always said a person capable should have at least two and I have to agree because I have always had an older brother and from where I stand that would've been a miserable upbringing by myself.

I think that it depends on the parents. I am an only child, and I was not planned, though Mom wanted a child, Dad did not. So, they were married 16 years before the condom broke.

My son is my only child, but he has a sister. Though she is older, and never lived with us. So, in most ways, my son is an only child. So, I have always made sure that he had a lot of friends around and was never bored or feeling slighted to be the only kid around the house.

I think all families should have at least 2 kids, if possible. If they can't have another baby after the one for some reason, then ok. But if they're able to, then go ahead and have one more. I think sibs can help kids learn how to better associate with peers and to learn compromise. Plus it's not that fair to leave the burden of family all on the one child as they get older.

Plus it's not that fair to leave the burden of family all on the one child as they get older

That is true. Being an only child, I am the one who has to take care of things, by myself. But, along with that, I don't have any siblings that will fight over parent's belongings and such. It got really bad in my mom's family. They were all decent people who argued over silly things. It got so bad, they did a lottery type thing for people to finally agree on what they wanted.

In theory, I support the idea that everyone should have a sibling, but kids cost; it's not always practical for the parents to have another child -- even when they just have the one. When my daughter was a little girl, she used to ask for a baby sister, and her mother and I would tell her maybe some day. Well someday still hasn't come. It just wasn't wise for us to do it again at the time. Of course it could still happen, but if it did, she wouldn't grow up with phantom sibling, since she's already thirteen, almost.

I think it is nice to give a child a sibling. I think an only child might grow up lonely even though he or she may have a lot of friends there is nothing like the closeness of a sibling. I have 7 and sometimes its nice and sometimes it can be a pain in the butt but for the most part, your family is always there for you.

GrayWolf wrote:Do you think people should deliberately stop at just one child, or should they have at least one more to give their son or daughter a sibling? This doesn't apply to me, I have four brothers so I'm hardly an only child myself.

People should only have as many children as they want to be a parent to. Just because you have siblings doesn't guarantee happiness. I have a brother and love him like...well like a brother but we fought like cats and dogs when we were kids. It wasn't until he out grew being such a little shit :biggrin: that we became close. There may be something to only children being spoiled but that's no guarantee either. My daughter is an only child because she's all my wife and I felt we could afford. That's our business. She was kept short on pocket money and long on hugs.

Incidentally GreyWolf, the fact that you have four brothers doesn’t mean the question doesn’t apply to you. Do you have any children?

What about the question, “are people being selfish if they don’t have any children?”

alansmithee wrote:What about the question, “are people being selfish if they don’t have any children?”

No they're not. On another hand, I personally find it very selfish if people go all out for artificial insemination babies or surrogate mothers because they can't have any of their own when there are already millions of them already born and in need of a family.

Have as many as you can afford. I personally don't think I'd have just one kid, but who knows. Two is a pretty good number for me. Two boys, that's what I want.

IA that everyone should have a sibling.

I have a 13 year old 1/2 sister from my father....but she was born the summer I graduated high school (and because my father lives on the other side of town now....and because we're not close, I hardly know her....she feels more like a cousin), so I grew up an only child. Growing up an only child is depressing....yeah your parents spoil you (probably out of guilt) and your Christmases are off the chain, but it is quiet, lonely, etc. You wind up clinging to your cousins as surrogate siblings, which is phony....especially if they have their own brothers and sisters. In the mean time, your parents are more overprotective and people tend to talk about you like you're some disadvantaged kid ("you know Marc ain't got no brothers and sisters"). Then I'd get asked by nosey grandparents and busy-body old aunts if I wished I had siblings. Not wanting to sound like a punk, I would say no.

Being an adult and having kids of my own, I can respect that multiple kids aren't always practical for the parent....but yeah, have two.

People shouldn't have restrictions on how many kids they have. Speaking as an only child, I wish I had siblings so I cannot recommend stopping at one, or at any number. Nature will stop you before it gets out of hand.

I was an only child, and I didn't mind it at all. I enjoyed not having siblings to argue with or fight over things with! As for married couples, I think they should have as many children as they want, if they want any at all. If a couple wants 0 children or 10 children, it doesn't matter. People should do what they want, as long as they can stand them emotionally and afford them financially.