Do you think it is unfair to raise a child without any siblings?

Answer 1

Unfair, no. I am an only child and it was awesome! I got spoiled, although I missed out on all the fighting brothers and sisters do but lets see....spoiled or fighting.....I'll take spoiled!

No seriously, there were times I wish I had a big brother or sister, but who's to say I wouldn't have been the big sister!

Answer 2

I don't think it's fair or unfair. I think it's a matter of what is right for the family. Personally I only have one child, but that is because I could not have any more - not because I chose to not have any more. There are times when I think my son would like to have siblings, but I have truly enjoyed every second I have spent with him in the past 17.5 years since he was born. My friends all have more than one child and it's funny - they always see me with my son and say they sometimes wish they only had one (jokingly, of course, since they love all of their children equally). But I think that if a child is an only child, they tend to "grow up" a bit quicker as they are only around adults for part of the day as opposed to being around other kids at school and then again at home. In my case, he is around others his own age during the day, but then must carry on conversations with me in the evening - therefore he has had interactions with adults on a different level.

And to disagree with a previous answer: I would not think solely about what would happen if the parents died and the child would have to suffer alone. That is NOT a good reason to have more children. There are always other people to lean on, if the case arose.

And if you can't have other children or are not sure if you want more, you can always be a foster parent. There is a huge need for those and it's a great thing to do for the foster children. I was a foster mother of 3 for one year and it was absolutely wonderful for both myself and my son.

So to answer the question: No, I don't think it's unfair to not have siblings. I wouldn't change my situation for anything!

Answer 3

It's not something that is fair or unfair. It's what it is. Some people have siblings, some don't. An only child may wish for a live in playmate sometimes- a sibling may wish to be alone sometimes. You live the life you have, fair isn't part of the equation. You raise your child(ren) with your best effort, and that is the best that a child can hope for.

Answer 4

This hits close to home, because that is the situation that I have. My daughter is an only child. Both my wife and i grew up in a family with multiple siblings. We ask ourselves are we cheating our child by not having anymore children.?

Ironically i believe that answer is NO. You have to realize that your child does not "know" what it is like to have a sibling there 24/7. There are no other children fighting for the parents attention. No fighting with a brother or sister over a favorite toy.

I have observed my daughter enjoying playing wither others her age, but after a while, I can tell she enjoys her privacy... that is something I NEVER really got growing up. (until much later).

Bottom line, if you want more children then take the necessary steps, don't do it so you child can have a playmate.. you may find in the end that your Child blossoms under your undivided attention. :)

Later.

Answer 5

Absolutely not. I am an only child, and though when I was younger I sometimes wished I had a sibling, I now really value being an only child. I got to spend a lot of quality time with my parents and extended family being an only child, more so than I imagine I would have if I had siblings. I do think it's important though to be sure that an only child is involved in activities at school or play groups with friends so they have that peer interaction.

Answer 6

Possibly. I was an only child and it was pretty great most of the time - best schools, spoiled, tons of attention, etc. I won't lie, I did have times I wished I had a sibling and now that I'm an adult I really wish I had a sibling.
I don't know if it matters so much growing up - because kids have friends. But, I do know that it matters as an adult and I certainly wish I had brothers or sisters. Giving your child siblings gives them a lifelong support system - siblings are so much to eachother - support, friends, etc.

Answer 7

I dont think it's unfair at all. I have 2 siblings, and let me tell you there were times when I really wished I was an only child. Many of my friends are the only child and they seem perfectly content. Sure, siblings provide entertainment and friendship, but that's what friends are for. Plus, there's always the possibility that your kids will hate each other. It's rare, but one of my best friends absolutely hates her older sister, and situations like that arent good for anybody. There are pros and cons for whatever you decide to do, but it isn't unfair either way. Just do what you think is best for your family.

Answer 8

Unfair?

Unfair is an upper middle-class bread-winning dad busting his chop for 18 years of mortgage and cars and so forth trying to provide the best introduction to the outside world that he can give for his kid so that the kid won't be saddled with student loans until they're 50.

And then expecting him to do it again in 2-4 years because you had to have a second kid to ensure that you were being "fair" to the first.

(Or, to clarify the point, there's infinitely more to life than your single child. Figure out what it is before you try to go further obscuring it behind another child.)

Answer 9

I myself am an only child, and I have talked to friends that have siblings. I don't consider it unfair, since each side has its advantages and disadvantages(or pros and cons).I've lived fine without siblings, since friends can always fill in the void. It's totally okay for you to think it's unfair, but it's really not going to affect the child.

Answer 10

No. I do not think it's unfair, but I do think that it would make the child less likely to be more social than a child who has at least one sibling because in a sense this is where their social skills begin.