Do you think there is a connection between only-children and stinginess?

Question

Is there such a possibility that only children grow up being stingy people and not being able to share anything materially with a partner or friend?

Answer 1

Of course the simple answer is "maybe", but that is obviously not what you want. So, the thing you really need to consider is the way the child is brought up, because our behaviour as adults largely depends on the input we received from our parents and others around us in our society when we were young.

This is a very complex issue and individual, anecdotal evidence does little to clarify things. For example, my father was an only child but he was a very giving man, but because my own viewpoint is obviously skewed by my close relationship to him, my concept of 'giving' versus 'stingy' may be quite different to someone viewing my family (or these concepts) from another perspective.

As another one of the anwers pointed out, a person from a large family can grow up to be very stingy, perhaps because s/he had to share everything and never really had anything of her/his own.

Again, it comes back to upbringing. If we are taught to share and encouraged not to be jealous of others and we learn that giving is a blessing, we will most likely not grow up to be stingy -- regardless of how many siblings we have.

Lenky :)

Answer 2

There are probably only-children who grow up stingy, but I don't believe it is connected to being an only child.

When children have plenty of everything and aren't scrapping for every last little shred of whatever it is kids from large families may have to, they tend to grow up more generous. Children who get plenty of attention from parents don't grow up craving attention. When they get plenty of stuff they don't grow up feeling as if they had better hang onto every last bit of anything (the way more deprived children may).

It is possible that the person who was an only child is accustomed to having his stuff all neat and clean and not messed with; so, in that way, maybe an only child wouldn't want to share his stuff because the other person may not take good care of it. This wouldn't be "stingy", though, it would more be a matter of wanting one's stuff well cared for.

Other than that, though, I have reason to think that only children would probably be more generous - not less.

Answer 3

I don't agree. I'm an only child, and I'm quite willing to share personal possessions and money - much to my loss when things don't get returned, are ruined or money never paid back!! If anything I need to be MORE stingy.

It is just how you are brought up, not how many brothers or sisters you have. My friend has 2 siblings and is the eldest, yet charges you a pound petrol for five minute journeys in her car. Now, if that's not tight fisted I don't know what is....

Answer 4

No
My Daughter is so stingy it's embarrassing. She wants payment for anything she does and does not understand the word favour. My Son is totally the opposite and really looks for reward. he once gave a car away, while my daughter changed the oil in her car and added this to the price when she sold it.

You do have a point that only-children are not exposed to having to share but that is down to parenting and failure to teach sharing and giving could result in a spoilt brat of an adult.

Answer 5

Well i don't think that the kid is stingy but he likes to have everything (Possessive kid) cause he always looks to what the other children have I think being a stingy appears later at 7 and 8 years old

Answer 6

It can work like that, depends on how much they have been taught to share and how much they have socialised with other children. But it can also work the other way i.e. if a child belongs to a big family, and they have to fight to get a fair share then I believe this also can bring on stinginess in later life.

Answer 7

I think it depends more on parents for stinginess and the values that they place on money.


I think only children are more stubborn and want their own way more. Not as good at arguements from start to finish - in other words, addressing the issue and then leaving it be.

Answer 8

There is probably a mild connection. Children without siblings tend to find sharing harder and can often have the influence of doting parents (of course, not always)...

I think being tightfisted comes largely from parental and social influencing.... some of the tightest people I know have lots of siblings and similarly, one of the most generous people I know is an only child!

Answer 9

Im an only child, and its always commented on how generous I am. It really depends on the individual. I really like sharing things and doing things for others, as it makes me feel good! It takes me a while to trust someone enough but when I do I would give them the world if I could. I do everything for my boyfriend, not because he asks or expects it but because I love him so much and like to do things for him!

Answer 10

Yes definitely....have always thought so. They don't learn to share as kids. My friend is an only child and she is the stingiest money grabber you could meet. Never buys a round, never coff's up for taxi fare, the list is endless.
And what makes it worse is that she's a stunner and always finds wealthy men to date who also pay for her all the time, although the one she truly loved dumped her for taking his savings and going on a shopping spree......so maybe there is some justice in the world?