Your Opinion: Only-childs are less sociable/ socially inferior than those with siblings?

Question

In your own humble opinion...think about it...how can you guys make a support for this claim? that those who didnt have brothers and sisters are...if we can portray them, as socially inferior than those with siblings? Can anyone give me their opinions or research? If research, can you also give the reference?

Answer 1

No science to back up my opinion, just my own observations.

Amd to be honest, I haven't really thought about it until I read your question, so it's not that big of a deal.

But, through simple observations in my own extended family, whether it be cousins, or nieces/nephews, I have noticed that the ones that are only-children tend to not handle conflict as well. When things don't go their way, they tend to make it into a personal attack on them. It's like they think the whole world revolves around them, and if you do something that they don't like, your sole reason for doing it is to make them mad.

Answer 2

First and foremost, what a thought provoking question!

My opinion is, as both a teenager and an only child, is that the opposite may in fact be true. Only children can have a tendency to be bossy and domineering, having not gone through the experiences of co-operating/sharing etc with siblings. While these qualities are not the most attractive attributes it certainly gives them the capabilities to become powerful leaders.

I for one am neither socially inferior nor any less sociable than the next person - I am almost always outgoing, and constantly respected - think of the saying "you're only a victim if you let yourself be". Throughout middle school and late primary school I refused to let myself be seen as the pitiful victim when faced on occasion with bullies. This is why today, as a high school sophomore, I have a strong sense of self, and will not be pushed around.

What I have heard however, is that the "middle" child of a household can have tendencies to be more socially withdrawn, due to the youngest and eldest children receiving more attention from parents. I'm unsure as to whether this claim is true; this is just the impression I've had from befriending many "middle children" over the past 15 years.

I hope my answer helps.

Answer 3

I am an only child and I think that it does make a difference. To the person above the fact that the world revolves around you when you are an only child is because you have all the toys and even though you may know about sharing if you go to kindergarten etc you dont have to fight for anything at home, there is no competition for things. It's not spoilt, I was always taught that things needed to be earnt and I was not given everything I asked for. I am a very sensitive person and can take things very personally, and I think that sibling rivalry and fighting toughens you up, and if you dont have that experience then you might not build up such a tough skin. It is also slightly more difficult to form friendships because when you have brothers and sisters they have friends and come over and you get to talk to them etc but when you are an only child unless you are naturally confident it is more difficult to meet a range of people. I would say only children have a smaller group of friends than people who have siblings simply for this reason. Another thing is that in my family my extended relatives were all older, so that I knew how to interact with adults but not so well with children my own age. I didnt so much become a recluse but I just didnt have the skills or knowledge to interact properly with people my own age (I was either friends with people older or younger than me). It has changed though as I have gotten older and matured.

Answer 4

have quite the opposite opine based on own daughter
she is 3rd year bio major/chem minor has always gotten on well with others and is able to resolve conflict rapidly,fairly, and diplomatically. it would seem that exposure to people of all age groups and a variety of backgrounds in a loving and stable environment are a whole lot more important than the number of rug rats popped out by people who A] can ill afford them, B] who are always fighting for any attention at all or C]being mean to each other just because they can
what toughens kids up is teaching them to do the right thing even if at their own expense, that nothing is free and that you alone must earn whatever you achieve good or bad, and that bad has real consequences just as good has real rewards.
one last note: keeping a child away from negative influences through positive discipline [ horseback riding ,martial arts, etc.] builds a lifelong can do attitude and gives them a skill which becomes a source of personal pride in themselves and increases self worth, this indeed fosters self reliance.

Answer 5

socially inferior? NO. maybe a bit more reclusive, but theyre used to being by themselves.
My child is an only and is somewhat of a home-body, just a bit shy in unfamiliar situations, as I was at his age and I have 3 siblings. I can relate to where he is in his life, he is just like I was and it took me years to be comfortable with ME. There is more social pressure on the kids these days. and many of them have little escape, but the world of computers has overcome many a youngster, but its better than dope.

Answer 6

There is a bigger percentage of unsociable only-children than the percentage of unsociable children who have siblings. Only-children are as well socially inferior as concerns communication with people of their age, because they don't have someone of their age in their family.

Also children with unsociable siblings or siblings much older or younger than them are often less social or sociably skilled than children whose siblings are about the same age as them and sociable