I Am Fascinated By Human Behavior

Is anyone on here an only child? If so what has your experience been, especially as an adult? Do you struggle with waiting your turn because you always want to be first, the give and take in relationships because you can only see things your way, considering another's point of view, or losing in a competition. I ask this because I've always heard these things are particularly hard for an only child. It might be true because a cousin of mine who's an only child has had two failed marriages because she just can't understand why people don't put her on a pedestal like her parents always did.

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Lochlee · 51-55, F

My son is one. It depends I suppose. Its hard on only children because they get attention overload. There is only one school report to be zoomed in on, only one child to "disappoint", the "one and only"... the list goes on..and it amounts to pressure we cant always imagine. How they come out of it, depends in part how parents treat the child...the little god/goddess who can do no wrong...or just like a normal child. It also depends on the personality of the child. One finds self centred people whether they are only children or not. So perhaps a combo of "goddess" treatment, combined with personality?

Cloud7593 · 46-50, F

@Lochlee That's exactly what happened to my cousin, a combo of personality and special treatment. Her aggressive, dominant personality plus the goddess treatment made her very difficult to be around as a child! My brother and I always felt like trained monkeys when we were around. And I'm not saying you have to be an only child to be a spoiled brat. A lot of youngest siblings in a family tend to be pampered plus boys in general tend to be favored regardless of birth order.

Lochlee · 51-55, F

Especially problematic when "brattish" behaviour is condoned by parents. Whatever the birth sex or order. My sister in law (a late baby) was allowed to say anything to adults (or anyone for that matter)..regardless of how rude it was.... never quite learnt tact....and now 30 years down the line, not a person others like to spend time with..

Lochlee · 51-55, F

But as for not sharing and always wanting to win etc. I think its a bit of a myth associated with only children.

Cloud7593 · 46-50, F

@Lochlee No not a myth. I've known a lot of only children who are definitely that way.

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