Family dynamics are evolving. Globally, more individuals are opting not to have children, while parents are increasingly choosing to have a single child. The rise of “one-mothers” and one-child families may become the new normal in the near future.
Factors such as economic instability, soaring child care expenses, shifting gender roles, delayed childbirth, and environmental concerns are making it challenging for some to have more than one child.
In the UK, 44% of families have only one child, and 41% have two children in 2022. Across the EU, the largest proportion of families with children at 49% have one child.
The decline in global fertility rates from five children per woman in 1960 to 2.3 in 2020 signifies a significant shift towards smaller families.
Concerns about loneliness, social disadvantage, and spoiling among only children are unfounded. Research suggests that the one-child approach could actually be beneficial for all involved.
The hidden truth about only children
“It’s a well-known fact that only children can thrive. This should encourage parents who choose to have just one child, especially those who faced pressure to have more children in previous generations,” says Susan Newman, a parenting expert and social psychologist.
“These enduring stereotypes are as hard to dispel as sexism and ageism, but progress is being made in challenging unnecessary stigma.”
“Only Child Syndrome” was initially coined by child psychologists G. Stanley Hall and E.W. Bohannon, who found that only children exhibited negative traits like loneliness, dominance, antisocial behavior, and being spoiled. However, subsequent research has refuted these claims.
Dr. Adrian Mancillas emphasizes that only children fare similarly to their peers with siblings in terms of social and personality outcomes. Close relationships with parents and family dynamics play a significant role in a child’s development, regardless of the number of siblings.
While only children may have unique experiences within the family structure, growing up without siblings can offer benefits such as closer bonds with parents. However, they might also face challenges like heightened exposure to parental stress.
Research shows that most adults who grew up as only children reflect positively on their upbringing. The shift towards one-child families is influenced by multiple factors, including delayed parenthood, evolving family structures, changing gender roles, and environmental concerns.
The trend towards one-child families is not just about countering stereotypes but also about achieving financial security, personal freedom, and happiness for parents of only children.
About our experts Susan Newman and Adrian Mancillas
Susan Newman is a social psychologist and parenting expert, while Adrian Mancillas is a counseling professor at California State University. Both have contributed valuable insights to understanding the dynamics of one-child families and challenging stereotypes about only children.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
