The end of the stereotype

In a few years ago, it was rare for a couple to have only one child, but nowadays this is becoming more and more common. Researches show that the number of children has been falling gradually, since the 1960s. The women's option of prioritizing the career and letting pregnancy for later, the high cost of living and the little time to devote to the family are among the main causes of the reduction in the family size. But is it healthy for the kid to be an only child?

Only children are seen as individualistic, spoiled and self-centered. Yes, excessive caution can be harmful. Parents have to follow the development of their children, but without thinking everything they do is exceptional; only children don’t have to be treated as if they were crystals. It's extremely healthy for this kind of kid to be surrounded by other children. Parents have to allow the kid to interact. Cousins are crucial in this case, and this relationship has to be valued. Many people think only children feel the lack of a sibling, but it isn't true. Being an only child brings no emotional impairment, unless they don't feel inserted in a social life compatible with their age.

The connection between siblings is big and strong. A sibling is the one you can trust, is the companion, the friend, the person with whom you can share secrets. One the greatest fears of only children is to take care alone of their parents, when they are old and sick. Some of them get back to their parents' house and say they don't have no one to share this responsibility; they choose loosing freedom again.

Despite difficulties, only children have learned how to share, compete and even be alone, enjoying the benefits and lessons of their parents' choice. The large number of couples with only one child has contributed to make this fact not to be an exception, overturning the stereotype of different.

This article was based on: “Jogando com um” - Estado de Minas 01/08/10