Only children are unique human specimens. Some stereotypes include: the child being spoiled, the child being self-centered, the child is more introverted and many more. Some of the stereotypes hold true. I can speak for myself and the others when we say we are spoiled and sheltered. Not a lot of us are introverted; however, many still are. Only children, as they grow up, tend to learn to be independent of others. The lack of social finesse reflects the lack of siblings. Parents might consider doing group plays but the child in the end only depends on themselves.
Being introverted, we tend to build up walls as well, and learn to keep things to ourselves. But as soon as thee walls come down, results can be quite unusual. I speak from my experience and observations. It is difficult to be placed in situations that require us to interact with unfamiliar people. We stay with in the group that we are already comfortable with and start crawling to them once the situation becomes awkward. We tend to be cynical as well, our trust is difficult to earn, easy to be broken, and even more difficult to rebuild. However once a person pops our “personal bubble”, our learned independence will be thrown away as if it did not exist. I can think of many analogies on how we tend to be n relationships (it does not matter if it is just a close friend, or a significant other).
can say that we tend to become leeches to others. We WILL cling on to people we are accustomed to. For example, during my best friend Michael’s, graduation party, I came a tad early where only his cousins were there and I was not able to find his siblings who I can be able to be comfortable with I was able to hold up a conversation for about three minutes before things started becoming truly awkward. Once Michael came to his house, he was still pretty busy and I just sat there like an idiot not knowing where he is. Others tend to become hosts, doorways to the world. We would want a certain amount of attention ranging from most of a person’s time to all of it.
Knowing that, we tend to suffocate friends and significant others. But the more you pull us off the more you will suffocate. Think of it also as quicksand, the more you struggle the more you get trapped. It will never be easy trying to say that you need space. The only child will tend to start thinking lowly of themselves, examining what they have done and even start being cynical about themselves. In order of a safe removal of the “leech”, you need to find them a different outlet, such as another friend. Technically you will need a back up plan. But again you have to remove them gently in order to get the parasite off.
Now to an only child, burning bridges for them or putting walls back up is like murdering a part of themselves. The child who has thrown away their independence will have a difficult time relearning everything they have built. To cut a relationship with an only child will cause them to suffer. But like a cut, time will heal wounds. However they will leave scars. The child will build up thicker and taller walls, be even less trusting, and more difficult to open up.
But despite all that, having a relationship with an only child is rewarding in some or many aspects. An only child tends to be loyal and faithful companion. And most of them time they will spoil you as much as they are spoiled. Only children also tend to be affectionate and loving over the people who they are comfortable with.
But, there are major exemptions to this stereotype. But through personal experience and observations, this is the general stereotype of only children.
Well, THIS is interesting… I don’t necessarily agree with everything presented, but a lot of it is spot on. Interesting to read.
