4 Issues ‘Only Children’ Bring up During Therapy

Many people believe "only children" or those without siblings grew up spoiled. Many also believe only children grow up sad or alone.

In 1896, early psychology research also claimed only children tend to grow up "jealous, selfish, egotistical, dependent, aggressive, domineering, or quarrelsome." This was attributed to the undue attention they received

These negative stereotypes have proven to be false but remain to be a widespread belief. This comes even as 20% of households in the US have only one child.

Challenges That Only Children Face

In an effort to remove the stigma around only children, here are the four most common issues only children bring up with their therapist, per HuffPost.

Sibling-Like Connection With Their Peers

One of the most common issues children with no siblings bring up during therapy is the lack of sibling-like relationships with other people their age. This is more common during the holidays.

To resolve this loneliness, only children seek to foster close friendships akin to familial relationships with their peers.

Caring for Elder Parents

Adult only children are expected to handle the elder care responsibilities of their parents. Responsibilities may include driving them to medical appointments or helping with meal preparation. Some are also expected to assist with financial management.

This can leave them feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It can also be even more difficult when the child lives far from their parents.

High Expectations From Parents

Only children usually receive lots of attention from their parents. This can help build a closer relationship with them. However, it is also this attention that can make only children feel pressured.

Some parents pressure their children to become achievers. This could mean achieving academically or adhering to certain standards and expectations. Adult only children who grew up under intense pressure could struggle to balance their own needs with their parents' wishes, according to Psychology Today.

Independence

Often, only children learn to rely on themselves. This can create a large sense of independence and foster a take-charge attitude. Other people may see an independent only child as a great leader. However, some may see them as bossy.

One way to improve this is to focus on collaboration skills. Only children can also learn how to phrase their feelings using "I" statements.