Myths and facts of being an only child

Holly Tiret<tiret@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Only children are not any more spoiled, anti-social or lonely than children with siblings.

When you hear the words “only child,” what characteristics come to your mind? If you are like most people you might think: Spoiled, anti-social, selfish, unpleasant or lonely to name a few. Part of this view is from a study conducted more than 100 years ago by Sigmund Freud (1856—1939) appealed to parents to adopt a second child if they couldn’t conceive one, so as to avoid an only child who would be prone to sexual identity problems. www.msue.msu.edu.

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