going around about only children. I am an only child, and I would like to clear things up.
(Note:This is on a
personal level, not all only children are alike)
1. They are brats and monsters, with selfish ways.
Myth! This is not true! Though I have a more difficult time sharing, I am not a brat and not a monster. I am a selfish child of sorts, I know what I want, and strive for it, but do not demand it that instant.
2. They can be very introverted, and do not especially enjoy the company of others.
Fact! I am a loner, and can never keep friends for long. I value my alone time, and get tired of seeing people after a while.
Here Anne Hart tells about her experiences with "well intentioned, more experienced" moms inquiring "sweetly" 'Is he your only one?' And her babbling, as if trying to apologize for her only child. And of course, right on cue, a more experienced mother saying how children
need siblings, otherwise they'll turn into "Veruca Salts". This article is not only offensive, but infuriating to me Would you, good people of America, like to know how it feels to be constantly stereotyped? No. No, you wouldn't. I bet most of you grew up with a brother or two. Perhaps a sweet little sister. Again, Anne Hart tells us how being an only child is, apparently, a
disease now.
Directly from Anne Hart's article, I see another piece of information that I'd like to bring to your attention.
"The prejudice against 'onlies' isn't anything new. The myth of the only child dates back to the late 1800s, when G. Stanley Hall, known as the founder of child psychology, called being an only child 'a disease in itself' "
That's what I want you to think about the next time you automatically label an only child as a bratty monster.
Bye for now,
Sarah.
Bye for now,
Sarah
(Quote, report, etc. credit to Anne Hart)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
6:50 AM