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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Only children often grow up independent, value personal space, and maintain a particularly close bond with their parents. At the same time, the absence of brothers and sisters can influence how a person perceives criticism, shares things, and builds relationships with those around them.
This is written about by YourTango.
Childhood without brothers and sisters has its own features that can persist throughout life. A child does not have to share parental attention, toys, or a room every day, so they become more self-reliant and accustomed to personal space.
In the United States, approximately 20% of families raise one child, and about 12% of Americans grew up without brothers and sisters. Among such people, seven characteristic habits are distinguished, which can manifest even many years after childhood ends.
The first characteristic is a love of solitude. People who were only children often feel comfortable without constant company. They can go to the movies alone, spend evenings at home, or engage in their favorite activities without needing others.
This does not mean that such people are necessarily closed off or feel lonely. They simply grew accustomed to finding activities for themselves from childhood and not relying on the presence of others.
The second habit is a special attention to their own space. Children who grow up with brothers and sisters are forced to constantly negotiate for shared use of rooms, things, and everyday conveniences.
In only children, such situations are usually fewer. They get used to their things staying in their places, and personal space is not violated without permission.
Because of this, in adulthood living with a partner or neighbors may require some adjustment. This especially concerns the need to share living space and everyday items.
The third feature is a need for the other person’s attention in conversation. Only children typically receive more individual attention from parents, since they do not have to compete for it with brothers or sisters.
They get used to adults listening to their opinion and involving them in family discussions. Later, this can manifest as an expectation of the same level of attention from friends or romantic partners.
The fourth habit is ease in communicating with older people. Since a large part of childhood is spent near parents, only children often get used to the company of adults.
In adulthood such people may readily converse with older colleagues, friends, or partners. They are often interested in listening to stories from people with more life experience.
At the same time, this does not mean that they have difficulty communicating with peers. Just the age difference does not always become a barrier to forming close relationships.
The fifth feature is reluctance to share certain things. Children with brothers and sisters have to negotiate about shared toys, food, and other items from an early age.
Only children may have less of this everyday experience. Therefore, in adulthood some of them especially guard their own things or are reluctant to share favorite products.
This habit can manifest even in small things. For example, a person may prefer separate items for personal use and dislike when someone takes them without permission.
The sixth feature is heightened sensitivity to criticism. In families with several children, brothers and sisters often argue, make remarks to each other, and learn to react to others’ opinions.
A single child may less often encounter such situations at home. Therefore, in adulthood some people may find it harder to calmly accept remarks about their behavior.
However, this reaction is not mandatory for everyone who grew up without brothers and sisters. The ability to accept criticism also forms through interaction with friends, the educational environment, and personal experience.
The seventh habit is a special closeness with parents. When a family has one child, the parents often become their main conversation partners at home.
This connection can persist even after the person begins an independent life. Only children often strive to remain involved in their parents’ affairs, regularly call them, and more often find time for personal meetings.
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Люди, які виросли без братів і сестер, мають 7 особливих звичок у дорослому житті". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: Expert.
