Is it good to date an “only child”?
Ok don’t take offense if you are an only child, I’m just putting it out there.
Do guys who are the only child in the family tend to be more spoiled and selfish? Are they good marriage material? They after all have never really been forced to share their parents’ attention, or asked to give their toys to their younger siblings. No fault to anyone, but for their entire life it’s been all about them.
My friend’s BF is a very nice guy, but a bit of “me, me, me” person. I honestly don’t think he even realizes he’s like that. It doesn’t help that his mother calls him “perfect” her one and only “baby”.
So the question: How do you “retrain” a guy like this, or is it a lost cause?
I’m trying to get my friend and her BF on the air with us tomorrow morning to talk about it.
But for now…leave me your thoughts and I’ll pass them along.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Hi Sandy,
I caught part of this debate on my way to work this morning and wanted to call in. I think that you’re exactly right about the “only child syndrome” and that naturally they’re more selfish than people who grow up with siblings. Whether parents want to believe it or not you spoil your only child and give them undivided attention out of love when in reality you’re telling him/her that they’re superior and they can do know wrong.
My roomate in college was an only child and was impossible to have a conversation with… everything always was about her and how things were in her life. She also was always “so busy” yet she didn’t work, have a boyfriend or ever exceed more than the minimum 12 credit hours per semester. Very frustrating to someone who actually had a lot on their plate. Her parents weren’t rich but they gave her everything which led her to walk around thinking the world always owed her something.
I hate to bash but whoever says that an only child isn’t all about themselves must be an only child and clearly are in denial b/c Mommy and Daddy always told them they were right.
I know that some people are lucky enough to only have the opportunity to bring one child into the world and I am truley happy for those individuals… but for parents who just choose to stop after one STOP IT! You’re little perfect girls and boys are making our lives miserable… they’re impossible co-workers, impossible friends and impossible to date!
Thank you.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I definitely have to weight in on this debate after reading the previous comment.
I AM AN ONLY CHILD!
To the poster above: How DARE you single out “only children” as people who are more selfish than others. I know plenty of people who have siblings and are WAY MORE selfish than myself. I actually think being an only child makes us more mature because we learn how to get along with adults since we don’t have a brother or sister to relate to.
I have worked my butt off to get what I have in life. I bought my own car, managed to balance 15 credits each semester in college and also worked part-time. And as far as impossible to date - I have been with my boyfriend for 3 years!
It’s a STEROTYPE and as with any stereotype, you can find examples for and against it.
I am sorry your roommate was a spoiled brat, but they are only brats because their parents let them get away with it - regardless whether they are an only child or have siblings.
July 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Sara-
LOL, I’ve been wondering if I was going to get any angry responses… so thanks.
Maybe you’re not a selfish person but I don’t know you and if you’re like most only children then you wouldn’t admit it anyways. Besides who would actually call themselves that?
Sorry you took the last post so much to heart, but lets face it dear… it’s the truth. I’m sure there are plenty of people who grew up with siblings that are selfish… I know plenty of those too and I never said that I didn’t.
Anyways, I was just simply giving my input… so sorry you took so much offense.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Hi, I was listening this morning to your conversation about only children, I am an only child. I have to agree with only somethings, my parents do have pictures of me ALL over the house, I do find it very embarrassing, I hated having new people over and have them say you must be “Daddy’s little girl.”
My dad did spoil me a lot when I was younger but I moved out to go to college at 17 and have had a job since then, able to run my own life.
I have been in a relationship going on 4 years and have had no problems, I do not always get everything, I have come to understand that I don’t always get what I want.
As a child it was hard not having anyone to play with, I had to learn to do things alone, and I grew up much faster. When I was a senior in high school my mom passed away from cancer and I was thrown into responsibilities that I should not have had at that age, but they have made me a better person. I think that each only child has different situations that make them who they are and who they will be. I do believe that there are a lot of spoiled rotten kids out there. But, I am no longer one of them, I have learned to grow up. And I am glad that I have had a boyfriend to be there helping me do it.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
i am currently an only child and 13 but being an only child means that you arent compared to any other siblings and you can’t blame it on anyone else!