The only child syndrome is a term that is used for those kids, who are the only child or their parents and their chances for growing into a non-adjusting, over pampered and immature adults. A lot of research has been done on this topic since a lot of years. Through all the research work that is done, it has been seen that the only children of their parents are more likely to face various types of troubles in terms of their social and mental behavior. Various terms like selfish and loners are used for these types of children only due to their self-centered and eccentric behavior.
More than the truth, various traits that are popular about the Only Child Syndrome more or less are misconceptions and a type of stigma that has been created by the society. The fact that a child who is brought up without any siblings will be a spoiled child holds no truth. However, since the only child often receives more attention, care and all types of resources of their parents, this may contribute in their disturbed behavior or self-obsessed nature to some level. In contrast to these types of believes, there are a lot of individuals and researchers who also believe that the kids who have no siblings, are often more capable, trustworthy, reliable and display a higher self esteem and accomplished life. Such kids are often more responsive towards their parents as well. From a very young age, they start understanding that they have a responsibility towards their parents and thus make sure to fulfill it with the needed contentment.
Initially when the child is admitted to the school, he may face some problems in adjusting with other kids and socializing with them. But when they grow to their teenage, this attitude gets converted into a behavior where the kids treat their friends and all the people around them with full respect. Since these kids attain maturity little faster in comparison to those kids who have siblings, they often grow up as adults who have a longer list of achievements and success.
Like everything, the only child syndrome also has both the sides. However, if the polishing is done in the right way, the kids would surely grow up as individuals who have a better and satisfying life. For the parents, there are a lot of fears that they may go through if their child has no siblings. Some of these fears include the child’s disobedience, non-cooperation with others, no or little adjustment, etc. Eventually this topic would not stay of that much importance if the kids are brought up properly and told the difference between right and wrong at a very young age itself.