The Various Theories of Being an Only Child Essay -- Burrhus Frederic

The Various Theories of Being an Only Child This paper is going to evidence two of the various theories of being an only child. These theories come from a famous psychologist known as Burrhus Frederic Skinner and a psychology major at north University known as Alissa D. Eischens. But first it will mention the stereotypes given to the only child from an outsiders point of view, then two cases that specify different childhood experiences that they had as an only child and how they dealt with it. Then it will go on and discuss a few statistics. The only child is automatic aloney judged by people. We assume that their selfish, anxious, not fun to be associated with, difficult when it comes to making their way in a world that doesnt centrally evolve nearly them. When an outsider is asked to describe the characteristics of an only child they will most likely respond with they are spoiled brats. They get all of the attention they want from their put forwards because in that location arent any br new(prenominal)s or sisters to compete with. However, only children seem to have a better self-esteem and are higher achievers. Not to mention their personalities shift greatly. Not having siblings around telling them whats right or wrong to do by their standards allow the child to think on their own, without help from anyone some other than their parents. (Sifford, pg 13)Heres a case of one adult that remembers sharply about growing up as an only child. This person blames a roundabout of their issues on being an only child. The lack of peer interaction, and the great amounts of adult contact created a proneness to loneliness, selfishness, pride, and the need of belonging and approval. They neer had to share and everything that their parent owned was also considered hers. She didnt have to learn to share until a much older age than most kids with siblings. She never had to experience a associate or sister borrowing or simply taking items and losing, breaking, or s imply not returning to them to her. The thing she remembers most about being a child was her loneliness. One specific case was when she over-heard her parents arguing one night when they thought she was asleep. The word divorce was briefly mentioned and she didnt have anyone there to ring with or talk to. Occasionally her cousins would spend the night, besides she never confided in them and waited until they left to show her real emot... ...sex. A little boy may converge with dolls and not think anything of it. Oppose to if the boy had an older sister or an older brother to tell the child that playing with dolls was girly. The child may never pick up the doll again. The extrovert characteristic will appear in a more social setting. The child is more desperate for the for the friendships children of their age, than with siblings of all different ages. (Eischens, The Dilemma of the Only Child. 3/05)I grew up with an older brother and at times of course I wished that I was the only child, but as we grew older, we have two learned to almost depend on each other under different circumstances. We look out for each other in the long run and were there for each other during hard times. Our parents went through a divorce when we were both much younger and we had each other. We both have a couple friends that are the only child and they do fit both of the theories mentioned by Skinner and Eischens. I have taken into amity that these theories do not apply to every child that is an only child, just a majority. Children react different to different situations, regardless if they have a brother or sister their or not.