The rise of the only child: What’s behind the rising number of single-child families

In recent years, the number of couples choosing to have one child has risen sharply.

[@GenK1991]

I feel like an only child myself sometimes. My siblings never visit, the hour drive seems like too much for them, even though im the one with an infant I always try to be there for them and drive out to them. So having a sibling does NOT guarantee you won’t be lonely. I have first hand experience.

[@susibarajas9378]

Yes very true!!! I’m in the exact situation with my siblings..if i don’t drive to their town my son would probably never see them

[@michaelqu]

Same, my brother lives in Norway, and I'm in Washington State.

[@SuburbanSavage]

I have zero relationship with my sister, so having a sibling as a companion is no guarantee. We cannot stand each other.

[@Mayrita77]

True that. Siblings usually dislike each other

[@SuburbanSavage]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS we've already been through that and all she said to me was that she wished that I was dead.

[@SuburbanSavage]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS and our parents had to give everything to a lawyer before they died, so she didn't steal everything from their house.

[@texan903]

Siblings, in my opinion, naturally get along. When that doesn't happen, it's often because the parents turn the children into competitors, or parents have an obvious preference for one child over the other. Parents are the driver for how well their children get along.

[@SuburbanSavage]

@@texan903 oddly, that's not the case. She just hates me because she wasn't the youngest after I was born. That's it. I wish that it was something cooler, but it's lame. Every time a relative of ours dies, she openly says that she wishes me dead.

[@aidenalamo6262]

I would rather have one child than no child. I would be concerned about inheritance if there was a sibling rivalry because of division of estate assets. That is why one child is best for that. It avoids inheritance squabbles if I have only one child.

[@aierhua]

I am Chinese most of us is one child for decades, we get all of our parents money we r getting rich because merge family and inherit with only one heir

[@vidananovazelandia]

you have a bunch of kids because that is what YOU desire, you don't do it for the kid. you have like 3, then you are always broke,. I will have one, help them with university costs and house deposit.

[@Etherion956]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS "not parents, friend or even girlfriend can replace a brother" uhhh... yeah... a brother can't replace a friend, or a father, or even a girlfriend, no relationship can replace another, I just don't see you point "as you money before the child" well how the hell do you think a child stays? with a stable economy

[@andi..9265]

100%.. my husband is one of 5. Their mother had them all so they can be close. 3 out of 5 dont even speak to each other, they hate each other. The others are not close at all. They live within 20 minutes of each other and see each other for Christmas and Easter only. I have neighbours I see more often. I mean 2 kids are nice in my opinion especially if you have a boy and a girl as you get different experiences raising them..and especially if you are fortunate enough to have good genes .. but people should not have a second child for the first child because its a huge sacrifice (emotionally and mentally towards the first child too) for the smallish chance that they may be close. Both of my parents have a sibling and both haven't spoken to them in over 6 months.. and my father... him and his brother are only 2 years apart, it drove my grandmother bonkers as the older one was severely jealous of the younger one. So jealous, that he nearly injured him by hitting him over the head when he was 3.

[@Jbaldwin-r6s]

when I was younger I grew up as an only child some of the kids in my year at school were jealous of me because they have brothers and sisters that they did not get on with but me living the dream since 1995 😁👍🏻

[@chibipaws9889]

I know I'm gonna get bashed and theres gonna be ALOT of argument on this BUT I feel like I have 3 kids already; My oldest is 5 (My cat who has been through so much with me : 6 moves, my surgery, a breakup, my happy marriage, and my one and only pregnancy) then theres my 20 month old baby (human baby), then now I added another baby who is almost 4 months (my dog). My 1 year old daughter definitely does not feel lonely at all, she enjoys playing with her "Siblings" either playing fetch outside of lounging with the cat while watching her shows before a nap or while I'm cooking meals. In conclusion, I'm perfectly content with having one child because what my daughter needs more than a sibling (a human sibling) are mentally stable parents who will be more than happy to give her the attention she needs and to also be there when things are rough. ❤

[@davidlucey1311]

A wise decision. One is plenty.

[@TheDiaryofDestaney]

Yes sir! I have one and he will be 8 in December. I'm one and done.

[@TheDiaryofDestaney]

@@infernogamers168 yes, I do feel that way. Don't get me wrong, it's still hard. But, it is easier than raising two, three, or even four kids. Plus, that one child gets all of your attention. They do not have to share you with any other kids.

[@texan903]

If one child is all you plan on having, just don't have any at all. There's no point.

[@Etherion956]

@@texan903 why? How about if he has an family lineage?

[@texan903]

@@Etherion956 even then, if he has one child, that child might not have any of their own.

[@chailatecookies7341]

I’m 36 and have 13 year old daughter and I’m in the club of the one and done. I just don’t enjoy being pregnant and I’m fine with my only one beautiful baby girl . 💕💕💕

[@chailatecookies7341]

I’ve seen a lot of siblings who don’t get along, my mum and her sister are one of those and so am I ?!?

[@cristinacouplestherapy3819]

It is much more easier for coppell race up only one child. 👉👪👍 Much more time for your hobbies for your relationship with your partner for your job and so on. A child needs to grow up in full family. The most important for each child is to see he's over here mother and father. If you have only one child you can dedicate much more time for your relationship and in this way the child will grow up in full and happy and friendly family.

[@Me-mn4nw]

Thank God I got cancer and couldnt have more as I had unfortunately married a very abusive man. I went out of my way to make sure she was well socialized. You dont need siblings in this world of technology. I am #5 of 6. Unfortunately my siblings took after our parents and are abusive in very way imagineable necessitating my breaking off all contact.

[@kb6069]

This video is much older then 2020. I think is more like 2009.

[@dontmindme.imjustafraidofe9327]

Yeah, I don’t see a lot of little girls playing with Littlest Pet Shop anymore.

[@catbeans8087]

@@dontmindme.imjustafraidofe9327 or maybe …. Just maybe … they didn’t stick a iPad in front of their child at the age of two 🙄 some children actually play with toys and and aren’t co dependent on a tablet for all of their fun.

[@1223steffen]

I only want one

[@tiffanyapril3528]

I have 3 kids and they all get along and keep each other company. I can’t imagine having to be the one constantly keeping them company if I had only one child. Or always having to find them play dates etc. Other families are not always available to hang out with your child. Anyways I know sadly not all families get along but to have siblings get along they will be each others best friends for life! I have 2 siblings that I hang out with and we go on vacations together with our kids( their cousins) and it’s the best thing ever! I don’t even talk to most of my friends from my childhood days. So to me, blood is definitely thicker than water. But to each their own.

[@jules6388]

I can’t imagine having to referee 3 kids all day just so they have “someone to play with”. But to each their own 😊

[@chibipaws9889]

The vacation as a family sounds amazing! Something I would live to have but unfortunately my siblings do not get along as well as their kids don't get along with their cousins due to their parents influence. If we all got along no problem then I would love to have one more but I'm perfectly content with my one and only child. I hope to give her a great childhood and help her bond with her cousins from my husband's side and encourage her to make friends... it seems like alot of work but I'm perfectly fine with that. Pray that your family have a wonderful day and are safe 🤗

[@PinkNintendoDuo87]

My 2 cents (as an only child): Personally, 1-2 kids are enough and would be MUCH more manageable for me as a parent. 3 or more kids? Don’t have the patience for that (much less want the fatigue/drama that come with a larger family). People like you say that because you’re lucky and privileged enough to do so. Others? Not so much, especially in today’s economy. Only children like me will keep existing, so deal with it! 💅

[@PinkNintendoDuo87]

Also, I have a life/identity outside of family; having fewer kids allows MORE flexibility. Sorry to say, but NOT everyone’s identity revolves around family. (Call me selfish all you want. ☕️)

[@PinkNintendoDuo87]

Blood is thicker than water (as you say), but are found/adoptive families not valid? Guess not (according to people like you). 🙃

[@Jakecaseyy]

It’s smart I never got the point of having kids and if you did why have more than one 🤣 it’s such a dumb idea having more than one or one at all

[@andi..9265]

Having one kid is a huge life experience, I personally wouldn't wanna miss out on it... but having ONE will give you the experience in the exact same way as having 5. The parents of singles still get to play with their kids, go to parks, go on play dates, influence and teach and all the other fun stuff that comes with having a child just as much as the parents of 2-3 kids...except they are happier as they have more time to themselves and aren't worn out.

[@shortmashins4031]

I want 4 kids, but i only have 2 1/2 kids

[@Etherion956]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS you will live in loneliness as an adult with siblings or not tbh

[@johannaverbaan1362]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS stupid

[@jules6388]

@@SVLOGGERTHESHUBHAMDAS says who?

[@texan903]

Either have at least two children or none at all. With one, they are completely alone once the parents have died. Also, the bloodline dies if for some reason the only child dies before having offspring. There's no one else to share in childhood experiences or to reminisce with when older.

[@HK-gj3sb]

Completely alone? Do you not have friends, a partner, cousins? Also the bloodline thing is dumb because both kids could die or choose not to have kids at all (like you suggested), and the bloodline would die anyway. I would argue that it's better to have at least one kid, instead of none, that way bloodlines can continue. LOL

[@texan903]

@@HK-gj3sb I repeat, completely alone. In adulthood having cousins is often a blood tie only as people often scatter, living their own lives, often losing contact with the extended family. So, to me, that does not count as family. They are not immediate family, anyway. I know of someone whose only child died this morning; fortunately the deceased has five children. When there's one child, great pressure is put on them to continue on. As for a partner, there is a good chance people will go through many during their life.

[@HK-gj3sb]

@@texan903 I think that is the most depressing thing I have ever heard. You sound sad to me. I don't think the only meaningful relationships that people can have are between immediate family. I'm terribly sorry if you feel you only have your immediate family. I have siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends etc. My support network is primarily my friends and I have 5 siblings. I'm very sorry that you do not have any friends that you feel will support you should a tragedy happen. Best of luck.

[@texan903]

@@HK-gj3sb I am not sad at all. I, too, have aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, great uncles, etc. Each of these men and women have families of their own; their families have their own families. Being in the military for a decade, I know what turning to friends looks like. After this time, I want my own family and at least three children, so when their parents are no longer here, they still will have each other. I have a cousin whose only brother died. That had to have been a lonely experience, devastating. When she married, she and her husband decided on four children. They have them. Moving around frequently, they've had largely each other to rely on.

[@Etherion956]

@@texan903 With or without siblings when you are an adult you will be ALONE, whether you like it or not, when your parents die you will have to be someone independent and not support yourself from them. it's stupid to believe that you were born just to continue a family lineage