In our grandparents' days, being an only child was unusual. In those days, people had big families, and it was common for a family to have four or five or even more children. But for our generation, I notice, two or even one child seems to be the norm. An only child often gets more attention from his parents. As there is no other sibling to compete for his parents' attention, it is easy for an only child to get his way.
Therefore being the only child in the family can be considered as advantageous for some people and disadvantageous for others. Although it has some advantages like more undivided attention from parents, no sibling rivalry and more material benefits, it also has its disadvantages like a lonely childhood, becoming a selfish person when grow up, the parents' burden that a child has to carry after some years and the bad manners of a child. The former one concerns the benefits that the child gets more as in the case of parents who buy more presents to their only child whereas the latter one concerns the parent's undivided attention and the non-existence of sibling rivalry. Because of the fact the child knows he or she is the only one, he feels that he doesn't have to be perfect and try to be loved more since the parents don't have anyone to make comparisons with.
The only child often has no one to play with. As a result, he is more resourceful in keeping himself entertained. He is usually good at an activity that he can indulge in without a companion such as creative writing, reading and painting. An only child also tends to mature faster because he is always surrounded by adults. I think the greatest disadvantage of being an only child is that he does not have any brother or sister to play with.
I have to say that being an only child is not as great as it may seem. It has its moments but I would give almost anything to have a sibling. I know people tend to have sibling rivalries, but knowing you have someone from the same