IS IT BENEFICAL FOR CHILDREN TO HAVE SIBLINGS

It is entirely correct to say that being the only child would be better than having brothers and sisters. Being an only child has its advantages and disadvantages.

Let us look at the advantages first. The parents can spend well in the upbringing of the child. The child can be provided with better food, nutritious and well balanced, which may not be possible in a big family. The child can have better and a variety of clothing.

Besides these the child can get good education. He may go to a good school because the parents can afford to meet the expenses. Good education means good books, good teachers and good tools. For instance, where there are many children an average parent cannot find means to provide books for everyone. Because of better attention to his education, the only child can hope to reach even university provided, of course, he has the brains.

Another signal advantage is that the parent can attend to the child personally. This will help the parent to shape the child's taste in dress and food. The parent can be helpful in the mental and intellectual growth of the child. There will be an intimacy which could help the boy or girl in later years.

There are also disadvantages in being an only child. The child will feel lonely, companionless and none to share his joys and sorrows. The parent cannot take the place of a brother or sister because of the age gap. Because he is the only child he may be petted and pampered and so he will easily become a spoilt child. He will develop more negative qualities like selfishness, pettiness and obstinacy. He won't have the opportunity to develop many human qualities. Love, affection, kindness, sympathy, appreciation and many such qualities cannot easily develop in an only child. Then again there will be few opportunities to give expression to those qualities.

When they are not developed, he can't have a healthy growth and he can hardly become a well round personality. He may not understand the value of mutual help which is very important in life. He will become so selfish that he would like to have everything for himself. He cannot understand the importance of living with others.

The Sibling relationships is the most enduring one that any of us experiences, longer and less demanding than that of our parents, children or spouse; it is potentially longest relationship we will ever have. Children who have brothers and sisters usually have more perspective of life than the only children. The sibling relationship can bring to children the differences between the views of live not just only from parents but it is also from their brothers and sisters. The first thing that children who have brothers and sisters can learn is how to share with others. Although sometimes children just want to keep something for their selves, they have to think about their siblings before doing that every time. It is just like a conception of sharing. However, the only child in a family has all the things that given. They don't have to worry about their sibling who they have to share with or think about.
In early childhood, children who have brothers and sisters means they have companions and playmates, they can play the game together, have conversations, learn to interact with the community, and share problem with each other. Especially, they can take care of each other; the older can help the younger siblings with homework when parents go to work or have to do something else. In contrast, only children can receive more of their parents' attention, which may give them an advantage with help with homework, more playtime with dad or mom, and perhaps more or better toys, educational items, clothes, etc. because there is more money available. But, only children may not have the opportunity to socialize as much with other children. Days can be long with them, which can cause of depression.
In adulthood, when people get older, they usually find someone that they think they can share their memory about childhood. The only people who they can think of are their siblings who grew up with under a roof of family. It makes elderly feel comfortable and peaceful in the old age when they have some one that reminds them about their childhood. On the other hand, a possible disadvantage for only children when they get older is that they may not have a person to share with when their children have got married and raised their own families. Sometimes, only child has to struggle alone with his life.
In conclusion, only children is unique and special in family and may have higher self-esteem than others, however it is good for children to have brother and sisters because children with siblings learn to share, wait their turn, and perhaps take care of younger siblings, all of which are useful skills for their life in the future. And the relationships among brothers and sisters are infinitely varied, but whatever their characteristics, these bonds last throughout life.