[LMB] Single children (Was China)

[Elizabeth Holden]

> Robin wrote, on why males growing up in China's one-child policy will
> have problems
> > > My theory is: very male, very unused to sharing (no siblings, so no
> > > sense of "brotherhood,")

You seem to have a rather negative view of single children.  Being one myself, I like to think we
are nothing like that.

Laura:
> I think the issue will be far more evident in a society of only-child
> families than in examples of only-child families in a mixed society.

Why do you think so?
 
> In China, you have a pre-existing heavy focus on the son, further
> focussed because a baby boy will be the ONLY focus of two parents,

That may simply teach him maturity, responsibility, and how to learn. He may get extra discipline,
not a lack of it.  Being neglected or ignored by parents is not good for a child either.

> four grandparents, possibly up to 8 great-grandparents (or however
> many are still alive).  There's a lot of potential, I think, for
> insufferably spoiled boys.

Surely that's in the hands of the adults?  It's hard for me to imagine such a situation, being
from several generations of small and late families. But I have also observed that people tend to
jump to the conclusion that only children will be spoiled even when there is absolutely no
evidence of this, and I really - not just for egotistical reasons - don't think it's true.

namaste,
Elizabeth