Scientific American surveys the findings of a number of studies and concludes only children are not especially disadvantaged thereby, as some have thought. This interests me as I’m an “only.”
They report evidence for increased intellect and creativity among only children, but perhaps decreased tolerance of others’ foibles. Having to learn to coexist with siblings could foster tolerance.
If I’m any indication, only children may prefer the company of adults to that of other children. I can’t describe how nice it was when my age cohort finally became adults, which occurred at college. At that point their behavior became more interesting and less chaotic.
