"Amma,have you seen that son of Dr.Parvathi?"
"yah..bechaaraa...that single gloomy fellow"
We hear this kind of conversations in our daily routine.Did we ever think why that "single fellow" turned gloomy,when other children of his age are happily spending their time in playgrounds?Do u still think this is something obselete?if your answer is no,come..let us rediscover wat is behind the behavior of single children in nuclear families,with intermention of joint families in India.
Its a human urge to belong and to be loved.Its a dream of every small child to play with her brother or sister(though this includes fighting and crying).In the case of children with siblings,they enjoy a kind of security and belongingness which make them more confident.
I still remember how children in my neighbourhood used take away dolls and toys from me just for allowing me to play with them.I remember the days when they blackmailed me for every damn reason that they will boycott me from their team,if i dont follow their instructions.I did all those b'coz i didn't have anyone "mine" to support me.
Besides this,there is an extra pressure on the parents to bring up these "fragile pieces" into "good" children,who are not stubborn or spoilt(both of them are used almost as synonyms..)and its not a problem if a child is stubborn if she has siblings..they must be neither too sensitive nor too infuriative.Any deviation will point to their "NIL" sibling status.
There are many notions among people about the behaviour of single children- that lack in attatchments,empathy,that they seem insouciant and act abnormal at times.of course,i accept that there are always some exceptions,but by and large,most of the children actually crave for company,attatchment aand belongingness.Thet can't walk out of relationships as others do even when they grow up.The most common notion is that single children are shy..let me tell you that there are many who excelled in public speaking,immediate example being Mrs.Indira Gandhi.
I am not attempting to include single children into handicapped category..but am trying to give possible reasons for their deviant behavior.Finally,as i observed many children in my life,i conclude that most of them turn out into two extreme sects..one consists of people who crave for love and caring.. and other of people who are too possesive,selfish and gloomy.It all depends on parenting and environment in which they are brought up.There are equally good chances that they behave very normal in a good company(if u and me give it).So,i say that not all are jackanapes and thanks to my parents..i am a happy single child.
Now tell me,are single children really single?