One and only: The perks and pitfalls of being an only child

Siti Azerah, Ahmad Hafizie and their only child, Muhammad Aisy Rifqie. — SITI AZERAH MOHD YASIN

CULTURALLY, being the only child comes with its own set of perceptions, primary among which are that the child is spoilt, doesn’t know how to interact in a group setting and may not be resilient to navigate life.

Austrian doctor and psychotherapist Alfred Adler, who founded the school of individual psychology, called an only child a “miracle baby”; because of the complete attention he or she receives from both parents. The Alderian theory also suggests that this exclusivity may lead to these children being spoiled, just like the youngest child.