Why Having Siblings Is the Best Thing

Summary

The article discusses the benefits and emotional support of having siblings, especially in adulthood, as seen from the perspective of a single child.

Abstract

The author, a single child, reflects on the emotional void they experience after a breakup and the loneliness that follows, contrasting it with the camaraderie and support they observe in friend's families with siblings. They outline several scenarios where siblings can be invaluable: sharing the burden of aging parents, financial support during tough times, providing cousins for one's children, reducing parental guilt over a child's struggles, and offering emotional support during personal crises. Despite having great friends, the author emphasizes the unique role siblings play in one's life, which cannot be entirely substituted by friendships.

Opinions

Having siblings provides a unique support system that becomes particularly evident in adulthood during challenging times.
Siblings can share the responsibilities of caring for elderly parents, which can be overwhelming for a single child.
Financial and emotional support from siblings can be crucial when facing economic hardships or unexpected expenses like medical bills.
Siblings contribute to the social fabric of a family by providing children with cousins, enriching their lives with close family ties.
Parents of a single child may feel more anxious about their child's ability to cope with life's challenges compared to parents with multiple children.
The presence of siblings offers a special bond and comfort during emotional distress, such as dealing with a breakup or other personal issues.
While friends can provide significant support, the author believes that the connection with siblings is irreplaceable and beneficial in ways that friendships are not.

Trust me, I am a single child and it does not feel great, especially when I became an adult

Recently I had a break-up and it collapsed me so much that I had to see a psychologist. Sometimes I sit at home thinking about nothing, feeling lonely and depressed. I have been to many of my friends' homes, most of them have siblings and it is fun. They fight a lot, it also seems like they don’t care or give attention to each other, but they have this support, an invisible one, which let them know that they have each other to fall back on. I don’t have that. I miss that.

Scenario #1

Imagine you in your forties and your parents are in their most vulnerable form. They are getting old and out of control. As they grow older they behave more like kids. They won’t listen to you and will always be complaining. I am not trying to be negative here, because I love my parents. I know that I have to protect them, and I know I will. But what about yourself? In your forties, you might have a wife and kids, things to worry about like a house loan, car loan and what not. Don’t you think it would be great to share the responsibility with someone who cares for your parents as much as you do? And who would be willing to do that other than your own siblings? It feels good, trust me, it is not getting away from your responsibilities, but knowing that you have help and support from someone who cares.

Scenario #2

It is not always about the money, but it is also about the money. What if you are a single child and not doing well financially? What if you have your parent’s medical bills to pay, which you cannot support with your meagre salary? I mean, having another unsuccessful sibling won’t help here, but on the other hand, you will have at least someone to talk about it or figure things out together.

Scenario #3

Your kids will definitely make amazing friends in school or in college, but they will not be able to find replacements for cousins. Cousins are the best, they are going to be a huge influence in your life, will be part of some of the best memories that you create. It is a chain reaction if you look at it. You having a sibling is indirectly a great gift to your kids.

Scenario #4

Parents can be less worried, they can look at their kids and be happy about the bonding and the support that they have for each other. But if they have only one kid who struggles to meet his/ her ends and they feel helpless, they are going to feel a lot of guilt about it. Imagine them having an urge to help and support you when they are the ones who really need the support at their age.

Scenario #5

Like I have explained in the beginning, it feels like a bliss to have someone to talk to about your break-ups or fallouts with your friends. I am holed up in my room, sad and depressed about my break-up, having no one to talk to. The quarantine is definitely not helping because I cannot even meet my friends, and these are the times I wish I had a sibling to lean on to.

Wrapping Thoughts

I have amazing friends, and this is one of the reasons why I am not struggling much. They do make up for a huge fraction of loss that I feel being a single child. They check up on me, care for me, talk to me at odd hours just to make me comfortable. I cannot thank them enough, and this article is not meant to belittle any efforts made by them. It is just a feeling I wanted to voice.