April 12 is National Only Child Day, and your lack of siblings is your pass to celebrate. This holiday is especially significant for those of us who did not have a sibling and grew up as an only child. National Only Child Day is particularly appropriate because, in recent years, the number of only children has steadily increased, not only in the United States but around the world. The date chosen for this event is also ideal, as it follows Siblings Day on April 10, during which those without siblings would have been excluded.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ONLY CHILD DAY
Prior to the need for population control, individuals rarely had a single child. Given the high infant mortality rate, it was regarded prudent to have more than one child. Therefore, if you examine early historical records thoroughly, you will find that only-child families were extremely uncommon throughout the world.
Then, at some point during the 10th century, global populations began to alter. The typical family size decreased to a single child. Researchers and academics hypothesise that a combination of factors, such as the World Wars, the increase in living costs, and the higher standard of living, may have contributed to this decline in birth rates. As children began to live longer lives and the cost of rearing a child skyrocketed, the size of many families decreased to accommodate the new norm. The trend persisted in an increasing number of developed nations until, country-by-country, nation-by-nation, one-child households became the norm.
Another important factor in the rise of ‘only children’ is the gradual debunking of the negative stereotype associated with them. The negative association began nearly a century ago when American psychologist Granville Stanley Hall declared that being an only child was a disease in and of itself. He had characterised only children as “indulgent” and “spoiled.” Despite the fact that his claims were unsupported by any evidence, they became a worldwide phenomenon, to the extent that some people still believe the stereotype today.
The research conducted in the late 1800s and early 1900s on only children, including numerous academic articles that refuted Hall’s and others’ assertions that single children did not measure up to their peers, provides a counter to these theories. Whether due to circumstances, the environment, or another factor, an increasing number of families are retaining a one-child household and thereby establishing a relatively new, rich family dynamic.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE SOLE CHILD
Numerous famous individuals were only children at the time of their achievements.
Adele, Leonardo DiCaprio, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Leonardo da Vinci grew up without siblings, as did Robin Williams.
Making light of childishness alone
Betty White, an American icon and entertainer, once quipped that she was the “happiest only child in captivity” during her childhood because she had many four-legged siblings.
Only children could be more intelligent than average.
According to research, this is because they devote more time to assignments, perform better in class, and receive higher grades.
They frequently speak to themselves.
One study found that only children converse with themselves significantly more than those with siblings, likely because only children spend more time alone.
Only kids enjoy being the lone individual.
Only children have reported being very satisfied with their independence, and they also appreciate entertaining themselves, according to numerous studies.
NATIONAL ONLY CHILD DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 12 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 12 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 12 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 12 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 12 | Monday |
