Only Child Stereotypes Examined: Australians Share Their Experiences

The Sydney Morning Herald conducted interviews with only children across Australia ranging from age 27 to 73 to assess the validity of long-standing stereotypes about only children. Participants including business owner Ali Clarke, artist Mitch Tambo, and horticulturist Felicity Moody discussed their experiences, with most rejecting labels like 'selfish' or 'spoiled,' arguing that parenting style matters more than family structure. While some acknowledged occasional loneliness—particularly when moving schools without a sibling for support—most expressed satisfaction with their childhoods and noted benefits such as stronger family bonds, more family resources, and greater independence. The article notes that single-child families are rising in prevalence, making this topic increasingly relevant. Interestingly, some only children chose to have multiple children themselves, while others decided against parenthood, suggesting varied outcomes from the only-child experience.