"Parents of singletons sometimes grapple with the notion that they are being selfish when they are happy with one offspring and declare one child is enough for them. When doing one-on-one interviews for my book, Just One: The New Science, Secrets & Joy of Parenting an Only Child, women I spoke with had strong feelings about being thought of as or called "selfish.""
"All parents must make sacrifices, irrespective of how many children they have. So you may be asking yourself: Where do I draw the line between accepting some level of sacrifice and having a life that allows me to be a content, happy person and parent? For parents of one, the answer may be that they focus on parenting and don't worry about what others may think or say. It's worth restating, as many parents I interviewed have, that this is a highly individual decision."
Attitudes toward family size have shifted, yet parents who stop at one child can still face social judgment and the label of being "selfish." The "selfish" designation can overlook the real challenges and sacrifices parents make. A 73 percent majority of Americans recognize that raising children requires major personal sacrifices. Sacrifice is a universal aspect of parenting regardless of family size. Many parents of one prioritize balancing parenting with careers and relationships while choosing not to be swayed by others' opinions. The decision to have a single child is presented as a highly individual one rooted in personal priorities.
Read at Psychology Today
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]