Dear Editor,
I am writing to discuss whether it is better to be an only child than one with siblings. Apparently, there are advantages of both sides, and there is no absolute answer.
Obviously, having brothers and sisters means that competition exists between two or more parties, as resources are limited. For instance, if one is an only child, he will have his own bedroom in most cases. Yet, if he has siblings, he has to share the space with them. Furthermore, parents of an only child will pay full attention to him. If one has siblings, parents have to care about all of the children. In short, being an only child obtains the priority of accessing more resources.
Added to the above, an only child in a family faces less argument. His own decision does not affect his siblings as he has no siblings at all! My own experience is that when my brother, who is my aunt’s son, comes to visit me, he always wants me to play some silly games with him. However, I am too mean to waste my revision time or playing time, so I refuse. But he keeps disturbing me until I shout at him. If he were my little brother, I couldn't even imagine the situation. So, being an only child can avoid many arguments.
Though being an only child is advantageous in some ways, siblings can sometimes bring joy. For a start, one can share happiness or sadness with his siblings. Playing video games with the ‘computer’ lacks fun, since it always gives stereotyped responses to the same action. However, human intelligence is involved when one plays with his siblings. Also, if one gets good marks in exams, he could share it with siblings, but there is no way for an only child. When he is not getting on well with friends, siblings can play the role of a counselor and can offer advice to him. These are the advantages that the only child cannot enjoy.
Last but not least, staying together with siblings can make someone become more mature because he has to take into account others’ interests. Imagine, if the elder brother has to prepare for his public examination, while the little brother wants to watch TV, then both of them have to make suitable decisions. They might make a compromise that the elder brother revises in the morning and afternoon, while the little brother watches TV at night. Moreover, they have to learn to share snacks, comics and so on with each other. Through these, siblings learn that they should care about what others think, which is vitally important in society.
I suppose having siblings is better than being the only child. Although arguments often arise, if one has siblings, what is more important is that they learn morals through getting on with each other.
Yours faithfully
Chris Wong