Are "Only Children" Happier Than Those In The Big Families?

Chronicle (Levin), 2 June 1948, Page 6

Are "Only Children" Happier Than Those In The Big Families?

We are hearing a lot of talk these days on the purpose. of marriage. Some sections of the church would hkve-us 'believe that marriage is'primarily the producing of children: the law, representing the State, has argued in effect that procreation is, not of first importance. ' . '

Perhaps of all recent social prp.f)lems and legislation this subject has caused more discussion in homes of thinking people than many other material or spiritual matters. It brings: up again the old controversial question of large or small families, the only-one versus the house full of children. I happen to be in the curious situation of party to both schools, or should I say party to one and observer to the other, having been born and brought up in a family of 12 children and being the mother of only one, writes Jane Austin in the Recorder. Although I woul'd never presume to say which is ideal, or whether a happy ' medium could be struck, I am having every opportunity of Watching comparisons. Loneliness a Myth .• The ;;alleged loneliness which is usually the. pity story of an only one and the taken for granted happy companionship of the brothers and sisters of a large family are, I believe, two explodable myths. : it can be just as lonely in a big family asydor an only one, and there are many occasions when tne members of a big family 1-ong ior solitude and the opportunity to express individuaiity. There can be in large families such diverse personalities that apart from the common bond of parentage all other relations between members might' be as between strangers. 1 When I was my daughter's age and had as my immediate seniors two teasing and taunting brothers, I felt that to be an only-one would be my idea of heaven. I have no doubt I asked for all I got. Only Child Sociable And what of my on y one? I have watched for slgns of the bogey of loneliness. I believe she has learned the art of being a-lone without being lonely. I have watched her behaviour with other children, which seems to

indicate no unsociability. I would say she scores there higher than I did at her age. Perhaps I should ieave a neutral party to say this,' but I cannot find in the oft-accused selfisliness j of only-ones anything more than ■pride of posseSsion", and 'that surely dn these days is a, spirlt or care and icaution. Then is there logic in reasoning on the size pf today's families? Some subjects are better for argument than others. This is one that no logic will prove, but whatever the Church says or the law decrees. Iwhere and when there are homes for all in Britain, and there are ; children, it will be a happier land.