This was an interesting article by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett (‘One and done’ parents are some of the most thoughtful and compassionate I have met, 31 March). I remember a fascinating radio programme some years ago, in which researchers asked only children about their experiences. About half reported that being an “only” made it hard to make friends because they had no practice with siblings – they became loners with a lack of good relationships. The other half reported that having no siblings obliged them to become socially skilled, and that they were great at forming relationships.
The researchers concluded that only children are just like the rest of us, displaying the same range of personality traits and resulting life journeys.
Alison Carter
Lindfield, West Sussex
