Have I committed a crime by having only one child?

I think that her being an only child will affect her in some ways. But not in enough ways that you should consider having more because of it. My husband and I have a daughter. And I'm determined that she will be the only one. A lot of people say the same things to me as they do you. But it doesn't matter to me what other people, think, feel or say. If I have a child then I have all the responsibilities of caring for him or her not them. All they can do is say is "she had a child", etc. And then they carry on with their life. One child is definitely enough for us. And we are happy with that decision. So don't let others get you down. Tell them they should have more children. If they say they can't physically because of whatever reasons, Tell them they can adopt. And I'm sure they will come up with all the excuses of why they can't or won't. Then let them know you and your family are happy and you don't want to have anymore just like they don't want to adopt either at their age, or for whatever excuse they give.

It seems to be a common conception that, if you are going to raise a family, you should have at least two or three children. People 'justify' this in various ways but none of them are 'real' reasons. The most common one - that 'only children' tend to be less 'social' or more lonesome than children from families with more than one child - is simply not true. Children learn social skills in many ways and an only child can be just as balanced and 'whole' when they become an adult. It depends on how the parents foster their development and how much interaction they have with other children at school, at play and generally. Perhaps the 'real' reason behind most people's objection is some notion that you are not 'continuing the species' if you don't have at least two children (to replace you in the population when you die). Since the world population is already on a trip to disaster, is it not more of a 'crime' to contribute to it by having more than two children? I don't know what particular reasons you have for not wanting any more children but I'm sure they are personal and completely valid. Much more valid for you and your family than the expectations of others. You don't have to justify yourself every time someone suggests that you should have more children. Grandparents love grandchildren, of course, but asking you to produce more is essentially a selfish reason! You should just laugh at people who suggest that you should have more and say "Well, that's what we decided! Anyway, isn't the world over-populated already?" See what they have to say to that!

there are many factors that will affect your child's development as a human person. and these factor vary on their impacts. there is no denying that being the lone child will have an impact, but the greater impact will be brought about by the environment - family, school and community. how you love your child? how the school instill discipline and values? how the community accept her? these have greater impact than being a lone child.

I don't think that it's a bad thing to have only one child. There are ups and downs to being a single child, just like there are ups and downs to having siblings. Ultimately, it's your decision really.

Your profile says you are an Indian, am I right? Well, I think you have this kind of beliefs that it is good to have more children, though I am not really sure of it. If you ask me, it is not a crime having only one child as long as you have the capacity to give and provide what your child really needs. Give all the love your child deserves cause only child deserves a lot of love specially they don't have anyone to play with and share with at times.It is right to give her all the knowledge and guidance she deserves to be more deserving and be accepted to all.

i think that is not a crime.. being a only child not sad, because all of your attention is focus to her..

No I think in todays financial climate and the way the world seems way over crowded I think if you feel your happy with one then that is quite ok, how dare people make you feel bad, I must be worse because I don't have any, I never really wanted the marriag commitment so if you have committed a crime then mine must be worse...

I don't think you have committed a crime by deciding on having just one child. What's more of a crime for me are those parents who keep having children even if they don't know how to take care of them. It's also a myth that children who don't have siblings grow up to become selfish people. I find this the opposite among friends who are the only child. They are more sociable and tend to be more affectionate because they miss having a sibling and compensate this by having a lot of friends.

Obviously it is not a crime by having only one child, you are not breaking any law at all. It is just silly for you to think in such a manner, nobody in this world can decide for you how many children you can have or not having, it is strictly a personal decision to make. Never blame yourself of not having many children, or for wanting to have only one, it is perfectly fine to have only one child if you so choose, no one can accuse you committed a crime, if that happen, tell him or her to kiss you AS* and lick your toes, then go eat themselves until the cow come home.

it's not bad to have one child only, what bad is to have lots of child but parents can't provide what their childs need.

No, other than by the stupid standards of society, but really, what sane person honestly cares what the masses thing? If you want to have one children or two or three or whatever, don't really be swayed by the groupthink that is currently infecting the world where people tend to pressure those to have more children that they can handle. That is foolish and it is really doing a disservice to any child or children that you have. And the fact that people say you are committing some sort of sin is utterly stupid. Sometimes bringing more children into an otherwise even family are going to lead to more problems. And I do have my own theory that only children tend to be more mentally balanced later on for the most part, with their parents attention not being split in many different ways. Not to say that all children who have siblings are mentally imbalanced, but it can lead to psychological problems and it is not a decision to be made likely. Society with their conceptions and beliefs is just messed up no matter how you slice it.

i don't think having one child only is a crime but people are used to a family of 2 or up children. i know God has His plans and if He will give you another child He will at the right time. even if you are into contraceptive, if it is God's will nothing is impossible. we only have one child now but he is only 20-month old and we still hope we can have 2 and it depends on God's plan.

I find that when people question about more children, I tend to get a little irritated. My daughter is still really young, and people are already starting to ask me about a second. I have no desire to have two kids under two, kudos to those who can, but I'm not one of them. An effect? Sure being an only child will have an effect on her, but that doesn't mean it'll be a negative affect. I know someone who has a nearly 15 year age gap between then, when he was 18 his sister was 3, so while she knows she's not an only child, she still pretty much grew up as the only child in the house. I'm sorry people are bugging you about it though.

i don't think that having one child is by any means mean. It is nice to have more than one child so they have someone to turn to when something happens to the parents but that's not to say that an only child would know any difference.

I don't think that's a bad thing. You your own can decide on number of children that you want, not the society. Not all people want a big family. Plus you'll be the responsible for raising your kid, finally, emotionally and all other aspects. Why bother what others think.

I don't think so there will be any effect in her life. As long as she have cousins and friends or playmates around as she grow old then there is anything wrong with that. It is not even a sin to decide to have on child only. These days it is really tough raising too many kids, and if you and your husband thinks you won't be able to raise another one right now - then your decision is good. Unlike other couples who just don't care about having lots of kids but don't really know how they can feed them or send them to school.

Better to be able to support one than none.