Although parenting approaches change, attitudes about only children remain stuck in the past. The negative stereotypes--lonely, selfish, bossy, spoiled, socially maladjusted--make parents think their child will be at a disadvantage when compared to those who grow up with siblings.

The Case for the Only Child debunks the myths, taking into account the many chang­es the nuclear family has experienced in the face of two-family incomes, women who have children later, and the economic reality of raising children in our modern world. Combining often-surprising findings with real-life stories, compassionate in­sight, and thought-provoking questions, Dr. Susan Newman provides a guide to help you decide for yourself how to best plan your family and raise a single child.

-Provides fascinating facts and statistics to show the reasons for the rapid risein the number of singletons

-Explores pressure from friends, relatives, and strangers to have a second child . . . and how to deal with it

-Demystifies the realities of raising and being an only child with personal stories and current research

-Explores the highly debated question: Does a child need a sibling?