Bernice: Here is another 50′s perspective. As a child born in the early 1950′s I rather enjoy these memories and I have chosen some sepia photos to accompany them. Just to say if you would like to send in your story, any sort of photo to accompany it is gratefully received!
Guest: I was an only child & grew up in the 50s & 60s.
I think it made me more self-reliant and I can honestly say that I have never been lonely in my life, because I am good with my own company. I am also very sociable & enjoy other people’s company & good conversation, so I am not a loner in the derogatory sense of the word, but I am equally Ok with having a few days – or even longer – on my own at home.
In fact I do need my own space intermittently & do not like being constantly in company 24/7. I know of people from large families who hate being alone & can’t cope with it. I think being an only one made me
stronger.
As a child, I was rather a bookworm and so was quite happy to be on my own a lot of the time outside school; I was however, quite gregarious in school and with my friends.
I think I am a well-adjusted only & am certainly quite happy. I live on my own now and have no wish to enter into another relationship – I am in my sixties & retired - but I have a full social life which provides me with all the company I would wish for, while still leaving me space for myself.
