The Advantages and Disadvantages of Small Family – PTE Academic Essay Task

There is an increasing trend around the world to have a small family rather than a large family.What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a small family rather than a large family?

Holidays bring about a fair amount of preparations for not only our existing families but for our extended families too. Celebrations in large families are often warm, lively affairs compared to the small families which host small, intimate gatherings shared only with parents and siblings.

Large, boisterous families can be seen as a built-in nest. As new babies take birth, they are happily welcomed, as elders get more fragile, responsibilities are shared, between swapping of jokes and pictures, they always have each other’s backs in need of support. The bottom line is that they are always there for each other, to depend upon, to count on for.

No doubt, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Jealousy might creep in, there are more arguments as there are a lot of people and everyone would have a different point of view and there is less privacy. But still, large families can teach us important lessons. There are compromises and the necessary patience which one endures while living in a joint family. Not only the financial resources but the parental affection and attention are shared.
On the other hand, children in small families get more attention from their parents. The financial stress and emotional pressure are reduced as fewer kids result in more controllable impact on the budget making both ends to meet easily. Having one or two children to look after allows mothers to pay more attention to the welfare of their children. Parents with a small family get additional time to devote to leisure or work. But growing up in a small family has its own shortcomings. The only child in a small family, devoid of

Parents with a small family get additional time to devote to leisure or work. But growing up in a small family has its own shortcomings. The only child in a small family, devoid of a sibling relationship, would never learn how to share. He/She might have good social skills and make a lot of friends but the steady companionship which a brother or sister gives can not be compared. The major disadvantage of a small family is that the child does not learn to take responsibility. Those with a single child are overprotective parents which do not let the child explore. With no siblings to speak to, the child may face loneliness and slip into depression. If parents are working, there is no one to look after the child in their absence.

In the end, it is about family satisfaction. You can have one or two children and still experience disconnection. On the other hand, you can have a large family and feel love overflowing. So be merry and have fun with your families-big or small.