This section has some of the articles written by Dr Bernice Sorensen as well as others by different authors. If you have read any other useful articles please send to
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Published by Palgrave in 2008
This book presents accounts of the experience of growing up without siblings across the world. These stories offer a range of only-child voices which speak of the challenges and differences only-children face throughout their lives. The stories were collected through interviews and this website and they give witness to the lives of adult onlies. The complexity and multidimensional nature of the private, personal and public worlds of the only-child are discussed from a social and psychological perspective. The book also offers important insights for people in the helping professions working with child and adult only-children. Above all the book demonstrates the importance of witnessing and existential validation for only-children whilst providing understanding to help guide parents and partners of only-children.
CONTENTS: Introduction
Part One: Transcending the Stereotypes The Politics of the Only Child The Research Framework Co-Researchers' Stories Only-Child Voices
Part two: A Multiplicity of Voices Research Data and the World Wide Web Stories from China and Taiwan Life-Stories Life-Stages
Part Three: Implications for Therapy An Only-Child Archetype: A Folk-Tale The Only-Child Matrix Gathering the Threads
If you are interested in buying a signed copy of the 'Only-Child Experience and Adulthood' book, the cheapest way is Amazon but you can also borrow it from any library.
About the book: 'Only-Child Experience and Adulthood'
This book presents accounts of the experience of growing up without siblings across the world. These stories offer a range of only-child voices which speak of the challenges and differences only-children face throughout their lives. The stories were collected through interviews and this website and they give witness to the lives of adult onlies. The complexity and multidimensional nature of the private, personal and public worlds of the only-child are discussed from a social and psychological perspective. The book also offers important insights for people in the helping professions working with child and adult only-children. Above all the book demonstrates the importance of witnessing and existential validation for only-children whilst providing understanding to help guide parents and partners of only-children.
CONTENTS: Introduction
Part One: Transcending the Stereotypes The Politics of the Only Child The Research Framework Co-Researchers' Stories Only-Child Voices
Part two: A Multiplicity of Voices Research Data and the World Wide Web Stories from China and Taiwan Life-Stories Life-Stages
Part Three: Implications for Therapy An Only-Child Archetype: A Folk-Tale The Only-Child Matrix Gathering the Threads