One and Done: Celebrities Who Have “Just” One Child

The decision to have one child – or none at all – is becoming increasingly common. In fact, about 20% of households with children are one-child families. Having just one child is the fastest-growing family size. There are many reasons people have one child versus two or more, and a growing number of celebrities are open about their decision to embrace a smaller family. 

As a mom of an only child, I’m excited to share some of the reasons for and benefits of having one child, along with some celebrities who stopped at one.

Reasons people have one child

There are a lot of reasons people have one child, some by choice and others by circumstance. The most common reasons include:

Personal fulfillment  

Many people feel that one child is the right fit for their personality and desires. Debra Messing described it, "I think that there are certain women who are built to have five, six children and are able to multitask and handle the sort of innate chaos of having lots and lots of kids. I know myself, and I'm not built that way."

There's no "right" number of children, and it's okay to choose what feels best for you.

Financial Considerations

The financial responsibilities of raising a child can be daunting. For many families, ensuring they can provide adequate resources for their child's education, healthcare, and future is a top priority. Having one child can allow parents to invest more in their child's well-being without stretching their finances thin.

Infertility

For some people, the path to parenthood isn't straightforward. As Amy Schumer, who had her son through IVF, shared on Chelsea Handler’s podcast, "So we're gonna have just one child and we're just enjoying our little family and I'm just focusing on that. I'm excited about it but I was sad. And it's not really something you get sympathy for because it's like, you already have one bitch, shut up. But you know, that's a real struggle people go through."

Infertility can be a difficult and emotional experience, but it doesn't diminish the love and joy that comes with raising one child. Schumer reminds us of the often unspoken grief that can accompany infertility, even when a family already has a child.

Loss of a partner or divorce

Life's unexpected turns, such as the loss of a partner or a divorce, can significantly impact family planning decisions. For some, the experience of raising a child alone or the emotional toll of loss might lead to the decision to focus on the well-being of their existing child rather than expanding their family.

Lifestyle

A person’s lifestyle and desire to be fully present for a child are both valid factors in deciding to have one child. Some individuals recognize that their lifestyle or career choice might not be conducive to raising multiple children and choose to focus their energy on one. Sofia Vergara told Vanity Fair, “I didn't think because of my career, the way I live my life, the way my marriage was, that it was fair to bring a kid to this world, and I'm not going to be able to give 100 percent." 

Environmental impact

Growing concerns about climate change and the planet's future have prompted many individuals to consider the environmental impact of having children. By choosing to have one child or none, some people feel they are making a conscious choice to reduce their ecological footprint and contribute to a sustainable future.

FAQ on the one-child life

As a mom with “only” one child, I get a lot of questions from people curious about this path. Here are some of the things I’m most often asked.

Q: Is it okay to have just one kid?

A: Absolutely!  Having one child is a valid and fulfilling choice for many people. There's no "magic number" of children that guarantees happiness or success.  What matters most is choosing a family size that feels right for you and your unique circumstances.

Q: Does a child need a sibling?

A: While siblings can offer companionship and fun, many only children thrive without them. Friends, cousins, and classmates can all offer deep relationships and bonds and the opportunity to develop strong social skills. Happy and unhappy families come in all shapes and sizes.

Q: Is a single child lonely?

A: The stereotype of the lonely, isolated only child is largely a myth. Most single children are well-adjusted and have active social lives. Some research suggests that only children may have stronger social skills and be more adaptable due to their increased interaction with adults.

Q: Are parents happier with just one child?

A: Happiness is subjective, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. However, some studies have suggested that parents of only children may experience lower levels of stress and higher levels of marital satisfaction compared to parents with multiple children.

Q: Are there benefits to having only one child?

A: Yes! There are many potential benefits for both parents and children, including:

• Stronger parent-child bonds
• More individualized attention for the child
• Increased resources and opportunities for the child
• Reduced financial stress for parents
• Greater flexibility and less overall parenting stress
  

Q: How common is it to have only one child?

A: Families with one child are becoming increasingly common. In the United States, for example, the percentage of women who have one child has been steadily rising over the past few decades and now makes up 1 in 5 families with children. This trend is mirrored in many other countries as well.

Celebrities who chose to have one child

Since 20% of people with children have one child, as you can imagine there are a lot of celebrity moms and celebrity dads with one child!

• Amy Adams 
• Amy Schumer
• Alicia Keys
• Bill Clinton
• Bradley Cooper
• Calista Flockhart
• Cameran Eubanks
• Channing Tatum
• Connie Britton
• Courteney Cox
• David Letterman
• David Schwimmer
• Debra Messing
• Diane Kruger
• Drake
• Elvis Presley
• Hillary Clinton
• Ice-T
• Jacqueline Piñol
• Janet Jackson
• Jennifer Hudson
• Jenny McCarthy
• Jeremy Renner
• John Stamos
• Kate Beckinsale
• Kate Moss
• Katie Holmes
• Lenny Kravitz
• Lisa Kudrow
• ​​Martha Stewart
• Matt LeBlanc
• Michelle Williams
• Salma Hayek
• Sofia Vergara
• Taraji P. Henson
• Tyra Banks
• Wendy Williams
• Whoopi Goldberg
  
  

Normalizing the choice to have one child

Whether you're a celebrity or not, the decision to have one child is a valid and fulfilling one. It's time we move away from the outdated notion that only children are lonely or spoiled.  By embracing the diversity of family structures, we create a more inclusive and supportive society for all parents and children.