Only children: selfish, spoilt and unsociable are just a few of the words that come to mind. As an only child myself, I’ve always wondered why the more complex reality isn’t discussed and what bearing my upbringing as an ”only” has on my personal relationships.

At a recent girls’ night out, our group of six consisted of singles, attached women and cohabitees. The coincidence wasn’t that none of us was married, but that all of us shared a feeling that friendships with married friends are problematic. Marriage is a licence for them to comment on our lifestyles.