I don't think its right for parents to force kids to go to parties etc they don't want to. I as a very shy, self-conscious child, and I think my mom felt bad as I didn't have a lot of friends, etc. Honestly, I'd rather stick my nose in a book than interact with hoards of kids, but I think she felt I was somehow missing out.
So she tried to get me involved in activities etc. to bring me out of my shell, but I can't say I really enjoyed any of them all that much. Also, my mom had a second cousin who was her age; they were literally 3 weeks apart in age. Both only children, so kind of like sisters, even though they didn't see each other that often.
My mom had me, and my aunt (as we called her) had 3, one close to my age. My mom always tried to get me to be friendly with my cousin, etc. even though she really was NOT a nice person. selfish, rude, entitled ,etc. But I think mom wanted us to be as close as she was with her mom. So I spent some time with them, but was miserable a lot of it.
FF to adulthood. My aunt has since passed away, and I am very close to her oldest daughter, who is only 3 years older than me, but as kids, it was a big difference so we weren't close at all. she has told my mom stories about her sister etc. and my mom finally gets why I never wanted to spend time with her, or was close to her. And she said "why didn't you tell me?" Um I did, but you didn't see it. She feels bad, but I told her its in the past, no lasting scars, so not a big deal. But sometimes kids know more than the adults think they do!