I was at a meeting today and one of the speaker, who was in is mid 50's, said "I am thankful for the things I do not deserve" . I don't think this is a statement that would come out of a normal twenty year olds mouth today. There seems to be a greater sense of entitlement in today's youth.
I don't think this inflated sense of self importance can be blamed on just one thing, there are many factors that could have helped in inflating their egos including but not limited social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and online dating sites), participation awards, preventing kids from failing. We keep telling kids you are important when in reality, they are no more important the anyone else. In all likelihood one person will not change the world on their own.
I can see this difference in self importance between my little sister, she just turned 21, she has grown up with social media and the other things mentioned above, when she does not get her way the world knows. We go to dinner where she wants to go, make what she wants for dinner and make seating arrangements around where she wants to sit. When these things don't happen she sees it as a personal attack and expects an apology from whoever she feels has wronged her.
I think part of the problem is the enabling process. We don't want to hear that ear-splitting whine anymore, so we give in (lest our brains explode upon attempting to consider how selfish one person can be). Growing up, my sister also got the best of everything, leaving the rest of us out of the loop - and as an adult, she has absolutely no idea how to take care of herself or her child. My mother still does what she can to take care of a 28-year old who can't even find herself a job… it's an embarrassing result of her getting what she wants and not what she needs.
ReplyDeleteSooner or later reality will hit home. The old "my way or no way" attitude will eventually take it's toll as it does with everyone. I think the older you are, the harder it becomes to change your ways and personal views of life. Adapting seems to be easier if you learn it as you go. I think the children that have been spoiled or catered to will have harsh blows which can leave them in a vulnerable state compared to the child who has already learned some of life's lessons at a younger age.
ReplyDeleteKid's do seem to feel they are entitled to fair treatment versus looking at others around the globe in terms of those less fortunate in this day and age. I think the main problem is "out of sight, out of mind". When we don't see the whole picture relating to a problem, we will be less likely to find alternate solutions. American children do not appear to realize how lucky they are, to live here and have the choices they have.