Where did all this entitlement come from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been telling generations of kids that they are super special, smart, can do and be anything. We made them believe that their confidence is what mattered and not their hard work and skills. We failed them because, of course, that is not true for the vast majority of them. And now we have a couple of generations of adults who are extremely entitled.

I hear what you’re saying, but I keep seeing these kids who self-promote, cheat, cut corners, get rewarded time and time again.

Their efforts get them high grades, they get into good universities, they win awards.

Because they keep getting rewarded, they continue the behavior.

Kids who do work honestly, don’t cheat, don’t self promote seem to lose - they don’t an A, the teacher doesn’t fawn over them, their college applications aren’t “sterling” etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been telling generations of kids that they are super special, smart, can do and be anything. We made them believe that their confidence is what mattered and not their hard work and skills. We failed them because, of course, that is not true for the vast majority of them. And now we have a couple of generations of adults who are extremely entitled.

I hear what you’re saying, but I keep seeing these kids who self-promote, cheat, cut corners, get rewarded time and time again.

Their efforts get them high grades, they get into good universities, they win awards.

Because they keep getting rewarded, they continue the behavior.

Kids who do work honestly, don’t cheat, don’t self promote seem to lose - they don’t an A, the teacher doesn’t fawn over them, their college applications aren’t “sterling” etc.

This is true. Nice guys finish last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hate to get political but look at our President……

Unfortunately our young as well as impressionable kids are viewing him as a role model which scares me to death.

But I think even adults are taking a page out of his rule book.

Our President acts entitled all the time (and he gets away w/it!)
So of course then society is influenced which is unfortunate.

That plus the billionaire class- to keep it from being political.
They literally think that they are better and they should not be shamed for enjoying their lifestyle. There's a whole progression of Jeff Bezos that will fascinate anthropologists. Rather than being introspective or humbled they are indignant to be questioned and literally think they are above the law, any law.

They ARE above the law.

[Anonymous]

Pretty simple really. Up until the 1950s, America was an offer a hand up society. In the 1960s the Great Society started a perpetual hand out society for the poor. Then in the 1970s we introduced the participation trophy society to the middle class. Now everyone feels entitled for one reason or another.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pretty simple really. Up until the 1950s, America was an offer a hand up society. In the 1960s the Great Society started a perpetual hand out society for the poor. Then in the 1970s we introduced the participation trophy society to the middle class. Now everyone feels entitled for one reason or another.

This. Every family regardless of income now feels entitled to a luxury car, a trip to Disney, name brand new clothing. They feel entitled to win, to be first, to not have to discipline their children, to not be told they are bad parents, to not be told to sit down, be quiet and wait. They think the fire lane is their personal parking space and the restaurant or waiting room is their family room and their kids should put their feet up and watch their iPad out loud. They don’t think anyone can “tell them what to do.” The amount of students who come to school behaving like the teacher is not in charge of them is appalling. And then you meet the parents and it all makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Constantly telling kids they're special.

The problem with this type of comment is that I have a kid who I love and shower with attention but yet they are one of the most gentle, kind and thoughtful people that I know. This can’t be the reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP and PPs, everyone but you and yours, right?

Um, correct. I do not cut around people waiting to make their turn, and I follow the rules of the road, such as waiting for oncoming traffic to pass before making my left turn. What's your point?

Funny how this has never happened to me? If you find yourself in this situation so often then there must be a reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a woman screaming at me when I was the first car in the pick up line for an activity. One activity ends and the next one starts immediately after so there is a mess of cars dropping off and picking up. I didn't start at the front but after the first car or two left I was eventually first. She thought this was a drop off line only and freaked out that I wasn't moving. I think of her fondly every time I'm in the pick up lane wondering where she's dropping off.

Also I know that people like her would never dare yell at a man but she felt entitled to be rude (and wrong) to another woman. I gather she has figured out the system now.

You don’t think that Women yell at Men?! You must be living under a rock.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trumpification of America

You are the problem if you believe this is the route and only cause. Did he make it better, no. But this happens on both sides of the aisle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been telling generations of kids that they are super special, smart, can do and be anything. We made them believe that their confidence is what mattered and not their hard work and skills. We failed them because, of course, that is not true for the vast majority of them. And now we have a couple of generations of adults who are extremely entitled.

I hear what you’re saying, but I keep seeing these kids who self-promote, cheat, cut corners, get rewarded time and time again.

Their efforts get them high grades, they get into good universities, they win awards.

Because they keep getting rewarded, they continue the behavior.

Kids who do work honestly, don’t cheat, don’t self promote seem to lose - they don’t an A, the teacher doesn’t fawn over them, their college applications aren’t “sterling” etc.

This is true. Nice guys finish last.

I see it over and over. Fake it til you make it.
A guy at work was a failed medical student (didnt get into med school anywhere so went overseas, and then didn’t get residency anywhere due to some sort of sex scandal). Not to worry! He charmed some random elderly doctor he met who was of the same ethnicity until the doctor pulled strings and got him into our hospitals program. Dropped that doctor like a hot potato once he got what he wanted. Cheating on his wife left and right. Now he’s almost done with residency well on his way to $$$.

[Anonymous]

There's no more interest in community pride, it's everyone for themselves now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's no more interest in community pride, it's everyone for themselves now.

+1. I served on the board of a neighborhood recreational association for five years, and the absolute self-serving entitlement I saw from my neighbors was insane. The same people who expected volunteer board members to drop everything to help them at a moments notice could not be bothered to volunteer themselves.