Generation Me - A new book says we're in a narcissism epidemic. Why you're not so special.
Perhaps, one day, we will say that the recession saved us from a parenting ethos that churns out ego-addled spoiled brats. And though it is too soon to tell if our economic free fall will cure America of its sense of economic privilege, it has made it much harder to get the money together to give our kids six-figure sweet-16 parties and plastic surgery for graduation presents, all in the name of "self esteem."
And that's a good thing, because as Jean Twenge and W. Keith Campbell point out in their excellent book "The Narcissism Epidemic," released last week, we've built up the confidence of our kids, but in that process, we've created a generation of hot-house flowers puffed with a disproportionate sense of self-worth (the definition of narcissism) and without the resiliency skills they need when Mommy and Daddy can't fix something.
You know we've all seen this kind of behavior at the workplace, shopping, or even just amongst our peers. But is it right to judge a whole group of persons based on the actions of others? Want to know more? Catch the article in the April 27, 2009 Newsweek magazine and feel free to blog in and tell me your thoughts to this point.
Ever try to give one of these kids the real grade they deserve for half the work the do on class assignments? Just try and you'll get a call from their parents telling you how great their child is and how WRONG you are. I'm so glad for the recession in that it's providing a clear SMACK in the face for these kinds of people.
ReplyDeleteOh YES YES YES I agree with you Cally and I hope it's a wake up call to these younger ones.
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