Narcissism is on the rise with the younger generation!

Ralphy1

Ralphy1

Well-known Member
According to a study reported on NPR parents are to blame. In an effort to make sure that their kids have it all they have made these kids see themselves as special and, thus, better than others. From my observations of youngsters today, I would say this makes sense and, of course, these are white middle class children. What are you seeing.
 

I have two little grandchildren and my daughter is big on telling her children how much she loves them, how wonderful and loving they are, how special, etc., but it's never in the context of comparing them to others. Never 'you are so much more special than other kids' or things like that.

Do you know if that study showed that those parents are actually comparing their children to other kids or just saying how special and great their kids are?
 
It is pretty much just telling their children which makes them islands of narcissism that only think about themselves...
 

I raised my son to think of himself as a worthy individual. Far from making him narcisistic, a sense of self worth has also given him a sense of accountability, and a desire to help others. He has leadership ability, and always ends up in a supervisory position in his work environment. He has been best friends with a boy since fourth grade. Narcissistic, I don't think so, and I had a mother that was!
 
I did the same with my girls (as my daughter does with her kids) and I think there's a difference in telling your kids how special they are compared to others and how special they simply are. Because we are all special and unique.
 
I think narcissism in general is on the rise in this instant gratification society. Personally if one is 50 or under they stand a better chance of being a narcissist or exhibiting narcissistic behavior because of advances and technology and medicine which made their formative years a lot easier. Wether it's drugs or technology it fuels narcissism because it leads to a sense of entitlement because get what they want when they want it. Then people get frustrated when they don't get what they want because of ridiculous expectations. Then we get into anger management issues because of frustration of getting stymied. Since you have several generations that have not learned how endure or take their time they can't cope-pity party.

The size, speed and capability of technology has helped lead to instant gratification even if it's one not having to find a pay phone or going to the library using a card catalogue. Medical technology has given not only pain killers but quicker fixes thus the patient has not had to endure. Not saying we need to bring back polio or blood letting but too many see a pill and procedure as an immediate solution to their ills.

I blame it on instant gratification
 
Wow, WhatInThe, I think we inhabit different worlds. I will only speak to a small portion of my experience. I have a millennial son. He went to university,partially on student loans, but neede to work to finance the rest. As a result, a four year degree took six and a half years to complete. He is paying $450.00 per month on said loans. His wife is attending law school, at an added cost of over sixty grand over the price of her original degree. She also works to supplement her loan. They have wisely chosen to postpone having a family until they are completely settled into their chosen careers. There is no culture of entitlement/narcissism here. Instant gratification no, self-discipline, yes. I suspect this is an all too familiar story. I am very proud of my children.
 
Shalimar said:
Wow, WhatInThe, I think we inhabit different worlds. I will only speak to a small portion of my experience. I have a millennial son. He went to university,partially on student loans, but neede to work to finance the rest. As a result, a four year degree took six and a half years to complete. He is paying $450.00 per month on said loans. His wife is attending law school, at an added cost of over sixty grand over the price of her original degree. She also works to supplement her loan. They have wisely chosen to postpone having a family until they are completely settled into their chosen careers. There is no culture of entitlement/narcissism here. Instant gratification no, self-discipline, yes. I suspect this is an all too familiar story. I am very proud of my children.
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That's good. The entire age bracket I mention isn't messed up BUT most of the narcissists, addicts, alcoholics I know are in that bracket. Sounds like you raised your son right and he had good influences.

I blame it on the sniffer head 80s because that's when drug use went from experimentation & parties to a way of life for many. The 80s was the introduction of the computer, the Walkman to carry the music you wanted around with you, smaller and quicker electronics. The 1980s brought the mass infestation of cable tv, again more instant gratification not having to wait for one day a week to see a show.

It's just to easy now for kids and adults to morph into narcissists and/or narcissistic behavior especially with poor environmental influences
 
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder-symptoms/

Narcissistic Personality Disorder - its a mental condition and I believe it has nothing to do with kids today, it has been around for eons and is most prevalent in adult males, according the above documentation.

In my opinion raising a child in a kind and loving environment, giving him/her praise, encouragement, material comforts and a healthy sense of self worth is not going to produce this mental disorder or narcissists but is more likely to produce well adjusted healthy adults.
 
Cookie said:
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder-symptoms/

Narcissistic Personality Disorder - its a mental condition and I believe it has nothing to do with kids today, it has been around for eons and is most prevalent in adult males, according the above documentation.

In my opinion raising a child in a kind and loving environment, giving him/her praise, encouragement, material comforts and a healthy sense of self worth is not going to produce this mental disorder or narcissists but is more likely to produce well adjusted healthy adults.
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Thanks

Sense of grandiosity sums it up best. I also hear a lot more about affluenza. But it comes down to an unwieldly sense of entitlement.

A lot of these pycho babble terms are a nice way to sum up or describe behavior but it's not always a mental condition or illness either. It's just a pattern of behavior. Behavior can be changed. Attitude can be changed. A way of life can be changed. Expectations can be changed and replaced with reasonable goals. The dream is frequently over sold.

Some say life is not all about success it's about how one reacts to failure. Too many are not reacting to failure in a good way in that they don't use it as a lesson or motivation. They just whine and harp about how they didn't get what they want and how things "should" be. The people I know who constantly harp about how things "should" be are the ones having some of the most difficulty in life.
 
Whatever, I want that new $10,000 apple watch, I deserve it? I'm going to get it and I'm going to take pics and display on facebook come my birthday, that will show ya, how worthy I am. :playful:

Be sure to promise one to the kiddies, be they tot or teetering on mid-life, for being the perfect specimens they are come Christmas this year now. Anything under $1000 and those kids will let you know they feel you don't think much of them and "you're not worthy."
 
I want... I deserve... I am

There is no I in team silly.

;)

"I" start hearing lots of I's "I" can analyze a person pretty quick or easy. If "I" opinionate on their unsolicited opinions "I" am considered judgemental.

Wait a minute. "I" can't seem to stop using the letter I
 
There is a book out on this subject that I have been trying to get hold of for some time. It's called "The Life of I" by Anne Manne.

The Life of I: The new culture of narcissism

by Anne Manne

Anne Manne's book shows the destructive elements of narcissism at work in a culture obsessed with itself.


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High Res Cover Image


Far from being the work of a madman, Anders Breivik's murderous rampage in Norway was the action of an extreme narcissist. As the dead lay around him, he held up a finger asking for a Band-Aid.

Written with the pace of a psychological thriller, The Life of I is a compelling account of the rise of narcissism in individuals and society. Manne examines the Lance Armstrong doping scandal and the alarming rise of sexual assaults in sport and the military, as well as the vengeful killings of Elliot Rodger in California. She looks at narcissism in the pursuit of fame and our obsession with 'making it'.

She goes beyond the usual suspects of social media and celebrity culture to the deeper root of the issue: how a new narcissistic character-type is being fuelled by a cult of the self and the pursuit of wealth in a hypercompetitive consumer society.

The Life of I also offers insights from the latest work in psychology, looking at how narcissism develops. But Manne also shows that there is an alternative: how to transcend narcissism, to be fully alive to the presence of others; how to create a world where love and care are no longer turned inward.
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I heard it being discussed on the radio. I should get a copy from an online supplier because local book sellers don't seem to stock it.
 
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