September 30, 2007
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Narcissistic and Entitled
I was reading an article that was titled “The New Me Generation.” The article described the “me generation” as those born after 1970. We are said to be “narcissistic and entitled.”
We are said to have been “raised on a daily regimen of praise and flattery from their baby boomer parents and from teachers who embraced a self-esteem-boosting curriculum.” Here is the link: Link
Narcissistic: self-centeredness, smugness, egocentrism
Are we narcissistic and entitled?
Comments (100)
I grew up poor so I’ve never felt entitled to things I didn’t work for.
Yes.
Yea, we are because we are all told that we are unique and special….
It creates that attitude….
omg, three is the closest to first ive ever been…. ^.^
For the most part, I can’t say that I disagree. I see it in my kiddos at school…
YES YES YES, you little spoiled twerps!
Though I was born a five years earlier than that, I’d say that this may probably true for the most part. However, it’s quite an accusation to make, when it would depend entirely on where people were raised and what they were subjected to. I don’t think that anything is really universal like that.
In what I see in others.. I have to say yes..
Mostly true
I love me.
And what the hell are you trying to imply here?
A lot of kids are. o_o Some kids, maybe more than others.
Based upon my observations over the last few years … pretty much, yup.
I am pretty humble
sorry Dan that I haven’t been by alot sooner, with everything going on right now I haven’t had much time 
I don’t like to use such a broad generalization on an entire generation. There are many who fit that description, but I think a lot of parents rejected that philosophy and raised well-adjusted, responsible kids. Part of it may depend on where you were raised. I remember being told when I lived in Hawaii – possibly the most liberal state in the U.S. – that I should NEVER tell my child “no” because it would “damage her self-esteem.” I saw so many kids in the military housing neighborhoods raised that way with no boundaries, no consequences for bad behavior and no idea whatsoever that their parents were authority figures. Those kids are physically grown up now, but most of them will probably never grow up emotionally. I’m so glad I ignored that particular parenting fad.
Yes.
In general, perhaps. But not everyone is that way.
This categorization comes from what I call the smug generalization-makers.
Maybe there is a group out there like this, but I consider this to be pure bollocks. Everyone is different. My parents might come from what is known as the “baby boom” generation, but they didn’t come from this country and they didn’t hold these values as far as I’m aware. They taught me far different values than what this article is claiming. There is a huge group of people my age who come from a variety of backgrounds. Making these sweeping generalizations is ridiculous and leaves out a huge group from the targeted population who might go another way.
I once asked a eruditious professor of philosophy what he thought narcissism was. He said it is the absolute description of Lucifer….self serving…self absorbed…self centered. Wow!!
egocentric, definately
No more than our parents. The baby-boomers had the population hump to get their own way. The only reason why Social Security and Health Care is being looked at is because they are now heading into retirement.
I am entiltled so send me money. I need it. I deserve it. My parents told me so.
You are special and unique. Just like everyone else.
You are the star of your own xanga live TV show after all.
Well after reading the article I’d have to agree, it did describe me somewhat. And I did get one of those papers where everyone wrote something good about you !
hi dan
just wanted to drop in and say hi and thanks for stopping by
back to 8 hours tomorrow i think.
Yes. I feel our generation tends to go more and more in that direction.
I don’t know anybody who isn’t.
Yeah, yeah we are.
I’d say we are definitely more self-centered than previous generations. We’re definitely cocky and somewhat overly-confident. We’ve grown up with a humanistic world view that says, “You can do anything if you set your mind to it.” I don’t think that’s true. My dad weighs 300 pounds and is in poor health. No matter how hard he sets his mind to it, he’s not going to be playing for the LA Lakers anytime in the near future… or ever. The “you can do anything” is the feel-good mantra of our generation, and it’s somewhat delusional.
Many are, but that “me me me” attitude manifests itself differently from person to person, and in some perhaps it is not present at all. Making generalizations that entire generations are incapable of compromise and making sacrifices is damaging (and I would argue based on my own experiences and observations, incorrect), though.
I can’t say that I’m part of this population. Especially since i wasn’t raised by these type of parents (mine are immigrant parents, not baby boomers) or teachers =]
Definitely.
I’m the poster child for narcissistic and entitled.
Who Me?
Oh, sure. But I really think it’s just older generations kidding themselves if they think it’s anything new.
yepp.
Baby boomers are just mad because they didn’t think up grunge music.
That is America in a nutshell.
Maybe the stranger will offer me pot the next time.
Of course.
from what i’ve seen i would say that there are certain portions of the population mentioned for whom it is true. however i know i deserve what i’ve worked for so everyone else can suck it!
I would like to think that I am not, but that’s a perfect way to describe him…
Being from the “Baby Boomer” generation I know we live two lives – one of freedom and independence, the other still connected by our parents generation to the depression and the wars. Hard for me to separate them. My girls are all different. Some feel “entitled”, while others are looking for ways to serve. I guess it depends on what you add to the mix.
I thought the whole narcissistic and selfish thing went along with “Borderline Personality Disorder” which comes through a social disorder of children with abandonment issues. I think that dysfunction equates a high percentage of us whose parents had to work and leave us home alone most of the time or come from a single parent family resulting in much the same. What I dont doubt is that is has become almost an epidemic. One thing for sure, they have found is there are no meds that treat this problem.
There tend to be people like that in all generations at least somewhere in the world. The Germans of the WWII era, the Greeks and the Romans of their respective eras. Even the Jews used to be like that around the time of Christ. Everyone has had their arrogant moments.
I think that the general sentiment is true.
on the aggregate: hell, yes!
Only because I’m better than everyone else.
what human do you know regardless of age that isn’t a bit narcissitic every now and again- the question is how well do they manage their impulses- especially when met with rejection? my parents were probably oblivious to that praise and flattery approach- we had other things to deal with… like trying to scrape by after my dad’s accident in 1991..
and as many above have said, it’s a case by case issue, it’s easy to make sweeping generalizations but i know too many mature young people to say that my generation is narcissitic
I am narcissistic by nature only
narcissistic is a lot more indepth than those three words
As a generation, yes.
There must be someone in this generation that isn’t. Or, more than one. But it’s definitely not me … -__-
yes
Were you born in the ’70′s? Something tells me that you’re from the ’60′s era…
It FLOORS me to see how many people actually are… am I? not at all…. (i could use a confidence boost, but that’s another story. I continue to hold my head up with grace and elegance..)
but yeah… it’s horrible… me me me and what i deserve and how you should treat me and how much respect i should get…
Yes, because we’re all unique and special. bah. *shudder*
SOME of us are.. but NOT ME! No way! Never!
Well, I’m somewhat narcissistic and entitled but my children are completely narcissistic and entitled. I’m sure my kids will think their kids are worse, etc., etc…..
Yeah. But I’m from Boston.
AND ELITIST!
absloutly not
Myspace.com
I don’t think that applies to all but I see it a lot especially on campus. But I see it other places and it’s that baby boomer generation that is perpetuating it onto another generation. I see it in how they praise mediocrity and facilitate it…
Oh yeah – because the self-titled “Greatest Generation” is obviously humble and others centered. They didn’t wait to enter WWII until they were attacked despite a monster running armies across Europe. The so-called “Me generation” is just more vocal about a human obsession with self.
That being said, there is an unhealthy loss of self-discipline, duty, and honor. I know people who fit the bill of what they’re describing with the “Me” tag but I also know guys risking their lives for their country and the freedom of another.
Narcissistic? Yes. But also one of the most depressed generations ever, with an epidemic of suicide, cutting, eating disorders, etc.
I never had a Magic Circle game. Maybe it kind of explains my low self-esteem.
Not.
I for one missed that year when I was born. Next time my birthday rolls around, and I actually get
$1000 dollar’s worth of shoes… I will proudly say I am a
narcissistic bitch. And demand my entitled ass more Jimmy Choo’s. Damn
right.
I was born in 1974 and personally I’m not narcissistic. However, considering the 80′s was the decade of decadence and it’s just gotten worse since then… overall… yes, my generation is narcissistic
imho and as one of the baby boomers I would say that over all that it is true, but it is important to realize the generation is not hatched out of a egg it is because we of the” baby boomer generation” were so screwed up and rebelling from “anything & everything” that tried to put holds or rules on us the next generation didn’t have much of a chance..
I hope boomers are allowed to post on here :0)
People have always been narcissistic and entitled. It’s in our nature. It takes a certain amount of self-interest just to survive. This generation isn’t any different from the last I don’t think. I’ve been meeting a lot of really cool kids lately though. It makes me hopeful that maybe there’s a change coming. Most of the people I went to high school and college with were selfish shits.
“I thought the whole narcissistic and selfish thing went along with “Borderline Personality Disorder” which comes through a social disorder of children with abandonment issues. I think that dysfunction equates a high percentage of us whose parents had to work and leave us home alone most of the time or come from a single parent family resulting in much the same. What I dont doubt is that is has become almost an epidemic. One thing for sure, they have found is there are no meds that treat this problem.” Rosie1268
With all due respect those who truely have Borderline Personality Disorder, like I do, are not narcissistic. In fact it’s quite the opposite. I suggest you educate yourself on the subject here http://www.borderlinepersonalitytoday.com/main/dsmiv.htm It’s the DSM-IV criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder.
yes
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oh yeah.
ps: you’re awesome. I love your posts.
But doesn’t the argument hold that we have always been like this? Thomas Hobbes, the philosopher, stated that man was narcassic, that our lives are ‘nasty, brutal and short’. So, almost by defult, we are narcassic.
’nuff said…
Many of us, yes.
Clearly, my opinion is very important on this matter because I’m great and all, so I’d have to say…no. Not in the slightest.
Just kidding!
Yes and it’s annoying. It’s terrible to have to have to go to school with a shitload of kids who all think they’re the greatest things in the world…it’s rough. Thankfully I’m free now.
I did raise my daughter that way and she turned out just fine.
As a rule yes.
Now about the self-esteem boosting curriculum, my self esteem was always lower when the curriculum was designed to improve our self-esteem. I had very low self-esteem until I got to sophomore and junior year of high school and taking hard classes where the teachers didn’t give a shit what you felt like they only wanted you to do the homework.
That’s so general! I grew up really poor and have been working really hard to build up self esteem.
i think most people in the world are narcissistic and entitled regardless of their location or generation.
I don’t think we’re any more narcissistic than any other generation, and maybe we’re less so because of the way the world is shrinking with technology in communication. Oh, not to mention that our generation is getting fed up with all the narrow-mindedness of previous generations and we are now seeking more news sources and standing behind more environmental and humanitarian efforts in order to combat all this crap everyone says about “spoiled americans.” oh yeah, we are soooo in love with ourselves and the people before us were soooooo giving.
most definitely.
I think that year should be raised to about 1985 or 1990.
My friends and I all had to use our imaginations as kids…. and I have never been jobless since 15 years old. Just so that I could have “cool” clothes and such.
Entitled? Not really. I had to earn my keep.
Yes
In some ways, things have changed, basically there are many things still the same.
Maybe some are, but not all. I get so sick of hearing older people talk about how rotten my generation is, though. Yes, some of us (just like people from other generations) are selfish and entitled, but there are also plenty of young people who do community service and are active in causes that are important to them. I get tired of people assuming I’m spoiled and selfish just because I happened to be born in the 1980s and not getting to know me as a person before they make those assumptions. I get sick of being treated like an idiot before I even say or do anything.
The self esteem movement ended up doing more harm than good, though. Just look at all the untalented people who try out for American Idol because no one wanted to hurt their self esteem and tell them they didn’t have musical talent. And also, when you’re told all the time how wonderful you are, how are you supposed to know when it’s true and when it’s just someone trying to make you feel good? Praise really does lose it’s meaning when it’s given out too freely and I think it just ends up making people insecure in the end, which is the exact opposite of what they intended.
In general, yes, we are. But there are always people or at least moments where we don’t feel like the world revolves around us. For example, when we’re with people we love, we tend to put them ahead of us.
I’m with the people who are against such sweeping generalizations.
but i think were all a little self-entitled, even if we never admit to it outloud. If we weren’t, we all would be cowering blobs of insecurity depriving ourselves of our needs.
Look at who most of our parents were, then ask yourself that question again.
I love how the link describes it in a positive light but you take it to the negative. And they follow you like lambs to the slaughter. Perhaps you, Dan, were born after 1970?
I’m a genius too.
of what i see id say yes! and its our fault…being a baby boomer. I didnt spoil my kids but i wanted them to have more then i ever did…easier life… finding out later that easier isnt better…i do have great kids though
sadly, yeah.
i think a big population is – yes.while we’re not all rich i do think that engrained in culture is the thinking to desire certain things, want it now, have it now (e.g. credit cards, payment schemes, new technologies, having assets and the ‘latest’). i think that generally things like giving, and self-sacrifice, focusing on others and building others up (as opposed to egocentrism) go against the main culture. amidst all this shallow self-centeredness i think that people are rightfully searching for their true value and something to make their life mean something. but i do think true contentment would partly come from us looking out for each other rather than focusing on ‘what we can get out of it’. we’re all guilty of that, i know… part of human egocentrism, i guess… not necessarily just these generations. tho they were prolly disguised behind other traditional values, manners and money restrictions?
This is why my kids have to be half Asian, and preferably my wife was born and raised in Asia. Awww you did good? You wanna cookie because you are such a beautiful and unique flower?
Do BETTER.
Yes. We could get away from that by being servants to other people who need it…but we choose not to, for the most part.
no, people don’t know hat theyare talking about, manhas always like that.
Fuck them.
Yes. The whole “self-esteem boost” was taken to the extreme, and now there is no such thing as discipline.