Don’t you think that some of us overestimate our entitlement?

As I go through life, I become more aware of the growing need and requirement of Entitlement. I have the impression that children are raised now with the spirit of entitlement. Adults try to “catch up” with their desire of Entitlement and either demand a lot more than what is proper to be truly Entitled to.

Let’s look into it: in our society children cannot be seriously punished because they will be (God forbid) stressed and frustrated which brings anger and - potentially - paves the road to criminal or other kinds of dangerous behavior. As a result, children receive toys and other gifts anytime parents feel they have “abused” their child. Basically - parents buy their child’s acceptance, silence and/or forgiveness.

On the other hand, adults who mostly have lived a very restricted life, pick up on that same concept and feel and behave as if they are entitled to almost everything. I.e. drivers drive like the roads have been build for them exclusively; so forget pedestrians, forget other cars; me, me, me! In stores, people do not pay attention or apologize for bumping into another person because they only care about reaching their destinations etc, etc, etc.

It is all so strange, since - on the other hand - children are taught to say: “Thank you” and “I am sorry”. How is it that we forget soo quickly? Why all is it that of a sudden the other human beings have become worthless and trumpery?

It may be because our children live in a dualistic and contradictory world. On one hand, they apologize for everything and on the other hand, they become killers in computer games. On one hand, they behave properly are “seen but not heard” and, on the other, they are left alone with “electronic babysitters” spending hours at the front of TV or computer screen while adults are busy with their own “stuff”.

Maybe we should think about “the time in between?” What happens with our young generation between waking up and going to sleep? How much time do we, adults, spend talking with our children and playing games with them or reading them books and taking them places like to museums or theatres? One may say that it is soo expensive now. I would say: go to your child’s room and summarize the cost of all violent computer games that they have. I am sure those two will equal out in terms of money spent.

We all know what children need ~ love. Why is it soo hard to give it to them? Why can’t we lead by example, we the adult being truly loving, filled with light, grace and appreciation? Maybe then our children will feel grateful and appreciative instead of Entitled.

This quote from Plato comes to mind: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light”.