Posted on 04/23/2009 5:52:37 PM PDT by markomalley
Growing up, my literary heroines were those who, like me, struggled to be good: Jo from "Little Women," Harriet the spy, Laura Ingalls and Pippi Longstocking. A strong-willed (and loud) child, I craved examples of unruly knuckleheads tethered to a loving family that encouraged us to be our best selves despite our natural inclinations. Precocious but naive, I thought of myself as an ugly duckling—misunderstood in my youth but destined for a beauty and stature completely impossible for my loved ones to comprehend. I shudder to think what a monster I would have become in the modern child-rearing era. Gorged on a diet of grade inflation, constant praise and materialistic entitlement, I probably would have succumbed to a life of heedless self- indulgence.
(snip)
Indeed, when Twenge addressed students at Southern Connecticut State University a couple weeks back, their generation's narcissism was taken as a given by her audience. The fact that nearly 10 percent of 20-somethings have already experienced symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder, compared with just over 3 percent of the 65-and-over set? Not surprising. That 30 percent of college students agree with the statement: "If I show up to every class, I deserve at least a B"? Didn't get much of a rise either. When they're faced with the straight-out question—do you agree with this research, that you guys are the most narcissistic generation ever—there are uniform head nods and knowing grins to each other. "At the end of the day I love me and I don't think that's wrong," says Sharise Tucker, a 21-year-old senior at Southern Connecticut State, a self-professed narcissist. "I don't think it's a problem, having most people love themselves. I love me."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
And it’s going to keep getting worse, contestants on “American Idol” are better vetted than our current president and his cabinet.
Walk by almost any group of girls talking on campus and every other word is the F-word. But utter the N-word once, and they will be all over you for using such filthy language in front of them!
Generation me: The generation that voted in Obamanation.
“Newsweek Author Projects Self-Image”
Once I heard a preacher say that
each time one uses the first person pronouns,
one draws themselves a little further from God
I am convinced that the overwhelming narcissism of this age is due to a profound deterioration in a sense of Gratitude in this generation.
In truth, O judges, while I wish to be adorned with every virtue, yet there is nothing which I can esteem more highly than the being and appearing grateful. For this one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.
Cicero
This year I helped my brother coach his 9 year old son’s basketball team. The team was terrible and lost every single game. My brother and I were both surprised when the parents brought trophies for the whole team to the pizza party. I don’t have a problem with trophies but I think they lose their luster when they are awarded for no reason.
It may get worse, but not in the same direction. A house of cards can only be built so high. America cannot support American as it is currently constructed. These 'children' are in for a rude awakening.
Kids who are taught the truth about winning and losing will be in much better shape when they get out in the real world.
I agree.
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