Where in this spectrum does the young generation fall (age 15-30)? I'd argue that many people from this age group are not as mentally strong as their parents. They have a sense of entitlement and they lack gratitude.
There has been too much of "entitlement talk" for this generation and therefore let's try and break this down and see if it is true for this group of youngsters.
A sense of entitlement refers to the belief that one
deserves certain privileges, benefits, or special treatment, without
necessarily having earned them. This can manifest in different ways, such as
expecting others to cater to one's needs, feeling deserving of success or
recognition without putting in the necessary effort, or feeling that the rules
don't apply to oneself.
A person with a sense of entitlement may feel that they are
entitled to certain opportunities, resources, or advantages, simply because of
who they are, rather than because of their skills, qualifications, or hard
work. This can lead to a lack of appreciation for others' efforts, a lack of
empathy or understanding of others' perspectives, and a tendency to take things
for granted.
It's worth noting that not all desires for fairness or
recognition are signs of entitlement. Rather, a sense of entitlement refers to
an excessive or unwarranted belief in one's own deservingness, which can create
problems in relationships, work environments, and other social contexts.
The young generation has excessive choices and things have come easy to them. They didn't have to try hard to get it. And therefore when they do not get what they think they deserve they get irritated, angry, stressed or depressed. They want life to happen in a certain way. In fact they have an exact map of what they expect from life. They become control freaks at an early age when they should learn to be agile and adaptable. They have to learn the cause and effect phenomenon through trial and error. They do not throw themselves into the world to understand that when they do 'x' then 'y' will happen. And without the 'x' the 'y' cannot manifest. As Bruce Willis says in the movie 'Die Hard' - "Someone has to do it...". For now the x is done by their parents and the youngsters are getting the 'y'. It gets hard for them to understand that if they want something then they will have to work hard to get it. This reality stares them in their face when they get into the professional world after university. Life hits them at 100 mph. And then they feel that life is not fair.
I think part of the blame goes to the parents who over-protected their kids. It is the duty of parents to expose their children to the real world at an early age and instill a healthy work ethic in them. This automatically generates gratitude because now one can see the value of what they are getting.
Parents can adopt a number of activities and approaches -
1. Travelling exposes them to this wonderful world and can broaden their understanding of different cultures and lifestyles.
2. Encouraging children to interact with people from different backgrounds, such as through community events or social clubs, can help them learn about different cultures and develop empathy for others.
3. Involving them in household chores (including cooking, gardening) makes them feel a part of the 'home team'.
4. Encouraging them to pick a summer job / part-time gig helps them improve their work ethics.
5. Involving them in some type of service makes them kind-ful (someone who is both considerate and aware of others' needs).
6. Stories can be powerful teacher. Encouraging them to read can be very useful.
These are a few suggestions. But the idea is to introduce them to a range of experiences, perspective and cultures outside of their immediate environment.
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