During this season of Christmas and Hanukah, people normally feel a spirit of sharing, generosity and caring. Therefore, it is difficult to fathom the masses of spoiled, self-absorbed Americans or reconcile the current economic “crisis.” Regardless of the doom and gloom coming from the media about the economy, malls are brimming with people shopping for themselves; party-dresses, new handbags, and those must-have designer pumps. Nail salons are bulging with females of all ages desperate for a fresh mani-pedi. Stylists report that more men than ever are getting their hair colored and styled, as well as manicures. Dermatologists’ offices are booked months-out for “treatments” of BOTOX, Restalyn, micro-dermabrasion, facials, cosmetic surgery and the like – for men and women.
Exactly where is the economic crisis? The perpetually self-absorbed, entitlement people don’t seem to be in the middle of an economic crisis.
Every week in Dear Abby, Miss Manners and various advise columns, women write to the columnists for advise on the most absurd, self-absorbed subjects. Recently, one young bride-to-be wrote to Miss Manners asking if she should have a no-host bar at her wedding because she and her groom couldn’t afford the big show-wedding they really wanted to have, if it required that they also pay for their guests’ bar tabs.
Today’s 20-30somethings are the children who were told that everything they did was fabulous. There were no losers, and everyone got a blue ribbon and a trophy even if they lost the game. They grew up being told by their parents and teachers that they were extra special, that they were always fascinating, and that every story, poem or paper they wrote was worthy of a Pulitzer prize. Every song they sang, every Christmas Pageant they performed in was Grammy and Academy Award material. They were never taught to how lose with grace, or how to pick themselves up when they had been knocked down. No one ever let them fall down, get beat up or acknowledged when they lost the game. Their entitlement is staggering, and their self-esteem is off the charts.
The “Entitlement Generation” (1979-1994) is a Human Resource phenomenon today. These spoiled brats are entering and navigating the workforce. Many can’t hold jobs or whimsically “job-surf.” They don’t always want to work and many don’t feel they should have to put up with traditional employment. With their feet up on the desks, their opinions loudly expressed, dressed in sloppy jeans and flip flops, they can’t handle any criticism from their supervisors or coworkers. They expect extra incentives to do what they were hired for and for which they receive a paycheck. They think that because they put any effort into a project, everyone should take notice, regardless of the results or quality of their work. When criticized, they reply, “You can’t talk to me like that.” Employers describe shrieking outbursts and screaming fits from young “adults” during performance evaluations and disciplinary meetings. And then, after being criticized, they quit and move back home with their parents instead of figuring out how to get another job in order to make their rent and car payments. They don’t shut their mouths, buck up or tuff it out. They don’t think they should have to.
Their “Baby Boomer” parents have been so concerned with “lifestyle” and appearances that they forgot to raise their children to responsible adulthood. No one said that raising kids is easy. It’s also not a popularity contest, but far too many Boomer parents equate good parenting with being liked by their kids. Consequently, they raised brats that no one wants to hire, dine out with, ride next to on a plane, or have to work with.
Unfortunately, most Boomer’s kids think they are entitled to the same lifestyle their parents enjoy, or worse, a lifestyle enjoyed by the rich and famous. They are joining expensive country clubs and social clubs and go out every weekend. This is usually only accomplished on the coattails of their parents as they are still largely supported by parents who foot the bills for much of their lifestyle – travel, shopping sprees, spa days, golf weekends and professional sporting events.
The obsession millions of people have with People Magazine should be a warning sign. When teenage girls get expensive weekly manicures and pedicures and carry designer handbags, wear $200 jeans, and expect to have Queen-for-A-Day weddings like celebrities, they have been raised to believe that they deserve more and are entitled to a lifestyle, whether they can afford it or not.
According to a recent survey by Careerbuilder.com, more than 85% of employers believe that the Entitlement Generation has unusually high expectations, high superiority beliefs, and a strong sense of entitlement in the workplace. Also nicknamed “Trophy Kids,” many employers feel that the entitlement generation employee wants to be the CEO, refuses to work more than a 40-hour workweek or give any personal time to a job. According to the survey, the generation’s greatest expectations: higher pay (74% of respondents); flexible work schedules (61%); a promotion within a year (56%); and more vacation or personal time (50%). Described as impatient, self-serving, disloyal, and unable to delay gratification, this generation does not appreciate waiting, as they have never had to wait for anything. Instant gratification through text messages, cell phone calls, photo email, all information is sent immediately over the internet to their i-Phones.
Enabling parents have raised an entitlement generation. Committed and entitled to fun, idealism and “me,” the entitlement generation may only begin to act like responsible, sincere, adults if and when they begin to feel some of the economic pinch. Maybe. With their parents catching them before they fall, it may instead be up to employers to train this group of “Emerging Adults,” to see the need for more selfless, bigger picture thinking in the future – their future. And while every generation blames their parents for something, there are choices to make about the future, as youth enter young adulthood and young adults realize that they are not the center of the universe. Entitlement is unattractive behavior in a 25-year old, and revolting in a 40-year old.
