Have you ever noticed that every child you meet nowadays is special and unique?
Annoying you yet?

I believe that when you start telling kids from a young age that they are special and that everything will go there way if they have a positive attitude, you will develop a narcissistic culture.

Narcissism describes the character trait of self love and how do you get self love? By people telling you how special and wonderful they are.
I think it’s good for kids to have self confidence but too much of a good thing is always bad. So much so that confidence can and will develop into an attitude that says “I am too above that,” and the competition begins.

I believe fully that our (my) next generation will be one of narcissism. Don’t believe me? A Historian and social critic Christopher Lasch (1932—1994) described this topic in his book, “The Culture of Narcissism”,[3] published in 1979.

He claims that, in such a society of constant competition, there can be no allies, and little simplicity. The intimidations to achievement of social symbols are so numerous, varied and frequently incomprehensible, that defensiveness, as well as competitiveness, becomes a way of life. Any real sense of community is undermined — or even destroyed — to be replaced by virtual equivalents that strive, unsuccessfully, to synthesize a sense of community.

Basically what he is saying is that we are so scared to fail, consumed with competition to excel past your neighbor, that one cannot have a proper friendship or be in community with them. The thought of helping others or putting yourself out is a bad quality because it can and will get in the way of your personal gain.

Being better is the name of the game.
Sounds like a culture you know and see?
This scares me.

I wasn’t raised in the praise game but I noticed when I got to school it was the norm to be deemed “special” and education is all about showing how special you are. I think when we go around telling kids how special and unique they are, they will believe it. I don’t think this is a bad thing if you are planning on keeping your kid in a bubble their entire life.

The truth is, this life is hard; it’s not kind and it doesn’t think you are “special.” I think the only way were going to make it in this world is by investing in each other and focusing on community and compassion for those around us.