The Generation of 'Entitlement'

So first let me explain what the title means. While it's been known that the current 'teenager' generation is known as Gen Y or the Millennials, the word 'entitlement' has been thrown around a lot lately. But I have seen that those born in 2001 and later have felt they deserved something they didn't earn. I've seen this on many occasions where it's 'their right' to do or get something. I tend to laugh when I hear this as they really don't understand 'their rights' and know the difference between 'rights' and privilege.

In my classes, I focus on social and life skills. Students are able to understand that what they are learning in the classroom and be able to apply it to the 'real world.' I have a nine year old son that I have been seeing changes in where he believes he is 'entitled.' Although he does not know what the word means, I can see it in his actions and words. After an afternoon snack one day, he leaves his garbage on the table and walks away. I walked into the living room and asked him if that was his wrapper on the table (now he and I both know it was his). He looked at me and said that I could throw it away. My initial reaction was to just throw it away. But then that would not be teaching him a lesson. It would encourage him not to pick up his stuff and feel that he would be part of the entitlement group.

I've seen this a lot in the past few years. things being handed to some and the expectations of "throwing the garbage away" is expected by the parent. But what if the parent didn't throw the garbage away anymore? The fact is that the garbage would probably never be thrown away. Refocus the metaphor on teaching. No way am I saying that garbage is in teaching (the connection was between doing it for my son instead of letting him throw it away). But the fact is that teaching is similar to that lesson. If we do everything for the students and not let them do anything, they will never be able to. Teaching is more about letting the students figure it out for themselves without hand holding or doing it for them. Even though they won't tell you so, they truly appreciate the confidence that they are given.