Entitlement Mentality: Do Some People's Childhoods Set Them Up To Have An Entitlement Mentality?

If someone had the desire to attain something, they could look into what they need to do in order to get it and then could they take action. Alternatively, they could think about what they want and instead of taking action, they could expect someone to give it to them.

It could be said that there is a greater chance of the first person experiencing success, and this is because they are taking action. Whereas if one was to expect something to simply show up, it is going to be a lot harder for them to experience success, and this is primarily because they are not doing anything.

The First Person

When one believes that things don’t just happen and that they need to take action, there is the chance that they have been with way for quiet some time. If this is not the case, then somewhere along the line they learned that they have to play their part in life.

This is not to say that they will always get what they want, but what it will generally mean is that they will have worked for what they have. Through putting in this work, it is likely to mean that they will have a greater appreciation for what they have.

Appreciation

If, on the other hand, they had been given what they have, it might be normal for them to take what they have for granted. But based on what they have done to attain what they have, they are likely to know its value.

Therefore, regardless of whether it took them a while to attain something or not, they may still treat it with respect. They could also believe that they are paying their part on this earth and this could fill them with a sense of satisfaction.

The Second Person

When one believes that they shouldn’t take action and that what they want should just be handed to them, they may also have been this way for quite some time. If one is in this position, then it is likely to be a sign that one believes that this is the way that life works.

Now, although this could mean that they rarely get what they want, this might not be the case. But even if they do get what they want, they might not have the same level of appreciation for what they have.

Taken For Granted

If one was to take what they have for granted, it could be because they believe that they are entitled to it. It is then not as if they are being given anything; they are simply getting what they deserve.

As a result of this, it might not matter whether something costs a small amount of money or large amount of money. Along with this, they might not believe that they have a part to play in the world, and what could bring them a sense of satisfaction is when they are given things.

Different Degrees

However, although there are going to be some people who believe that they should be given everything, there are going to be others who have a different outlook. They could believe that while they have to work for some things, there should be others things that should be given to them.

This could mean that if one was to come across them in certain environments, they might not see that they have an entitlement mentality. Yet if they were to see them in other environments, it might be easy for them to notice

The Provider
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If they were to think about who is going to give them things, they may start to think about their family and/or the government. Also, they may also believe that the person they are in a relationship with should also play a part, and if they are not in one, they might expect this to happen if they were.

When one is in a position where they are given what they want by these sources, they are unlikely to feel the need to change their behaviour. In fact, the people around them could validate their belief that they are entitled to have whatever they want.

Today’s World

As to how much they receive without needing to do anything can depend on a number of different factors. Their social standing can play a part here and how wealthy their family are will also make a difference; their physical appearance can also have an effect.

But even if one doesn’t hold a high position in society or have a wealthy family, for instance, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be given things. This is primarily because people are often told by society that they are entitled to certain things.

Control

It could be said that the reason why society encourages people to have an entitlement mentality is that it makes it easier to control people. When people rely on the government to give them things, they are dependent on the system, and this means they have less control.

Yet when people believe that they have to work for what they have, they are not going to expect the government to do as much for them. As a result of this, the government won’t have as much influence and it will be a lot easier for people to have more control over their lives.

Childhood

What happens during one’s childhood years can also have an effect, and while childhood neglect can play a part, it can also be a sign that one was given everything they wanted. At this age, they would have been entitled to have their developmental needs met, and if their needs were not met, it is going to be normal for them to be mentally and emotionally undeveloped.
 
Through being neglected, it is to be expected that they will have an entitlement mentality, and this is because they will still feel like a powerless child. If they were always given what they wanted, they can then expect the world to respond to them in the same way.

On one hand, they were not neglected, but on the other hand, they didn’t receive the guidance that they needed in order to function in the world. Their upbringing would have set them up to have unrealistic expectations.

Awareness

When one was neglected, they may need to grieve their unmet childhood needs, and through doing this, it might be possible for them to develop their personal power. If one wasn’t given the right guidance, they may also have unmet needs to grieve, and this may then allow them to gradually face reality.

This is something that can take place with the assistance of a therapist and/or a support group.

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Oliver JR Cooper
http://www.oliverjrcooper.co.uk/