Now is the time that the generation who has been brought up in the “Look at me!” culture, are becoming ‘adults’. They understandably continue seeking attention (both positive and negative). These are IMO immature ‘grown-ups’ who (as you may have heard) label their annoying real-life responsibilities as “adulting”. They’ll play the role (IF THEY HAVE TO!) but only while they are doing the unpleasant chores to sustain themselves.
This stunted growth into would-be mature adulthood has many correlations to ‘modern parenting’ techniques, but this perfect storm has many variables.
Social media is the drug of choice of many “attention junkies” offering frequent ‘like’, ‘sympathy’ or ‘comment’ fixes.
But, to complete the ‘wardrobe’ of these individuals, they must have, or adopt, a victim status. The more, the better. Intersectionality is the lottery that offers the better ‘attention getting’ rewards by the number of (superficial) disadvantages one can claim. [To heck with character, generosity, work ethic, and talent.]
The growth of the Gender Dysphoria condition by 20,000 % in recent years is only one of the unfortunate byproducts of young parents delaying responsible maturity.
There’s another mental illness called Munchausen Syndrome that may be playing its own role specifically in promoting ‘transgenderism’ in children. Munchhausen Syndrome has long been recognized as the intense longing for attention by assimilating physical illness. There’s no cure but mental health professionals treat it and monitor it for the patient’s own welfare.
Parenting is hard enough but add damaged, self-centered, people having kids and tragic results are almost inevitable.
The parent who obsessively craves attention can add another victim status ‘star’, on her intersectionality chart, if her child becomes transgender. Coaxing and confusing young children, by suggesting that gender is fluid, is an easily achieved goal. Kids, after all, rely on their parents’ translation of the world. Once 3-year-old Johnny is told he’s a possible Jenny because he loves to dance and twirl to Disney’s Frozen, it’s a ‘free for all’. There are dresses to buy and make-up to apply!
In the end, Mommy hasn’t taken on symptoms of her own but (in her Munchhausen mind) can get a brand-new cascade of attention and sympathy living out this latest trendy ‘victimhood’ vicariously through the mental abuse of her child. Well… we’ll all look at her now!
But some of us with expressions of disgust. I don’t even think she’ll mind, though.
It’s the “Look at me!” that matters.
Sillyfrog's Blog 
As much as I’d love to argue with you over what you wrote, I can’t.
You are wise. Pick your battles. 🙂
That’s well-presented writing. And that would be very sad. It was sad enough when I came across (on YouTube) a young woman who considered herself (or went through a phase of considering herself and was slowly navigating her feelings as can be understandable) male because she didn’t like wearing make-up like the other girls. Nevertheless, I don’t think this generation is more self-absorbed than the last or the one before that (in other words, the generations immediately leading to her, while I don’t mean to say her mother or grandmother(s) are necessarily directly to blame).
Thanks! I don’t think all young parents of this time period are self-absorbed but IMO the incidences of it are greater. Like our freedoms and civility, the erosion is gradual and worsens (if not corrected) in each generation. Add in the social media dynamic and gross increase in single motherhood then the ‘every kid gets a trophy phase’ and now, being offended is somehow criminal? The grasp on, or value of, maturity and responsibility has loosened. Handing kids, the ‘reins’ to choose has gone overboard. It’s downright cruel. I can’t imagine letting a puppy roam without guidance… now it’s trendy to let kids just wing it. Why? Many, not all, young parents find it so much easier. More time for fun that way?
I know SO many excellent young parents. I’m still hopeful but I also know many, many, self-absorbed ones too.
AS for the girl going through a phase, that’s the saddest part of this whole topic. The kids are talking to each other about something they don’t even understand…and shouldn’t have been introduced to. Schools, pop culture, TV, music, and radical politicals are after our kids. 😦
I’m not sure being offended is criminal (and, from context, I can’t really address what you said). I do think the accusers of others being snowflakes has turned around to melt the accusers of yore (not so long ago).
It’s far better to make a case than to accuse. I think I did.
But I know what snowflake means, and I also know one when I see one. What’s your point? I know an attentive parent from a lazy one. There aren’t names for them but they exist.
I was referring to not only lazy parents but ‘absent’ selfish ones. All the generations have them… I’m noticing more now. Therefore… my post was born. Thanks for commenting. ❤
My point, in my second comment (or thought), was partly that I (truly) didn’t know what you meant to convey with the “criminal” question (which I do gather was rhetorical, and did, but still). And I think snowflake was being used — more frequently in former days — to say people were too offended? I could be wrong about what people meant by saying it, as it wasn’t something I said. Now, to the melting: it can be a bad thing or a good thing. For example, when a prophet would speak, some hearts could be melted (which we often think of as a positive).
Funny but I didn’t say snowflake in the piece and I don’t know where we are going. But I appreciate the thoughts and comments. 😊
Offended (or the same by any other name); we (in my view) need to be not pro offense or anti offense but more analytical and conversational.
Anyway, as I said, your piece is well-presented writing. And I agree with that concern therein laid out as resulting from your analysis of observation.
Well written and I am in complete agreement.
Thank-you. 👍❤