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The Audacity of Entitlement
Yes, we are entitled to our freedom, opinions, rights etc. These are giving to us and supported by law. But like all things that we get for free we often fail to realize the value of the privileges we get with entitlement. Even worse, the sense of self entitlement many posses without having to earn it leads to a level of arrogance that usually leads to many life disappointments and harsh lessons. This can been seen in many of our relationships where we or others feel they are entitled to unconditional love, unquestioning respect, authoritative opinions, total understanding, forgiveness and absolute loyalty without having to earn it, or conduct themselves in a manner worthy of it. This is also see at work and among several youths.
But like we did, many learn over time with some bitter lessons and some never learn and continue to live an entitled life, demanding respect as opposed to commanding it. Having said this, many also carry an inflated sense of entitlement, as in expecting a customer service agent to go over and beyond to satisfy them or children expecting their parents to tolerate and excuse all the atrocious behaviours and attitude for the mistake of bringing to this world. Similarly we abuse our freedom and assume other peoples glory without having to put in the hard work and sacrifices they make for our country. Many politicians and corporate executives abuse their powers and damage employee morale and run companies to the ground with the arrogance due to the audacity of entitlement.
Wouldn’t people have lesser disappointments, lead responsible lives and be more productive if they had to earn what they so arrogantly assume they are entitled for? Perhaps an idea that needs to be educated formally and supported by law as it is the case with our civil, constitutional, and human rights.
Gail . 50+
Because all of our social systems are driven by money, the same systemic flaws are built into them, so we have the social ills (CONSEQUENCES) that we face.
I see the solution as being two-fold. One is EDUCATION!!!!! People need to know WHAT a human is (rather than who). But they also need to understand how things work in a fundamental way and these things are not taught in our schools because schools exist to serve the wealthy who run the military industrial complex that provides jobs. Because the base of education is so dishonest - both overtly and covertly - people graduating from high school (or even with PhDs are FUNCTIONALLY uneducated.
One who is properly educated will understand that there is no legitimate entitlement and that each is responsible for his her own life. But for as long as $$$ is king, and for as long as we accept false assumptions, we will believe that we are vulnerable and we need protection that the $$$ that is killing us provides.
Rhona Pavis 50+
Debbie Burchett
Barry Palmer 50+
We are all heirs to millenniums of tremendous effort. Most of our entitlements were earned by our forefathers and handed down to us. This is good. I hope that my efforts will make the world a slightly better place for the following generations. Perhaps my efforts will be a small contribution toward providing them with some new entitlement. If so, I expect no thanks. I do expect that the following generations will continue to develop a more realistic view of this universe, and especially of the workings of societies. I expect that they will try to see the difference between what they have earned and what their forefathers earned for them.
In the USA, everyone is entitled to a certain minimum level of respect, up to the point when he or she demonstrates unworthiness. This is true of everyone equally. Historically, this was not always the case. This is an entitlement that was earned by our forefathers, not by anyone now or recently living.
People who overestimate their entitlements soon lose respect.
Maaher Sayeed 10+
Debbie Burchett
Maaher Sayeed 10+
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+
As Linda Taylor as wisely noted, gratitude is important. We should be grateful for the things we have; and we should be committed to our duties and responsibilities.
It is said that 'you dont miss your water till the well runs dry', but we should be that wise one that tries hard not to clog his or her well with pride and laziness.
Linda Taylor 50+
Maaher Sayeed 10+
Linda Taylor 50+
Maaher Sayeed 10+
Barry Palmer 50+
IMO, every generation should provide service to the state (really each other) to earn and provide for these entitlements. At the age of eighteen every citizen, with no exceptions whatever, should have to spend two years in government service, paid a minimum wage. Some would be in the armed forces, but most would just be manning the many low level bureaucratic positions needed to run any government. In addition to providing the government with cheap labor it would provide the laborers with needed lessons in how the government actually runs, including the internal politics. If our form of government is FOR all the people it should also be BY ALL the people.
Maaher Sayeed 10+
Zman Kietilipooskie
Wither or not you are an adult or a child respect is still something that should be there. Children are entitled to respect just as any adult, misbehavior has nothing to do with age. People demanding a service agent to go "above and beyond" is part of economics and business. It seems to me that you are confusing the entitlement and people being bad, people misbehave (including children) people still deserve respect regardless.
Maaher Sayeed 10+
I didnt say people are not worthy of respect. But people need to understand that they need to conduct themselves in manner worthy of other peoples respect as well. One cannot feel they are entitled to respect and power if they continue to do things that errodes peoples respect for them.
Zman Kietilipooskie
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Maaher Sayeed 10+
In my personal opinion, I feel I am not entitled to anything. If I have been given something, I try to appreciate it in every way possible and not take it for granted. People commonly take things for granted and have very little value for the things that are given to them for free, like freedom for example, or love.
I would like to see the idea of "Gratitude and Earning the things one desires" be included within the early learnign curriculum at school in early stages and I believe there are several areas where a realistic value could be placed for what one earns and hence deserves by law, such as in corporate laws, divorce laws, etc.
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Maaher Sayeed 10+
"...But like we did, many learn over time with some bitter lessons and some never learn and continue to live an entitled life, demanding respect as opposed to commanding it".
Fritzie Reisner 100+
Maaher Sayeed 10+
I cant agree more with what you see. An authoratative position doeent warrant respect for the individual but perhaps some level of obdience to the position which many individuals abuse. Similarly, an abrasive attitude, arrogance and disrespect for superiors and collegues also comes from a sense of entitlement that diminishes the individuals rspect.
But the same is true in other relationships as well. Within the family, marriage etc where people exert the same self entitled behaviours that errodes respect and love for one another quickly.