Does this sound familiar, anyone? Social media and modern upbringing seem to make this more of a norm than a "disorder". The online culture of validation, the modern upbringing when kids are overpraised and made out to be little princes and princesses (among the middle classes) who get what they want as long as they whine enough about it, of deluge of games and toys that stimulate but require no long-term persistence and effort, short attention spans and minds addicted to stimulation... I could go on, as you can see...Symptoms of this disorder include[1]:
Reacting to criticism with anger, shame, or humiliation
Taking advantage of others to reach their own goals
Exaggerating their own importance, achievements, and talents
Imagining unrealistic fantasies of success, beauty, power, intelligence, or romance
Requiring constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
Becoming jealous easily
Lacking empathy and disregarding the feelings of others
Being obsessed with oneself
Pursuing mainly selfish goals
Trouble keeping healthy relationships
Becoming easily hurt and rejected
Setting goals that are unrealistic
Wanting "the best" of everything
Appearing unemotional
1. Symington, Neville (1993). Narcissism: A New Theory. H. Karnac Ltd.. pp. 6–7
With kids growing up in this culture, I often wonder about "anti-dotes". Yesterday we went skiing - had to lug skis and boots through trains and buses and then teaching the kids to ski (their first time) - that felt really wholesome. Getting them involved in housework, cleaning etc is getting increasingly hard. I worry when majority of the time, they spend consuming entertainment and treats...
Another aspect is spiritual cultivation itself. From Spiritual Materialism to various self-help fads, so many issues we face as a society seem to stem from this narcissism that has come to replace genuine involvement.
Any reflections (not necessarily to do with children) are really welcome.