Parenting News: How Changes In Parenting Style Lead To The ‘Me Generation’

The generation born between 1982 and 2002 are called "Gen Y" as they are less empathetic. On the basis of decreasing empathy in a child, the present day generation is labeled "Me Generation" or the "me, me, me epidemic."

According to Psychology Today, the decrease in children's level of empathy is due to the change in parenting styles since 1980s. The "Me Generation" is labeled as such as they are an emotional asset of the primary and is only "loved." Earlier parents had children as means to gain practical and financial support.

The development in science and technology, however, brought in many household machines that cut down household chores. Parents started focusing on child's happiness and success and did not want their children to carry out chores. Chores are not valued as much and the sense of responsibility among children has fallen.

Chores are traditional. They are hard and tedious but it allow children to develop a sense of responsibility and social bonding. Children learn a sense of social justice and the division of work. They also learn to be fair while doing work.

Parents in China label their children as "little emperors" and "little princesses," who were born between the year 1979 and 2015 under one-child policy. Parenting style has changed drastically in China. Parents believe the hardships that they went through during China's Great Famine and Cultural Revolution must not be faced by their children.

In China, parenting style has changed to an extent, which resulted in no chores, no family responsibilities in many families. In the United States, parenting style changes have led to the decrease in chores with less than 30 percent of parents ask their children to do chores.

According to Business Insider, the book titled, "Raising Can-Do Kids," which was written by Richard Rende quotes, "Parents today want their kids spending time on things that can bring them success, but ironically, we've stopped doing one thing that's actually been a proven predictor of success - and that's household chores."

Chores help in development of family relationships. Even though parents love their children and children are grateful for the sacrifices their parents do, the change in parenting style has led to the "Me Generation."