Are your parents becoming or already are entitled parents? Here are a few strategies you can do to help. In many cases, an entitled Karen doesn’t show herself until they start acting out in public – until then, you may never notice.
Recent years have witnessed an alarmingly widespread rise in this type of behavior, made more visible through social media and internet access. And it’s becoming an increasing problem.
1. Don’t Give In
An entitled Karen can be difficult to deal with, particularly if she constantly makes demands and wastes time. But there are ways you can overcome such people.
Importantly, resist giving in to their requests or demands; even though they may seem reasonable at first, when their wants and needs go unmet they become entitled and start acting this way.
One effective strategy to prevent giving in is simply ignoring them. While this may seem simple, it can become increasingly challenging when they begin criticizing any minor flaw they can find and starting complaining. If this continues, you could end up dealing with an entitled Karen forever!
Not only should you remember this fact, but these people can become an issue for everyone around them as well. Their presence could create negative associations for you or even make you feel bad about yourself.
One of the hallmarks of an entitled Karen is when they demand you change store policies to meet their specific needs or preferences, even if this requires employees working overtime in order to accommodate such requests.
However, it’s important to remember that this may not always be true as they could just be trying genuinely to obtain what they desire without even realizing it.
Assuming you see someone like Karen insisting upon speaking to the manager about an issue in a grocery store, this doesn’t have to be seen as something negative provided that you do not escalate or threaten their behavior in any way.
At the core, remember to treat these people like strangers – online acquaintances or coworkers could all potentially pose as potential sources.
Internet has many tools that can help you determine whether someone is acting entitled or not. Search their name on popular forums such as Reddit or YouTube to gain an idea if this person should be avoided – this way you’ll know if you are dealing with an entitled Karen before taking time to discuss this with them directly.
2. Don’t Give Up
There can be numerous reasons for coming across an entitled Karen, and it’s essential to recognize their behavior if you hope to successfully manage them. Otherwise, they could become difficult to manage.
Service industries often find themselves on the receiving end of people who think they deserve special treatment, like Karens who think they deserve something they don’t get. Dealing with customers who constantly demand changes to your policy or complain when things don’t go their way can be extremely taxing and stressful.
At restaurants or cafes, it can be especially frustrating when an entitled Karen appears. They may complain about how long it took for their food to arrive or insist you fix an issue they have discovered themselves.
One might claim their meal isn’t quite up to par or be disappointed they can’t locate an item they need in store – these complaints are completely valid but it can easily lead to someone becoming angry and abusive in response. To maintain civility during such interactions, try being aware of your body language so as to stay composed.
Parenting can be especially trying when faced with dealing with an entitled Karen. Their pushiness can sometimes even extend to bullying their children!
Though it might be tempting to give in to the situation, it is important to remember that there is always an option available; whether this involves communicating to them that their behavior is wrong, or going directly to law enforcement for help.
Keep this in mind when dealing with sensitive situations: your feelings are shared by many others who deserve the chance for equal treatment.
At times like these, it’s vital not to give in to an entitled Karen’s demands; not only would this not do them any favors, but you may put yourself in an unsafe position as well. There are ways of dealing with her that don’t involve giving in, in fact it may even be beneficial if you make the effort not to behave in this manner!
3. Don’t Give Up on Your Kids
Every parent wants their kids to be happy and build meaningful relationships, yet it can be challenging knowing when it is appropriate to intervene with a child who is acting out or not behaving appropriately.
At times, it can be beneficial to take a step back and look at the situation from your child’s point of view. Doing this may help you recognize whether they’re acting inappropriately or simply trying to gain their way.
Psychological expert Jessica Morin advises being more open in discussing your child’s mistakes, which will teach them important lessons about failure and responsibility, while simultaneously developing new skills.
While there’s no perfect solution, you can encourage your kids to attempt difficult things such as dance class or learning an instrument. If they fail, praise their effort instead and show them how to handle future setbacks according to Morin.
Your children can learn to be more accepting of people who differ from them when it comes to race and gender, says Ms. Sheridan. It will help them realize that others might not have access to as much education.
Make sure your children understand what constitutes a healthy friendship and how to recognize fake ones, since if they cannot trust their peers they could end up feeling lonely later in life.
An entitled Karen can take advantage of any situation to gain attention or privileges – this is particularly hazardous when young kids are still developing their identity and socialization.
If you suspect your kid might be an entitled Karen, discuss his or her feelings directly. Ask if they’re anxious about how they look or fear being taken advantage of by others.
Your response can help you establish whether it’s worth your child continuing in this manner or if their behavior needs to change. From there you can set boundaries and build stronger relationships.
4. Don’t Give Up on Yourself
Have you heard the term “Karen?” It is an often-heard derogatory slur used to characterize white women who exhibit rude, entitled behavior that often borders on racist. Karens are likely as likely to get annoyed at Starbucks staff for minor matters as they are to call the authorities on Black people.
No one disputes that these women can be problematic and that their racially offensive behaviors should be called out, but what really stands out here is their entitlement to these actions in the first place.
Noteworthy is also the fact that Karens enjoy considerable power and privilege over their actions, leading them to use this advantage to assert authority over other people.
An example is a woman in Central Park who called the police on a Black man for asking her to leash her dog – although being entitled isn’t inherently wrong, calling the cops is just one more way of exerting power and undermining other’s rights.
But there are ways to cope with Entitled Karen when she seems like she has you cornered. One approach would be to focus on all the reasons you won’t abandon yourself when facing tough moments; hold tight onto this as a source of comfort when things seem hopeless.
An alternative approach would be to assess your behavior and see where there might be room for improvement. For instance, if you often call the police on Black children selling bottles of water on sidewalks, maybe changing your attitude and seeing things from a different viewpoint could help.
Your best chance at success may lie in becoming a better friend, parent or person overall. Being determined enough to continue could make all the difference!
If you’re feeling lost and confused, reach out for some assistance from friends, family or a doctor.
