For several years now, Karen has been used as a derogatory term to refer to those who demonstrate white entitlement and casual racism.
People have been increasingly reporting white women calling the police on black people or engaging in racist micro-aggressions such as asking to touch someone’s hair. Many of these incidents have been recorded and shared online, with some going viral.
What is an Entitled Person?
An entitled person is someone who believes they are special and deserve to be treated well. Unfortunately, this common psychological trait can lead to various issues such as social instability, anger issues and broken relationships.
Joshua Grubbs, an assistant professor of psychology at Bowling Green State University and Julie Exline, professor of psychological sciences at Case Western Reserve University, have published research in Psychological Bulletin that suggests entitlement can make people vulnerable to disappointment which in turn leads to anger, blaming others and social strife – ultimately leading to depression cycles. According to Grubbs’ findings, entitlement can create a vicious cycle.
He and Exline conducted an analysis of over 170 studies on entitlement, exploring how people respond when their expectations aren’t fulfilled. They discovered that those who believe they deserve certain things tend to be most sensitive to disappointment when their needs aren’t fulfilled.
Experts report that unrealistic expectations can often be the result of unmet past demands, a superiority complex or an insecure feeling that one doesn’t measure up to others’ standards. They could also be signs of antisocial personality disorder or narcissistic personality disorder.
Furthermore, these people can be quite abrasive and aggressive in their manner. For instance, they might always be late without saying sorry; throw a tantrum if you don’t fulfill their needs; talk about you behind your back to make you feel like there’s something wrong with you if you don’t give in to their demands.
Another characteristic of this person is their willingness to sabotage others’ success in order to obtain what they desire. They will use any means necessary, even if it means sacrificing their own self-worth in the process.
They can be a burden, but it is possible to free yourself from an entitled mindset and find peace within yourself. Here are some strategies for breaking free of this mindset so you can live a more productive, joyful life:
The Roots of Entitlement
The roots of entitlement lie in a complex web of interrelated factors. These include race, gender, class and power – when combined they can create an individual who is highly vulnerable and likely to act out against those who differ from them.
Karen is a particularly problematic Entitled Person, as she is willing to use her power and status for self-preservation. Additionally, Karen has an intense sense of self-importance which may lead her to believe that she’s better than everyone else.
Karen as often depicted on social media is a one-dimensional character. She’s an arrogant consumer who prioritizes status markers and status symbols over all else.
But what causes her anger? In some cases, it’s evident that her anger is motivated by racism; in others, however, she may simply feel insecure and want to project strength.
She often times will call the police on Black people for minor infractions or simply being in the same space as her. This kind of racism disproportionately targets Black people and is an expression of white privilege.
White privilege can manifest in various ways, such as the need to be in control, possess all the answers and believe you are the only solution to a problem. It may also manifest as feelings of helplessness which might be used as an excuse for engaging in behaviors which are detrimental.
Recently, as the national conversation about Black Lives Matter has shifted in our country, Karen’s image has taken on a new form. She’s become an insulting term for an entitled white woman who refuses to wear masks and spews racist epithets in public. Some even attribute her behavior with White Supremacy.
The Karen meme is an example of how technology has revolutionized how we view social politics. Initially created to parody a certain brand of entitled white women, it has since grown into a humorous metaphor for 2020’s contentious social issues.
Entitlements in Society
In recent years, you may have come across the term “Karen.” It’s used for someone who acts out in public, gets easily upset, and often uses her status to subjugate others based on race.
Karen initially began as a slang term for women who get angry quickly, but has since come to be used more broadly to denote anyone acting out in public. It has also become widely associated with people who act racist and privileged – particularly among white women who are increasingly being exposed for these types of actions on social media platforms.
The origins of the phrase are uncertain, and much debate continues as to its meaning. Some speculate it originated with a slang term for someone who acts out or mistreats others; according to Dr. I.M Nick – a nomenclature scholar and former president of the American Name Society – it could also have originated as social media shorthand.
Another theory suggests the word “Karen” comes from a joke about someone who can’t stand being around other people. This quip can be seen in many popular films, and Vox editor Karen Turner recalls hearing it as a child.
As America has become more and more of an entitlement society, many fear this trend will inevitably result in a population of long-term jobless citizens who rely on government benefits for survival. This can only breed a culture of sloth and passivity, as fewer people will have incentive to work and invest in their own financial security.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs in America have created an entitlement culture. While some are staunchly against expanding these benefits, others worry about their possible effects on future generations and the viability of our national economy.
Despite the many arguments against expanding these programs, an increasing number of Americans believe they are necessary for economic security. This sentiment is particularly strong among young adults who have children or are near retirement age and depend on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as part of their safety net. For these individuals, however, long-term stability of these programs must remain a top priority.
Entitlements in Relationships
A person with a strong sense of entitlement can face difficulties in all areas of their life. They may attempt to take advantage of others by abusing their position as boss or parent to obtain what they desire. Furthermore, they may feel entitled to certain levels of attention or recognition from friends and family members.
Relationships often experience conflict when one partner feels the need to take all decisions in the marriage. If this becomes unbearable, it may lead to anger and even feelings of alienation from your significant other. It can be an intensely upsetting experience and may even prompt you to leave the relationship altogether.
Your treatment of your partner can be a powerful indication of how much you value them as an individual. If you treat them badly and never do anything nice for them, then this might indicate that they feel like they don’t deserve love or consideration from you.
An attitude like this can be challenging to change, but if you and your partner make a conscious effort to work through it, then dealing with it becomes simpler. Start by asking how your partner is feeling; if they appear tired or overwhelmed, perhaps waiting until they feel better before having meaningful conversations about issues at hand.
You can also ask them what interests them and makes them happy. This is an effective way to start a conversation and help combat any feelings of entitlement that your spouse might have towards you.
People with a sense of entitlement tend to be overly confident and this can lead them to isolate themselves from friends and family, which in turn may lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.
An excessive sense of entitlement is often linked to insecure attachment styles like anxious attachment or avoidant attachment. This attitude then fuels maladaptive relationship traits like pathological concern and obsessive-compulsive behaviors in the context of that relationship.
