Recently, I’ve noticed a lot of people being labeled “Karen”. This social media trend has taken over our feeds, causing some curiosity and even condemnation.
But is Karen really a sexist term? And if so, how does Karen feel about it in real life? Is this something that has any influence over their daily lives?
1. Dealing with an Entitled Karen
An entitled Karen is a white woman who exhibits excessive rudeness. Usually, they sport bleach blonde bob haircuts, expensive designer labels, and excessive use of spray tan products. Furthermore, these individuals frequently demand to speak with managers or express frustration over minor inconveniences.
The Karen meme began as a humorous takedown of white women who act like they own the world. It has since blossomed into an expansive social media phenomenon that exposes a range of offensive and irresponsible behaviors.
In the midst of Black Lives Matter protests, racial tensions and a pandemic, Karen became an iconic symbol in America’s turbulent political climate. Over the past few months, this meme has undergone several dramatic shifts: from mocking anti-vaxxer moms with entitlement complex to standing as symbol for white supremacy that has never been more visible.
As Karen has become more and more popular, it has spawned a subreddit dedicated to calling out ignorant and overly entitled people who make other people’s lives miserable. The Eff You Karen subreddit has become an immensely successful online community that has made shaming ignorant people viral in the process.
Though the Eff You Karen subreddit and YouTube channels have contributed to the Karen stereotype becoming part of our culture, it’s essential to remember that the real issue with her name isn’t her gender; it’s her behavior. If she can’t get her own way, then no one else will either.
Karen may feel entitled, but it’s essential to remind her that she does not have the right to be unreasonable. While this may lead to the loss of some friends and acquaintances, it is better for everyone if Karen takes a step back than continuing to cause everyone around her misery.
On her first day at school, Karen showed the typical obnoxious behavior that comes with being Karen. When told to tidy up, Karen responded with typical Karen rudeness.
Thankfully, this woman’s husband quickly demonstrated his respect and kindness by standing up for his wife when she was treated like an entitled jerk by store employees. What a good man he was to stand up for his wife in such a case.
2. Dealing with an Entitled Man
Karen has become a byword on social media as an insult against certain types of people. It’s often used by white, suburban moms who demand to speak with managers or call the police when service workers deny them what they believe to be entitled to.
The term “Karen” originated within African-American communities, where it was used to denigrate privileged white women who use racism as a tool and exploit their privilege for personal gain. But it has since gained acceptance across other spaces such as stand-up comedy and Reddit.
No matter its origins, the term is perfectly fitting for a culture that has grown complacent in confronting casual racism, something many Americans have become used to seeing. And it’s one of the only ways people can consciously challenge such outlandish displays of overt behavior.
Social media has played a role in fueling this trend, making it easier for everyone to capture their interactions with others. Accounts such as @karensgoingwilds on Instagram have helped document instances of overt racial behavior in public spaces.
Though “Karen” has a long-standing reputation for rude entitlement, people often use it when feeling dissatisfied or offended. That’s because entitlement can lead to anger, according to psychologist David Strobel’s book The Entitlement Society.
Strobel suggests this anger may be an attempt to validate one’s own importance and special status, or it could also be used as a means to make other people “feel bad” or guilty about their own behaviors.
But it can also be a way for them to vent their frustrations in more destructive ways. This has likely been the source of all the online rage we’ve been witnessing over the last year.
My experience has shown that men tend to display this kind of anger more frequently. This is often a reaction to what they perceive as injustices or oppression, along with feeling as though others are constantly holding them back. While this type of rage can persist for weeks, months or even years, it doesn’t have to be that way.
3. Dealing with an Entitled Child
Have you ever encountered an entitled child before, or are you a parent and struggling to understand how best to handle such behavior? While it’s normal for kids to act out from time to time, there are ways you can help your kid develop good values and habits before they get too out-of-hand.
One of the most effective ways to help curb an entitlement mentality in your child is teaching them responsibility for their actions and being thankful for what they have. This may seem like a simple task, but it will have profound effects on all members of your family’s life – particularly in the long run.
Many children who develop an entitlement attitude come from parents who try to make their lives simpler by allowing them to “do it all” or expecting them to work for everything without ever asking them to actually contribute.
Entitled people can be much harder to live with than expected, and their demands and complaining often lead to the departure of those who love them. Entitled individuals often end up leaving those closest to them feeling unhappy and frustrated, leading those who care about them most to turn away from them eventually.
Furthermore, these individuals often become chronically depressed and anxious, which may lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Furthermore, the constant stress may make them more inclined to turn to alcohol or drugs as a way of dealing with their issues.
These are all serious matters, and I’ve often encountered them in clients with an entitlement personality. They may be under a great deal of strain from work or illness, and they always search for ways to meet their needs.
Parenting an entitled child can be challenging, so it’s essential to comprehend their personality traits. Becoming an effective role model and mediator between yourself and your child will help avoid becoming stuck in a cycle of shouting and fighting.
4. Dealing with an Entitled Parent
As a parent, it’s natural to want to provide your kids with everything they need and desire. But this can lead to an unhealthy sense of entitlement in them; giving them extra snacks or toys when they ask for it, giving them more chores than before or letting them get ahead in school due to good grades.
But when you begin to observe that your child is acting spoiled, it’s essential to take steps to prevent this from occurring. The most successful way of doing so is by setting healthy boundaries with them.
Setting clear expectations for your children can help them learn how to manage their wants and needs without becoming entitled. Set limits such as saying no when they request something or telling them they cannot have it immediately after asking. While this may seem like a hassle at times, setting such boundaries will teach your children how to prioritize their wants without becoming entitled.
It is essential to show your children they are valued as individuals rather than objects, so they feel their needs are taken seriously. This will be especially relevant if they are developing independence skills.
They must also develop an attitude of gratitude and appreciation for what they do have. Lacking gratitude can lead to feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness, which in turn may exacerbate other mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
According to psychologist Sanam Hafeez, practicing gratitude helps you focus on the positive aspects of life and appreciate what’s around you. Unfortunately, entitled individuals often focus on negatives rather than appreciating what’s right in their lives.
Furthermore, they lack the capacity for compromise or acknowledge that others might have valid requests. It could even be that they believe themselves superior to others which causes them to act out in anger and frustration.
This can have a profound effect on your relationship with your child and foster an attitude of entitlement in them. It’s essential to remember that they are developing into adults, during which time they must learn and mature.
