Have you ever come across YouTube videos of a white woman having an emotional outburst over being asked to wear a mask, or experienced racism from someone in your community? You may have come across the term “Karen”.
Middle-aged women often use this label to demand what they believe they deserve. Many are anti-vaccine, engage in racist microaggressions, and insist upon speaking to the manager.
1. They are a victim of racism
As videos of rude and entitled Karens demanding explanations spread like wildfire, psychologists have begun to investigate why these women act this way. Research suggests they may be products of racism.
According to Aram Sinnreich, an associate professor of communication at American University in Washington, D.C., the “Karen” trend is motivated by racism as it “denotes white women who are privileged and aware of it,” yet use that power for personal gain at the expense of others.
He noted the term may have originated in a 2005 Dane Cook comedy special and has gained notoriety with the advent of social media. Additionally, it has been linked to the ‘wall of moms’ movement formed after women went on strike in 2016 to protest President Donald Trump’s policies.
The term “Karen” has recently come to be associated with a range of behaviors, such as those who willfully refuse to wear face coverings in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus, which disproportionately impacts black and other ethnic groups. It also describes people who spread misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding this outbreak on social media platforms.
In an age where everyday situational racisms are being held to account, the “Karen” has taken center stage as a target for public shame. This type of resentment has arisen as a result of furloughs, layoffs, lockdowns and the stress caused by Black Lives Matter’s return.
But the fact that this trend is often driven by middle-class, predominantly white women is important to note. At a time when many white people have become more sensitive to their racist microaggressions and on alert for potential breaches of public decorum – particularly in commercial spaces – many white people are becoming increasingly incensed.
2. They feel powerless
Karens often feel powerless and helpless because they aren’t fulfilling their responsibilities as members of society. For example, they may be too focused on achieving their own dreams and goals to care for those less fortunate than themselves.
This sense of inadequacy can lead to feelings of resentment and ungratefulness, as well as making them more prone to anger and violence.
One way to help them cope with this feeling is to seek assistance, meditate, journal their feelings and complete self-help workbooks. Doing so will enable them to manage their emotions better and learn how to better handle rage.
Another way for them to feel better is by doing things that make others’ lives simpler. For instance, offering to clean up a park or beach, bringing dinner for an elderly person, or giving extra assistance at the grocery store are all ways they can contribute towards improving those around them and making their own life a little simpler too.
Due to the current economic recession and Black Lives Matter movement, many Karens feel overwhelmed and unable to care for themselves. This has resulted in many getting into legal disputes with police.
They feel powerless and helpless as a result, leading them to lose jobs or stop working altogether. These are just some of the reasons why they feel so helpless and powerless.
That is why it is so essential to strive to be a good person, kind to others, and helpful when possible. Not only will this make you a better person but it will also reduce the amount of rage or aggression that you express.
3. They are intolerant
Karens are a group of white transgender women who dress, speak and think similarly. Similar to ‘Chads’ or ‘Gammons’, Karens can be considered an evolution in white cis-gender woman identity.
They often combine white privilege and racial oppression, using it as a weapon against others. They may file police complaints against black people or post racist comments on social media platforms.
Psychological theories suggest Karens are intolerant and unwilling to accept other people’s differences due to their naivete and lack of empathy.
Their unwillingness to accept other people’s perspectives can lead them down a path of irrationality and overcritical thought processes. This in turn leads to feelings of fear or aggression towards those around them, sometimes even leading them to act out.
These traits could also be caused by insecurities and low self-esteem. They might have difficulty accepting people as different than themselves, leading them to believe they are not good enough.
But, it is essential to remember that Karens aren’t alone in this. There are many other groups who struggle with racism, classism and sexism as well.
When students at Oxford University demonstrated against climate change, they referred to themselves as the “Wall of Moms.” This group was seen as using their white privilege to join in on the movement.
Another example is ‘Coronavirus Karen,’ who refuses to wear face masks in shops and doesn’t believe the pandemic exists. Despite being subjected to an online sexism campaign, she continues to abuse her privilege against others.
This mentality led to the notorious ‘Central Park Karen,’ who refused to leash her dog while trying to birdwatch. Her sexism and misogyny were widely mocked, leading to changes in the law to discourage similar behaviors in future.
4. They are a spoiled brat
A spoilt brat is a child who displays ungratefulness and often acts in an selfish manner. These children tend to be challenging to raise and can put undue strain on their parents.
Spoiled children tend to have difficulty dealing with disappointment, particularly when they don’t get what they want. According to marriage and family therapist LeNaya Smith Crawford, these kids tend to take no for an answer and may throw tantrums more frequently than expected.
They may have difficulty accepting criticism from others, including their parents. If they’re always blaming others for their failures or don’t show their peers any appreciation when they win, psychologist Virginia Williamson suggests this behavior indicates they are likely a spoiled brat.
Some therapists believe these women may be acting out in an effort to achieve what they desire. According to Best Life magazine, these individuals may struggle with expressing their emotions and need for attention.
Karens often exhibit passive-aggression, making them unsuited to dealing with conflict or disagreements. For instance, they might leave notes in an effort to demonstrate their frustration to roommates or annoy them with sarcastic jokes.
It is the same with other aspects of their lives. If they lose an important exam or game, they might feel a sense of failure and need to express their anger in order to cope with it.
Denise Dudley, a psychologist, noted that these behaviors are indicative of their underlying feelings of worthlessness and lack of control. This could explain why “Karens” seem to elicit more social-media reactions than “Kens” — who typically don’t display such extreme reactions online.
Though not all spoiled brats are rude and entitled, it does suggest that some are. If you notice a pattern in your child’s behavior or words, it could be time to take a closer look at their actions.
5. They are entitled
Psychologists often believe that Karens act this way due to gender stereotypes. They think women are entitled to more privilege than men and should use their power for personal gain.
They believe it is wrong for someone to use their privilege to force another individual into doing something they are uncomfortable with, as this could lead to racial discrimination and violence against people of color.
The origins of the “Karen” meme remain uncertain, though some have speculated it might have come from a Dane Cook sketch in 2005 or an Amanda Seyfried film. Most likely though, it originated with an online post mocking middle-aged white women for always asking to speak with the manager, refusing to wear masks, and asserting their own entitlement.
These videos have become so popular that Instagram pages like @KarenSGoingWilds have been collecting footage of these overly-exuberant white women and posting it online. One video, known as “Barbecue Becky,” went viral when a white woman unjustifiably called the police on a black family for having a barbecue at a lake.
Feminists have condemned this behavior, arguing that it is sexist and based on class prejudice. Additionally, they asserted that our society has been coopted by white people, abandoning the values and beliefs of our ancestors.
Though these psychology theories can be helpful to some degree, they won’t explain why Karens act the way they do. Ultimately, each individual must determine what motivates them to act the way they do.
