Living with a Karen mother can be extremely tumultuous. These women frequently embarrass and insult others, tramp on their rights and cause mayhem wherever they go.
“Karen” has become a ubiquitous meme that refers to an archetypical middle-aged, white woman with bleach blonde bob and frequent requests to speak to management. Karen tends to be entitled, ignorant and closed-minded – all characteristics often associated with middle age and whiteness.
1. You’re a racist
The Karen meme has come under criticism as being racist and sexist; using an anonymous female name to portray women engaging in microaggression such as social policing or other forms of microaggression has been used as justification of microaggression against them; yet its intention may have less to do with race than gender.
Racist Karens include white partners who feel at ease dissing police who ask their black partners for ID, or insisting schools reopen so their kids can attend (despite People of Color being more at risk from receiving in-person instruction and contracting COVID-19 from in-person instruction). Racist Karens frequently use “what about the children” arguments as justification for their behavior and ignore any impact their actions might have on others – this type of entitlement often manifests itself through acts such as these.
2. You’re a narcissist
Others suggest the Karen meme has gained momentum as a result of millennial and Gen Z criticism of boomers for being stuck in outdated views on issues like gender equality, race equality, and youth culture. According to these critics, Karens often exhibit fear or hostility toward unfamiliar things or people like black children playing on the curb or Hispanic cashiers at grocery stores – an irony many don’t find amusing!
Karens can often use false victimhood to gain their way. For instance, they might make allegations to managers or call the police when they feel mistreated by others; such behavior can have devastating effects on their children, who often end up having low self-esteem, experiencing diminished accomplishments and feeling like an outsider due to being treated unfairly by society. It is essential for any leader dealing with Karens to recognize these signs so they don’t become targets themselves.
3. You’re a sexist
Karen (and its variants Becky and Felicia) have become the focus of online jokes in recent months, usually depicting an interfering white woman who takes for granted her privileges due to being white while treating minorities with an imperious and condescending attitude.
Karens are typically middle-class to upper-class women who drive minivans and participate in their local PTA and neighborhood watch groups. These women are known for demanding to “speak to the manager” or sporting certain haircuts and demands from store management.
Shaming Karen moms isn’t new, but has recently gained momentum since the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrity examples such as American abolitionist Harriet Tubman and Nobel Prize-winning Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai became more visible. Whatever their motive, this type of public humiliation aims to raise awareness for an overlooked group in our culture.
4. You’re a bully
Karens have long been notorious for demanding to speak to the manager or calling the police when they don’t get what they want, often using false victimhood to their advantage by alleging service workers or anyone they perceive to be of lower status than themselves had wronged them in some way. With the coronavirus pandemic occurring, this behavior became even more obvious with multiple viral videos showing women like “Central Park Karen” or “Costco Karen” throwing tantrums over being asked to wear masks or observe social distancing rules.
Karen can be an intimidating name to say aloud; but its definition makes it clear. When encountering Karens, it is crucial to recognize their behavior as bullying and examine your privilege in order to take appropriate steps against it.
5. You’re a jerk
Karens are known for their strong sense of entitlement and expectations of special treatment. Many Karens believe they are superior to other people and may judge those who do not share their views and beliefs, often being quite judgemental towards those who disagree with them. Furthermore, Karens can often be quite racist against individuals of different ethnicities.
They often possess an overwhelming need to satisfy themselves and become obsessed with self-gratification, using their privilege as an argument against those of color by calling the police over minor or even fake infringements.
Living with a Karen mom can be extremely trying. Their toxic drama will turn your everyday life into an existential struggle and cause embarrassment in social circles. Furthermore, this behavior may cause severe psychological damage to children as well as lead to mental health problems for themselves and the mother herself.
6. You’re a snob
Karens tend to be prudish, pushy and entitled. They love making demands of others and often view those who do not speak perfect English with contempt, disdain skateboarders and use their white privilege to demand exceptional service from restaurants and stores.
Lawnmower parents, often referred to as helicopter parents, take an aggressive stance when confronted with challenges their children might encounter. They accept any lies their children tell and cannot tolerate anything that doesn’t fall in line with their ideals.
Karens are usually female; however, any person engaging in toxic behaviors may also be called one. The term first gained widespread use following an online video that featured a white woman calling the police on a black man birdwatching in Central Park – sparking widespread outrage at that time – then used by online communities to shame other white people engaging in self-centered or racist behaviour.
7. You’re a hypocrite
Karens have long been seen as a source of contention, but this year their hypocrisy was exposed by an unfortunate set of events: Covid-19, school closures and George Floyd’s death at police hands have highlighted them as representatives of an entirely new type of moral hypocrisy.
Karen is typically an entitled middle-aged white woman with an aggressive nature who exudes suburban soccer mom tendencies. She can be pushy, corny and insensitive towards those around her; demanding to speak to management or calling the police when her wishes don’t get met.
Karen has become so well-known thanks to her tendency to play the victim card and grandiose narcissism which comes from being a privileged white woman – this trait alone is what has made Karen such a memorable meme.
8. You’re a snobby mom
Have you seen memes, viral videos and TikTok posts about white moms who embody Karen characteristics? They typically exhibit entitlement and demand to “speak with the manager”, play fast-and-loose with pseudoscience topics and often boast an asymmetrical bob haircut while frequently complaining about people who don’t meet their expectations.
Karens can also be quite racist and use their white privilege to the detriment of children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, Karens often resort to false victimhood claims by exaggerating or lying about being mistreated or abused by authority figures; sometimes turning to law enforcement out of anger. A Karen mother should never be around; signs you might have one are humiliating public shouting sessions against your presence in public and online spaces or when she shamelessly ridicules or insults you publicly or online.
9. You’re a snobby wife
Karen moms don’t care if their demands or actions harm others – including members of their own families. Instead, they’ll use insulting language against anyone who does not agree with them or refuses to follow their orders.
Karens have become a common target online as a derogatory term, especially as used against those who leverage their privilege against people of color; one woman was labeled one for calling the police over ketchup in a restaurant. But in this age of coronavirus outbreaks and subsequent vaccination campaigns, this term also covers many who exploit it as an excuse for unfair policing and punishing of people.
Karens can be either men or women, though the stereotype has become particularly popular among baby boomers who hold onto outdated views on race and youth culture. Here are a few telltale signs you might be living with one:
10. You’re a snobby friend
Karens have long been around, yet in recent years they’ve gained increased notoriety thanks to social media and stand-up comedy. Most Karens are middle-aged white women who display racist, closed-minded and ignorant beliefs – typically manifested through vocalise racism, vocal opinions on politics and open-mindedness issues and open displays of hostility toward minorities or other people’s opinions. A famous “Kidz Bop Karen” example can also be aggressive; for instance when she threw her car at Lyft driver and passenger.
Karens can be fearful and angry of anything new they encounter, including people from other ethnicities. Additionally, they tend to exaggerate their own accomplishments while downplaying yours – which makes for a toxic combination. Luckily there are ways you can identify and avoid Karens in your life; here are a few telltale signs to look out for.
