Selfishness In Teenagers

Teenagers are often perceived as selfish and many are self-absorbed, but some of their self-focused behavior is a result of insecurity. Navigating the hormonal teen years can be tough. Teens who are spoiled and overindulged often respond out of selfishness because they have been trained to put themselves first. However, in some cases, a teen struggles with her self-image and appears self-absorbed, when in reality she just needs reassurance that she is valuable.

  1. Entitlement and Indulgence

    • Some teenagers are selfish because their parents overindulge and spoil them. Without realizing the long-term implications, some parents cater to their teen's every whim, don't enforce rules and discourage responsible behavior. These teens feel entitled to material goods and privileges and expect to be treated as though their needs are most important. Unless parents teach unselfishness, accountability and a strong work ethic, teens often become self-absorbed and are ultimately less satisfied, says parenting expert Dr. Michele Borba, author of "The Big Book of Parenting Solutions."

    Lack of Awareness

    • Some teens are sheltered and don't realize that the world is full of people in need. Teens often act selfishly because they don't take the time, or have the opportunity, to see life from other points of view. Parents can help teach awareness by encouraging their teen to participate in community outreaches, such as food banks, animal shelters or soup kitchens. When a teen is exposed to poverty and homelessness, it can help him gain a better understanding of people's sufferings. He might be less likely to take his privileges for granted.

    Emotional Immaturity

    • A teenager typically becomes self-absorbed during her adolescent years because she doesn't have the confidence to engage on an emotional level, says licensed professional counselor Ugo Uche, on the "Psychology Today" website. As teens journey down the road of self-discovery, they struggle to find ways to contribute to society and often feel inadequate. People typically become more conscientious in their mid-20s, so many teens don't have the emotional capability to exchange selfish tendencies for more empathetic pursuits, remarks Uche.

    Social Norms

    • Today's teenager isn't so different from those in previous generations. Even though he has a cellphone and a computer that have changed the way he socializes and communicates, the teen still faces many of the same issues. He is basically the same as the teen of 30 years ago and is searching to find his personal identity. Stereotypes that define teens as selfish are much more overdrawn than the reality, says Michigan State University psychology professor Brent Donnellan on the university's website. Modern-day teens often get a bad wrap for being overly self-absorbed, but many are just trying to survive adolescence.

    2. Previous:

    Next: