Are You Self-Centered?
Introduction
Each and every aspect of human life has its ethical concerns. In some aspects, an ethical code is formally featured in either organizational policies, constitution or any other form of a document. However, in the routine endeavor of human activities at the community level, most of the ethical responsibilities of the individuals do not need to be stipulated in hard copy. Every person in any given community has a moral obligation to conduct themselves, not necessarily in favor of others, but in a way that their actions do not negatively impact on others in the society or the environment (Alcantara et al. 2015). Respect is the major virtue that enhances ethical coexistence of human being. The youths in most cases are the population charged with the duty to demonstrate respect to their elders.
In most cases, the youths are portrayed as an arrogant group in the society. A group that only minds about its welfare while ignoring other peoples’ concerns. This, however, is a misconception that requires one to understand their behavior to make a conclusion rather than the assumption. To understand the youths, one will not just need to study their behavior, but also putting oneself in their situations and see in your mind's eye the reaction that would come as a result of it (Alcantara et al. 2015). The media portrays youths as being self-centered, this is however not the real case. The youths are a vibrant population in the society, whose contribution to the overall development is vital in achieving economic, social and cultural diversity.
Abstract
In this paper, various tool both theoretical and practical shall be used to display the youth as a population that is very important if not more important in the society. This shall be aimed at refuting the belief set forth by the media portraying youths as a selfish population in the society. These tools include the theories of development, focusing on youths’ developmental stage and other concepts. Theories and concepts will help understand youths’ behavior that could be misconceived as to mean without proper understanding.
Common logic shall be applied to discuss the rationale of the youths’ conduct and portray them as a population that is vital to the society. The focus shall be duo edged, in that, both the youths and the perceivers of their conduct shall be highlighted. Discussing the youths’ conduct shall not be solely sufficient to deploy them as a selfless group. If this is to be achieved, the perception of other groups in the society has to be reformed to allow them to see youths for what they are.
The real-life situations across the globe shall also be applied to enhance one's relationship of events with their motive. Youths have made headlines in the past with their devotion to promoting the various sectors influencing human life, such as politics, health, business, and other industries (Haerens, 2013). Their input in civil activism is a clear indication of selflessness among this crucial group. It is in the interest of every human being to improve their living standards. It, however, takes patriotism for individuals or a small group in the community to advocate for a better life, for leaders of integrity and the human rights (Alcantara et al. 2015).
Narcissism is the term used to describe persons who are more concerned with their achievements and disregard other people’s needs (Malcolm, 2014). These people feel their entitlement to the public or communal resources or other entities than others. They can be simply described as self-centered persons. The youths in this era are perceived to be more selfish than those in the earlier generations. That is, however, a topic for research and discussion. This, however, does not automatically doom the current youth generation as self-centered as portrayed in the media.
Self-centered persons are in most cases concerned with the material gain that comes with the actions that portray them as such. This includes money, image, heroism and fame. The moral obligation to the society is not among the issues that concern them. In the modern world, youths have initiated programs and projects that are so beneficial to the entire community (Creasy, 2013).. The entrepreneurial spirit has taken over the initially not so innovative cognisance. All these endeavors benefit the community and society at large in a wide spectrum. The use of social media might be primarily aimed at getting informed on the trends in the world amongst the youth (Malcolm, 2014). However, the underlying advantages that come with the heavy invasion of this platform are invaluable.
Understanding the Youth
Youths are a population that is already laying a foundation for their future as adults. To achieve success in life, this group of the population has to be vibrant in all aspects of life especially the economic part of it. It is the drive to achieve what they perceive as enough to depend on themselves that will at times portray them as a selfish lot. It is the most significant developmental stage of human life. Important changes that influence life in many ways are experienced by the youths. These changes include physical change, mental, cognitive, psychological, perception of life, social dimensions and other forms of changes.
In some situations, morality is relative. This depends on the motive behind a person’s conduct. Is it for the good or out of selfish benefit? (Malcolm, 2014). Until a person is given an opportunity to expound on why they do what they do, the conclusion should be reserved. This can be put in basic terms of one shall be innocent until proven otherwise. Putting one’s needs first is not a crime. It is the principle applied in many fields, especially the health sector. The providers’ safety comes first. This is however not termed as being self-centered.
The most important aspects that influence the relation of youths amongst themselves and other groups are the cultural, economic and social attributes. Several theories can be employed to relate youths’ conduct and the effects it has on their image and its implication for other groups and individuals such as friends and family. These theories include human behavior theories and theories of human development. These theories are illustrated below, and their elucidation used to explain youths’ behavior that otherwise would be taken the wrong way.
Theories of Development Relating Youths’ Conduct
Erikson’s psychosocial development theory
In Erik Erikson’s theory of human development, youths’ characteristics are mostly captured in the stage of identity versus role confusion and intimacy versus isolation. This, however, does not limit the youths into these boundaries. Some may appear on a stage below or beyond the two. Sexual development is important in determining the sincerity of conduct by the youths. It is at the onset of youth that sexual development is very intensive (Thomas, 2001). The relationship of sexuality and self-centered principles can be highlighted this theory. The guiding question in this would be; does that youth engage in sexually oriented behaviors for their selfish gains or the good of their peers and society?
Identity v. The role confusion concept has the Genital Stage in which the boys may tend to challenge their fathers in most of the decisions they make (Creasy, 2013).. Some of those decisions not only need to be those affecting them at an individual level. On the other hand, the girls will argue with their mothers for both issues that affect them and the family at large. How the sexual development impedes other aspects of the youth’s life is what will determine the direction to which their conduct points (Thomas, 2001). Most of the youthful persons are known to make sacrifices in their relationships with friends, family and other persons in the society. They feel the obligation to protect the persons they love either to maintain their image amongst their peers or for the good of coexisting.
Theories of Human Behavior
Cognitive theories
These theories are meant to explain youths’ behavior, and explain it reasonably. They would help explain the minds behind actions that the youth takes in different situations. The decisions that the youth make are usually predetermined by their thinking capacity. The life aspects that they give most attention and why they choose some over others can also be explained by the cognitive theories. Attention is one of the major concepts in cognitive theories. Lack of attention on certain issues, mostly those that do not concern the youth can be wrongly perceived as selfishness. In this concept, the developers state that attention is selective and as well limited.
To capture the youths’ attention into action, the external stimuli have to be presented in a way that the target youths are convinced that the actions will yield benefits. Such actions include engaging in the community work for the good of the whole society and engaging in sports to enhance harmony between communities. The youths should be allowed to choose what they would like to focus on both in their personal lives and as well in the community setting (Nichols et al. 2014). Selecting what they want to attend to will promote passion in doing it and hence the outcomes. The external stimulus that drive the youths’ response will promote their interest in undertaking the appropriate measures.
Personality theories
Personality is an important aspect of promoting selflessness in the human population. Personality theories can be used to relate individual’s activities and how the well-being of others gives insights to these actions. The defense mechanism is one of the major concepts of personality theories. Defense mechanism may be in response to other people’s agony or self-defense. It could be from various entities including physical and psychological factors. The person’s traits collectively bring out their overall personality.
Philanthropy, altruism, and other traits will play a huge role in determining the youths’ conduct concerning caring about others (Thomas, 2001). Not all people have these traits, and so not all of them will have a reflex action in portraying selflessness. It is not automatic that if a youth is an introvert they are self-centered. What they do for the good of others will matter most in this case that socializing.
Social psychology theories
Selfish traits are so much related to the social coexistence of people in a community setting. Social psychology theories are the most important theories that explain the rationale for people’s conduct about other people’s welfare. Social harmony has to precede selflessness in the society. This has to be founded on the way the community members bring up their children to youthfulness (Creasy, 2013). The various concepts in social psychological theories are highlighted to bring out the misconception and the reasons for their conduct as far as youths’ selfishness among youths is concerned
• Actor-observer bias
This concept attributes the actions of an individual to their outcomes. It also brings out the internal forces that contribute to the person's conduct. The concept also brings out the blame game that may arise to people’s action. People will tend to blame it on the situation at hand when the outcomes of their actions are negative. When other people’s action yields negative results, they may blame the individuals in question. In this case, blaming the youths for their presumed self-centered conduct might be way off the mark. The big question would be what those blaming are doing to portray themselves as selfless.
• Altruism
Altruism is a concept that helps explain why people make personal sacrifices for the others welfare. Altruism is the best term to explain selflessness. Altruistic individuals will jeopardize their well-being for the good of others. This is usually without concern for the benefits that the person making sacrifice gains. In real life setting, there are not so many individuals with these traits. The youths are not exceptional, but this, however, will not certify them as selfless nor will it doom them as self-centered.
People will help others due to many factors surrounding the specific event. These factors include a sense of duty, prizes, guilt and responsibility to do so. It might also be driven by the spirit of reciprocating a favor that has been done in the past. Lack of motivation can obstruct one's willingness to help others and thus be seen as a selfish individual.
• Compliance
Individual may act per the set principles in the society for the mere reason of complying. Selfishness in the society is a personal character trait that can be condensed by the rules set forth. This is not any different from the youths. Persuasion by parents or other older persons compels them to act despite their opinions or the gains(Haerens, 2013). A self-centered person may be turned generous and mindful of others by request from another. This is the case with most youths. The majority of them do not realize what need be done to promote other people’s welfare. However, once it has been brought to their attention, they invest energy and time to the course of action that has been set forth.
• Obedience
Despite youths being the majority population globally, they are a population under authority from different dimensions at the family level, community, and society(Thomas, 2001). This, therefore, calls for their obedience to all these forms of authority. Obedience compels them to act in a way that the outcomes benefit the family or community at large. This makes the youth a population that is least self-centered in the society. For the youths to perform, supervision might be required. In this case, passion, motivation and drive to act in other people's benefits are lacking. In other cases, the authority need not be around to observe the request or order being implemented. In most cases, youths are preoccupied with other activities hence disregard those that they feel don’t belong to them. This might ultimately be misconceived as selfishness and moral decadence.
Why Youths Are Presumed Self-Centered
• Ambition
Various factors lead to people making the conclusion and at times assumption that all youths are selfish and immoral. This might be as a result of the first impression that most youths give in various fields. The motives of their actions might lead to the perceivers making such conclusions about the individuals they come across. Among the traits that motivate youths to act in a certain way is ambition. In the quest to establish their careers, youths happen to be so vibrant in what they engage in. This may lead to them disregarding duties that concern other people's welfare and hence portray a self-centered characteristic.
• Capitalism
In the wake of capitalism, most people across the globe are more concerned with their welfare. Looking at it from an economic perspective, people want to gain as much as they can in business whether they overcharge others or not. This is in itself being self-centered. Most youths have been born and raised in this era, and so they have related to minding their gains without considering others(Haerens, 2013). It is said that every man for himself and God for all a good example of how deeply the vice of selfishness cuts. Earlier, communism brought people together, and most of the activities were conducted on a community basis. This allowed every person to be their brother’s keepers and hence promoted selflessness.
• Advocacy for human rights
Another factor that prompts people to perceive youths as a selfish population is the vibrant search for human rights. This is most common in learning institution and portrays youths as inconsiderate of the impact of their actions. Advocating for human rights is the most selfless act that man can engage in. In most cases, this advocacy is characterized by civil strife and collusion with the political system. When the youth demonstrates against vices such as justice obstruction or denial of human rights, they do it for the good of the whole society. This should be encouraged from all sectors to make the world a better place for the generations to come.
Crime is another vice that has prompted the media to portray youth as selfish population. The largest percentage of crimes committed globally, youth, are believed to be the perpetrators(Taylor, 2004). Every person that perpetrates any form of crime deserves to be labeled self-centered to say the least. Portraying the youth as such will not only demoralize them to do well but also make the other groups in the society wary of them. Abandonment and troubled childhood are the major factors that compel most of the youthful energy to be diverted in crime. Poor policies as far as youth employment is also concerned, inhibit the youths’ efforts to improve their lives(Taylor, 2004).
Fields youths are involved in that indicate they are not self-centered
Despite theoretically highlighting the rationale of youth’s action to indicate a selfless motive, there is existing proof that they are involved in a wide range of humanitarian and community development programs. One of these programs is sports. Most sports are usually dominated by the youth if not entirely occupied by them. Globalization has enhanced sporting activities in a huge way. Sports benefit the society in so many ways. It has enhanced international relations that in turn promote so many other aspects of life including innovation, diversity, economic development and others (Nichols et al. 2014).
In a community, youth sports not only promote health by discouraging a sedentary lifestyle but also promote harmony and communal sensation. It promotes respect amongst other people who do not even engage in active sporting(Nichols et al. 2014). This is enhanced by activities such as moving from the local community to play with the youths from another community. Both the players and those watching will create an association that promotes not only sporting but also other sectors like the trade. When people come together during the sporting activities, cultural and social diversity will be promoted as persons from different cultural background, race, religion and ethnicity shall be united.
Conclusion
We are living in the world of competition. All sectors require one to stand out from the others for them to be successful. It is not self-centered when the youth rush to grab the minimal opportunities on offer. The community has the responsibility to bring up responsible individuals to the society. In all platforms, youths are the most important tools for the attainment of set goals and objectives. This is due to their energy and spirit of exploration that enhances achievement of set organizational goals.
Curiosity is another aspect that can be exploited to make the best out of the youth. Unified, the youth can achieve so much in life. This goes beyond personal material benefits but also earn respect and self-satisfaction. Authorities should be in a position to develop responsible subjects out of the youths by controlling factors that promote narcissism amongst them(Haerens, 2013). These factors include the internet, capitalism nature of human existence and other aspects of modern life. Selfishness and moral decadence can be costly at personal, community and society level. The system of education can also be used to control this vice.
References
Alcantara, L., Harper, G. W., & Keys, C. B. (2015). “There’s Got to Be Some Give and Take”: Community Partner Perspectives on Benefits and Contributions Associated with Community Partnerships for Youth. Youth & Society, 47(4), 462-485. Doi: 10.1177/0044118X12468141
Haerens, M. (2013). Juvenile crime. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
Creasy, G. (2013). Adolescent development and school achievement in urban communities: Resilience in the neighborhood. New York, NY: Routledge.
Malcolm, L. (2014). Research says young people today are more narcissistic than ever. Retrieved 3rd September 2015; http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/young- people-today-are-more-narcissistic-than-ever/5457236
Nichols, G., Taylor, P., Barrett, D., & Jeanes, R. (2014). Youth sport volunteers in England: A paradox between reducing the state and promoting a Big Society. Sport Management Review, 17337-346. doi:10.1016/j.smr.2013.09.001
Taylor, G. (2004). Youths serving youths in drug education programs. Lanham, Md.: ScarecrowEducation.
Thomas, R. (2001). Recent theories of human development. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
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