SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27 A U.S. psychologist says efforts to boost children's self-esteem has resulted in a generation of narcissistic college students.
A study led by San Diego University psychologist Jean Twenge warns that the over-inflated egos could result in personal and social problems for the Millennial Generation, also called Gen Y, the Los Angeles Times reported.
People with an inflated sense of self tend to have less interest in emotionally intimate bonds and can lash out when rejected or insulted, the report said. Twenge says part of the problem can probably be traced to the self-esteem programs adopted by elementary schools two decades ago, when nursery schools began to have children sing songs that proclaim: I am special, I am special. Look at me.The report said permissive parenting, increased materialism and the fascination with celebrities and reality TV shows are factors in the ego boom.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
