Brian McLaughlin wonders (see here) if there is a correlation between the decline of Christianity in America and an increasing recognition that there is an epidemic of narcissism (thinking of self as central).
He’s on to something. . .
This article in Time Magazine is worth reading.
Generation Me
Raina Kelley, NEWSWEEK , From the magazine issue dated Apr 27, 2009
Growing up, my literary heroines were those who, like me, struggled to be good: Jo from "Little Women," Harriet the spy, Laura Ingalls and Pippi Longstocking. A strong-willed (and loud) child, I craved examples of unruly knuckleheads tethered to a loving family that encouraged us to be our best selves despite our natural inclinations. Precocious but naive, I thought of myself as an ugly duckling—misunderstood in my youth but destined for a beauty and stature completely impossible for my loved ones to comprehend. I shudder to think what a monster I would have become in the modern child-rearing era. Gorged on a diet of grade inflation, constant praise and materialistic entitlement, I probably would have succumbed to a life of heedless self- indulgence.
Click here for the whole thing.
Chris:
Isn’t it ironic that the same Newsweek which had this story on narcissism also put Eliot Spitzer on its cover with the caption, “Why did I do it?” Speaking of narcissism!