W.E. Krill, Jr. M.S.P.C.

    Many folks talk about the downfall of culture in America, citing many aspects of this genuine issue. My theory is that one of the biggest issues is ‘Entitlement Attitude‘.  It is a prevalent aspect of our culture, and it often goes so unchallenged as to be now an expected (and accepted) aspect of culture. It is perhaps the core of what is known outside of the USA as the ‘ugly American’.

    From celebrities who feel entitled to expose their immoral lifestyles and glorify them in the media, to music idols that feel entitled to trash hotel rooms, to the average Joe who feels they can beat the heck out of the rental car just because they rented it, or the teen who feels entitled to damage the property of a church retreat center, Entitlement Attitude is truly ‘ugly’.

    The Entitlement Attitude does not stay contained, like a virus, it morphs into other things. Like parents who, having overindulged their child to the point of turning them into spoiled Princes and Princesses, will step up to defend their child and make excuses for them even when the child is clearly in the wrong. Instead of making the child face the situation and be responsible, they turn the accusations towards others, or simply buy off the problem. Gone are the days when if a child did something wrong at the neighbor’s house down the block, their parent knew about it and was waiting to correct the child before the child even arrived home. And, the parent would back up the adult who made the complaint, not make excuses for the kid. And then march the kid back to the neighbor's house to post an apology.

    Entitlement is basically classism and imagined specialness: ‘I am more privileged than you, I am more special than you, and the common rules of civility and consequence do not apply to me’. It means: ‘I can be as late as I want to meetings, I do not have to meet the requirements that are expected or that all other people have to do, but still expect the reward, certificate, grade, raise, promotion, or degree.’

    Many things can serve to enhance and encourage the Entitlement Attitude, like a bunch of letters after your name, social status, political positions, and of course, perhaps the biggest one of all: money. But these do not have to create Entitlement Attitude. That's why one of my daily prayers is:  'Lord, keep me humble, forever in Your sight.'

    As a believer, I understand that I am entitled to nothing in this life. Nothing. Everything I have ever had, have now, or ever will have, including possessions, education, opportunities, money, relationships, love, and especially forgiveness are all gifts from God. And so for me,  the antitheses of the Entitlement Attitude is the Grateful Attitude. And perhaps one of the most important things that I am grateful for is that I know that I am not entitled. And knowing that is key in loving my neighbor as myself.