I happened upon the setup for a Sweet Sixteen today in my travels at a local Community Organization, and have to admit to being a bit of a noisy Parker, wanting to sneak a peek at each of the spaces they were transforming into what reminded me of a something from a Disney Winter Palace for a teen Princess. It was really something else, as I am sure will be the actual party later today. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
The establishment I was at I was not a part of, but I did hear the community’s opinions – both favourable and unfavourable. Part of me wanted to tell people to mind their business and just let the family enjoy their day, but it did get me thinking as I wandered home. The flowers and decorations, from what I saw would have amounted to a sizable down payment on a house, and that’s before the food, entertainment, facility rental … etc. All for a Sweet Sixteen. What would this kid’s wedding look like later on?
This got me wondering, by giving our kids so much at such a young age, are we giving them unrealistic expectations from life? Is this what creates some of the self-entitlement issues that we are currently facing in the Western World?
Feel free to weigh in. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Kisses,
Emme xoxo
Pamela Morse says
There are those who believe that by emphasis on materialism, we spoil or distort children. I believe that much more emphasis needs to be placed on the material part of living. If the mass quantities of stuff that are constantly being disguarded at an ever increasing rate were really considered, most would never be purchased. By spending time and money carefully choosing a much smaller number of things of a vastly higher quality, our material lives would improve. The sheer waste is the issue. It is not really materialistic to waste….it is just stupid.
Emme says
A very good observation Pamela.