Immense Pressure from a Narcissistic Parent:
Experts like psychologists and psychiatrists have found that when children feel pressured to meet unrealistic standards by a narcissistic parent, they might believe their worth depends on how much they please that parent. It can lead to an adaptation; they become more focused on themselves, just like their narcissistic parent. There’s this theory called parental mirroring that fits in here. Psychologists discuss how kids need their parents to reflect on their feelings and experiences; it helps them develop a healthy sense of self. But if a narcissistic parent is only interested in their reflection, the child can feel neglected, like their feelings don’t matter, so they might learn to focus on themselves to cope.
Familial Competition:
A hierarchy takes shape when a narcissistic parent has more than one child; it’s like writing a story and assigning roles to each child, almost like characters in a book. You might have heard of the “Golden Child,” the family’s shining star; the narcissistic parent showers them with attention and praise. Then there’s the “scapegoat,” who tends to be on the receiving end of the narcissist’s anger and frustration; this role often falls on the second-oldest or the most outspoken child. Now, meet the “enabler,” who could be the other parent or even one of the daughters; they feed into the narcissist’s need for attention and admiration. Then the “surrogate parent” had to grow up fast; they’re responsible for caring for their siblings, almost like a mini-parent. Lastly, there’s the “mascot,” the youngest sibling; they’re the clowns in the circus, trying to distract everyone from the real issues. Psychologists believe these roles are according to birth order, appearance, and personality. Siblings might naturally compete for their parents’ attention, and if there’s a narcissist in the mix, this competition can get intense. This whole dynamic can lead to the development of narcissism in childhood.
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Environmental Factors:
Experts in psychology, like good old Sigmund Freud, have talked about how childhood experiences can significantly impact how we turn out as adults. When it comes to narcissism, the environment we grow up in plays a role. Imagine a kid who always receives praise for every little thing they do, like they’re the center of the universe. They might start thinking they’re extraordinary and deserve all the attention. That’s where the seeds of narcissism begin to grow. So, the environment in which a kid grows up could lead to narcissistic tendencies. Dr. Jean Twange, another psychologist, even talks about how our modern world, with social media and all, can fuel narcissism. When kids constantly get likes and followers for their posts, it can boost their ego even more. But not everyone who gets much attention as a kid turns into a full-blown narcissist; it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Nature (your genes) and nurture (your environment) also play a role.
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