‘You Owe Me’: Examining The Generation Of Entitlement -By Ikpang Sunday

Definition of Entitlement.

What is entitlement? Entitlement is the act of giving or the state of having a title or claim to something; even without you working for it.

General Observation

The issue of entitlement is an issue that is causing a lot of devastation in many people’s life. The mentality of entitlement is a leading factor; hindering socio-economic growth, political and religion stability. In this case briefly for example many young people, youths to be precise had allowed the mentality of entitlement to hinder their God given potentials to be effective and be responsible. I will say also drugs and other social vices is crumbling the systems, because of myopic mindset of entitlement.

Example of Entitlement Mentality

Our mindset places a vital role in this issue of entitlement. A lot of people had allowed what they are entitled to reduce their efficiency and their potentials. Many examples can be listed here for clarity;

•The decision to depend on government assisted programmes like palliatives and creating of funds to help household, had made some individuals to avoid doing something reasonable for themselves.

•Another funny but serious example is on the mineral resource endowment, which had made many community youths to depend solely on, and if these resources are needed by the government for important use, then, an opportunity is being grab here to collect commission from government officials, if not they will be deprivation of excavation.

• Many young people had also allowed the mentality of their parents wealth or inheritance to make them unproductive believing; their parents wealth is enough to sustained them even after death.

•Conflict in marriages as a result of gender equality where a woman is expected to be treated as a queen and importantly with reservations.

•The mentality of ‘you owe me’ had made some citizen flaws rules with the fact that they are entitled to payment of monthly salaries from the government, even if they did not go to work.
•Another example is of the drugs users and traffickers who claimed to be immune to arrest or harassment, because they entitle to god fathers who are well-to- do.

Danger of Entitlement Mentality

As we list typical examples of entitlement mentality which appears to be innocent in the making but very devastating, let us not forget also the impending dangers. Here are some impending dangers;
When young people decide to become ineffective to their self, family and society, because what they think they are entitle to; there is a horrifying danger of hooliganism, laziness and all kinds of social vices. The level of divorcement in marriage will continue to be at high increase, because partners will be competing instead of complementing theirselves. And another impending danger is that lawlessness will be in the increase when government laws and order are violated.
Profit of mineral resources most time ends in few individual hands, because, there is a belief they had been deprived of the benefits, so, they hold tenaciously to anything that falls into their custody. Marginalization of minority groups can lead to irresolvable conflicts; when the issue of entitlement mentality is introduced by majority group.

How To Address The Evolving entitlement mentality.

Parents must discipline their children to obey the law of their country and also give them home training to prepare their mind against any illegality; when leaving home and also encourage their children in extra curriculum activities, which will help mould them responsibly. Proper orientation should be given to citizens of their roles and the role and important mineral resource any where it is deposited; thus it is for the development of the community and the entire nation at large.

Ikpang Sunday is an author/screenplays/articles/short stories writer and a poet.
He can be reached from this contacts: 08080953711,09061983678.
WhatsApp number: 09011866308