When "I Have Kids" Becomes an Excuse for Entitlement

We've all experienced those moments in public spaces where common courtesy seems to fly out the window. A recent story shared on Reddit highlights just how prevalent entitled behavior can be, especially when it comes to parents who believe having children grants them special privileges.

The Incident

The story begins in a busy shopping mall with malfunctioning elevators - a scenario many of us can relate to. With 3 out of 4 elevators out of order, a queue had formed for the single working lift. A young woman, patiently waiting her turn, suddenly found herself being pushed aside by children trying to board first.

What happened next exemplifies the entitled behavior that seems increasingly common:

"The mum comes along, puts her hand up telling my gf to stop and goes 'sorry i have kids' and push past her to get into the lift along with the dad. By the time the family went in and my gf wanted to step into the lift, it was full alr. She was supposed to go in first but bc of the kids she had to wait for the next lift so she decided to just take the escalator."

This incident sparked a heated discussion online about parental entitlement and the values being passed down to younger generations.

The Community Response

The Reddit thread quickly filled with comments from frustrated individuals who have witnessed similar behavior. Many pointed to broader societal issues and parenting trends:

"I lowkeyyyyyy feel like kids nowadays (gen alpha) has got zero respect for others (or maybe they lack social/ surrounding awareness) 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫" - sakuraxwhiskey

This sentiment was echoed by numerous responders, with one bluntly stating:

"Mostly it's the parents themselves that are the problem for not teaching properly. Shit keeps breeding more shit." - KagenSJWLim

Other commenters pointed to generational issues:

"I see it as the entitled boomer generation that's the OG of this behaviour. The level of indignance, self-centeredness and obnoxiousness that comes from the merdeka/pioneer generations, bred to have the thickest skin and no shame whatsoever, the kids never stood a chance." - yomatilloz

The Core Issue: Entitlement

At the heart of this discussion is the notion that having children somehow entitles people to special treatment or exemption from basic social courtesies. As the original poster eloquently put it:

"To the parents of the kids, just bc you have kids, doesn't mean the whole world has to accommodate to you."

This sense of entitlement doesn't just affect those directly involved - it shapes how children understand their place in society. One commenter who identified as working in hospitality shared their perspective:

"Entitlement in this day and age of society has gotten way out of hand, and the enablers are society itself. Everyone has been conditioned to be accommodating and understanding of those who may have to go through challenges (in this case, having to take care of kids) and they will gaslight and guilt trip you to the core if they have to, just so they can get what they want." - cr0wnest

A Societal Problem?

Some commenters attributed the behavior to broader societal issues:

"These problems are product of 6 million people in a small island." - SnooDingos316

Another commenter cynically suggested this behavior is actually preparing children for a competitive future:

"This will become normal behavior when the population reaches 6.9 million or more, as people will have to compete just to avoid being left behind. In a way, this parent is preparing their kids early by teaching them essential life skills." - One_Ad964

Finding Solutions

While many commenters expressed frustration, others suggested practical approaches to dealing with such situations:

"Just keep pressing the lift button and don't let it close. Happened to me before and I did that. Everytime it opened i go 'eh sorry i thought the door closed'. I did it three times before the next lift reaches my floor then i went up by the other lift." - sukequto

Others advocated for simply avoiding the confrontation:

"Take escalator, its faster. Usually lifts are filled with abled people, i just take the escalator with the stroller. Not worth the stress, just move on." - Destrucko

The Bigger Picture

This story, while seemingly minor, reflects deeper issues about how we treat each other in public spaces and what values we're passing on to the next generation. When parents use their children as justification for breaking social norms and courtesy, they teach those same children that rules don't apply equally to everyone.

Perhaps the most important takeaway is captured in this comment:

"It's incorrect upbringing. Values are hereditary" - TimmmyTurner

As we navigate increasingly crowded public spaces, the values we demonstrate - whether patience, courtesy, or entitlement - will inevitably be the same ones our children inherit and carry forward.