Ricopathy, the syndrome of the rich child
A symptomatology presented by some children from affluent families.
The rich kid syndrome or "ricopathy" is not a disorder that is a direct consequence of growing up in a wealthy family, but is a phenomenon that affects children from wealthy and middle-class families. It is related to the child being spoiled and spoiled throughout his or her life, which often leads to various future problems.
The education that children receive is important for their future emotional development.
Therefore, it is not a condition associated with class, is not a condition associated with social class, but it does influence the education given to a child by the parents.. Sometimes we see parents, whether rich or not, who seek to make up for the lack of time and attention by buying gifts for their children, or we see parents who put excessive pressure on their children to stand out from the rest.
In these situations, the behavior of the parents, in many cases by being overprotective and in others by giving access to too many material goods, leads to different problems in the emotional development of the child. This educational style will manifest itself in boys and girls in different ways: psychological (stress, disinterest, aggressiveness, behavioral disorders, anxiety) or physical (headaches, vomiting, diarrhea).
Children who are idle, lazy and not very tolerant to frustration.
The concept ricopathy The concept of ricopathy stems from a book by Harvard University professor Ralph Minear called "The child who has too much of everything". In this book, the author the author states that:
"The child who has been pampered all his life, may become seriously troubled later in life, as well as having difficulties of an emotional nature. Some consequences are: excessive consumption of alcohol or marijuana, discriminatory treatment of others and serious behavioral problems, or a lazy attitude and low tolerance to frustration, for never having to worry about earning things and always having received what they wanted".
What are the parents of children with rich kid syndrome like?
In the same book, Minear narrates the characteristics of parents whose children suffer from ricopathy. The parents usually meet at least several of these points:
- They tend to give gifts to their children usually expensive at times other than birthdays, Christmas, or as a result of some award (for example, having passed all the subjects).
- Constantly giving gifts of the latest model of technological products without any essential need and without any effort. For example, buying the latest model of Iphone when he has the previous one and does not need it.
- Postponing family expenses in order to satisfy your children's whims. For example, buying a new car (when you already have one that works well) because your child constantly asks for it.
- Giving money to your children without it being a reward or a good deed.
- Signing children up for multiple daily activities and putting too much pressure on them to be better than the rest: guitar lessons, dance, dance, etc.
- Leaving children in the care of someone elses most of the day and not meeting their emotional needs.
- Making up for their lack of attention with material gifts. material gifts.
- Being excessively overprotective and not being rigid enough when the child does something wrong.
These are just some of the characteristics that can cause the rich kid syndrome, but the motivations of the parents are often varied. Many times it has to do with the hectic pace of work that does not allow them to spend the necessary time to educate their children in the right way.
Children who have it all but feel empty
Unfortunately, even though these parents may think that giving them everything and not being as strict as they need to be with their children is an act of love, in the long run this becomes an act of love, in the long run this becomes a negative consequence for the children.. Children have to learn to earn things and to suffer when necessary in order to continue to grow as people. Being overly protective and giving them everything thinking they will be happy will only turn them into people who will not be able to tolerate frustration and will not be able to postpone their cravings. Therefore, when they grow up and face the harsh reality, they may end up suffering from this lack of learning.
Parents, on many occasions, think that this type of behavior is good parenting, because no one wants their child to have a bad time. But getting things done on their own, struggling, trying hard, and even having a hard time when they have to have a hard time, is a valuable learning experience that helps the child develop psychologically and ethically, is a valuable learning experience that helps the child to develop psychologically and ethically..
Conclusion: to love one's children is to set limits.
In summary, children who have everything and who do not need to make an effort to get the things they want, always want more and better because they are at a stage of egocentric thinking.. Just think of a teenager whose parents buy him a high-end BMW. If at some point he has to get rid of that vehicle, he probably won't be happy with a regular car.
Experts have long warned parents of the dangers of spoiling a child. And although no one doubts that depriving a child of what he or she desires is not pleasant, values are learned through experience. The family is the socializing agent that will have the greatest influence on the child's development and, therefore, parents should know that frustration is also part of the child's overall learning process, parents should know that frustration is also part of the child's overall learning process..
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)