Weak parenting of boys is creating a generation of entitled brats who think they are owed the world and can lash out in violence when they do not get their way, adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg has said.

Mr Carr-Gregg has worked with families for three decades and said he was seeing an unmistakable increase in disrespectful and contemptuous boys who had a false belief they were flawless.

He said it stemmed from boys being raised to see the world, “as one giant, personalised, all-singing, all-dancing, 24/7 catering service exclusively for them”.

“I do lay [responsibility] at the feet of parents,” he told News Breakfast.

“I know that’s not a popular thing to do and people will call me a parent-basher but parents are actually becoming, in my view, weaker than ever before.”

Tips for raising empathetic boys

  • Show your son that you love him whether he wins or loses.
  • Let your boys experience adversity.
  • Foster a relationship with a supportive, charismatic adult.
  • Let him take responsibility for his contribution to disappointing outcomes.
  • Be your own hero. Don’t live vicariously through your son.
  • Never put up with intimidating or violent behaviour — even if it seems trivial.
  • Seek professional help if violence, mental illness of substance abuse are interfering with development.

Source: The Prince Boofhead Syndrome book

– Patrick Wood

Read More: ‘Weak’ Parents are Raising a Generation of ‘Prince Boofhead’ Boys

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