Ricopathy, the rich kid syndrome

He rich kid syndrome o "Richopathy" is not a disorder that is a direct consequence of growing up in a wealthy family, but rather a phenomenon that affects children from wealthy and middle-class families. It has to do with the child who has been spoiled and spoiled throughout his 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 social class, but it does influence the education that a child is given by the parents. Sometimes we see parents, whether they are rich or not, who seek to make up for the lack of time and attention by buying gifts to their children, or we see parents putting excessive pressure on their children to excel rest.

In these situations, the behavior of the parents, in many cases for being overprotective and in others for giving access to too many material goods, leads as a consequence 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, lack of interest,

aggressiveness, behavioral disorders, anxiety) or physical (headaches, vomiting, diarrhea).

Idle, lazy children with little tolerance for frustration

The concept ricopathy arises as a result of a book by a professor at Harvard University, Ralph Minear, called: "The boy who has everything in excess”. In this book, the author the author states that:

“The child who has been pampered all his life may have serious problems later in life, as well as emotional difficulties. Some consequences are: excessive consumption of alcohol or marijuana, discriminatory treatment towards others and serious behavior problems, or a lazy attitude and not very tolerant of frustration, for never having to worry about earning things and having always received what he has darling".

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. Parents They usually meet at least several of these points:

• They often give gifts to their children. generally expensive at times that are not birthdays, Christmas, or the result of some award (for example, having passed all the subjects).

• Consistently give away state-of-the-art technological products without any essential need and without involving any kind of effort. For example, buying him the latest model of Iphone when he has the previous one and doesn't need it.

• Postpone family expenses to be able to fulfill the whims of their children. For example, buying a new car (when you already have one that works well) because your son constantly asks for it.

• Give money to your children without implying a reward or a good deed.

• Engage children in multiple daily activities and put too much pressure on them to be better than the rest: guitar lessons, dance, dancing, etc.

• Leaving children in someone else's cares most of the day and not meeting your emotional needs.

• Make up for your lack of attention with gifts material type.

• Being excessively overprotective and not being rigid enough when the child does something wrong.

These are just some of the characteristics that can cause rich kid syndrome, but parental motivations often vary. On many occasions they have to do with the hectic pace of work that does not allow them to spend the necessary time to educate their children in the correct way.

Children who have everything but feel empty

Unfortunately, despite the fact that these parents may think that giving them everything and not being as strict with their children is an act of love, In the long run this becomes a negative consequence for the little ones.. Children have to learn to earn things and suffer when necessary to continue growing as people. Being excessively protective and giving them everything thinking that this way they will be happy will only turn them into people who they will not know how to tolerate frustration nor will they be able to postpone their cravings. Therefore, when they grow up and face harsh reality, they may end up suffering from this lack of learning.

Parents, on many occasions, think that this type of behavior is from a good father or a good mother, because nobody wants their child to have a bad time. But to achieve things by themselves, fighting, making an effort and even having a hard time when they have to have a hard time, It is valuable learning that helps the child to develop psychologically and ethically..

Conclusion: loving children is setting limits

In summary, the children who have everything and who do not need to work to get the things they want, always want more and better because are in a stage of egocentric thinking. Just think of a teenager whose parents buy a high-end BMW. If at some point he has to get rid of that vehicle, he may not be happy with a normal car.

Experts have long warned parents of the dangers of spoiling a child. And although no one doubts that depriving a child of what she wants is not pleasant, values ​​are learned through experience. The family is the socializing agent that will have the most influence on the development of the child and, therefore, parents should know that frustration is also part of the child's overall learning.