entitlement

there seems to be a disease running rampant among people these days -- people feel entitled for rewards, compensation, or praise for every accomplishment, whether big or small.
today, our seniors have evidently planned their "senior skip day." when they found out that the teachers were told to plan assessments today, they whined. "i think the school should let us have some fun. we're seniors."
really? because you've made it through high school, teachers should jump and down and say "go forth! skip school! your education isn't necessary!"
by the way - our school does provide the seniors with a senior field trip and a senior picnic, both funded by the school and both provided on school days. evidently that's not enough, though.

there are numerous other examples but my main point is -- people feel like they can't just DO something great, unless there's some great reward at the end. how about self-fulfillment? knowledge? pride?

don't get me wrong. i like praise as much as the next person. but i don't EXPECT it. if i have a great lesson or prove myself as a teacher, i don't feel entitled to praise from my principal. and i don't feel rejected without it.