With a seeming increase in narcissism, researchers are starting to wonder: What happens when a generation of narcissists becomes parents?
“We very rarely study the parents’ narcissism and then predict what will happen to the kids,” said Keith Campbell, a professor of psychology in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Narcissistic parents have high expectations of their children, pushing them to excel in all areas. They also tend to believe their children are “special” and worthy of exceptional opportunities and treatment.
“One thing you would see with narcissistic parents is using their kids as a route to self-advancement,” Campbell told The Washington Post. “As a narcissistic parent, you look good and feel good because of the success of your kid. The same way that a narcissist can have a trophy spouse, you can have a trophy kid.”
