Spoiled or Spoiled Rotten?

Spoiled. Overindulged. Rotten. Brat. From the moment a child is born, his behavior is impacted by the actions of those around him.  Some parents love their kid so much they cannot even think of saying no to anything he or she asks.  They never want to set him down, and before they know it, their child screams and cries every second they are away.  Parents who spoil their child with endless toys and attention create greed and selfishness. A spoiled child learns to accept nothing less than the best.  However, some parents know how to pamper their child without giving in to his every want or need.  They learn to instill a strong work ethic in their child and love him without overindulging him.  A spoiled person can be perceived as one who is bossy and gets whatever he or she pleases. It can also be viewed as one who is more fortunate than the average person, but is grateful for all he or she receives; however, the way spoiled is often used can be hurtful to those who have the drive and motivation to work for themselves.

A child demands that her mother buy the new Barbie doll complete with a “Dream House.”  The moment her mother says no, she begins kicking and screaming in the middle of the toy store aisle, making a scene in front of everyone.  “I hate you,” she screams as tears stream down her beet-red face.  Her mother, who has not said “no” in a long time, caves and buys the toy for her daughter, not realizing she has created a monster.  Many parents who overindulge their children do not recognize the harm they are doing to them by teaching their children it is okay to manipulate others to get what they want.  They need to discipline their children to set them up for success in the future.

Many people treat their pets like their children and a member of their family.  Similar to parents who overindulge their children, people who spoil their pets teach them to take advantage of others.  Barking at the dinner table, spinning in circles, jumping on the kitchen counter to steal food, and eating right out of their owner’s hands, dogs learn that their behavior is acceptable and even funny.  Like parenting, training pets teaches them to respect authority and be polite.  However, when they are constantly spoiled, they learn that it is okay to misbehave and refuse to listen.  Those people must learn to love their pets while still disciplining them and maintaining respect.

The term spoiled comes with the image of a bratty kid who gets whatever she wants at the snap of her fingers.  Many people associate it with wealthy families who are too busy to discipline their children, even though they might not know the families or their circumstances.  When a teenager wears something fancy or expensive, others judge him or her and assume the parents must have “paid a pretty penny” for that outfit.  Children who attend private schools are often considered spoiled simply because they have the opportunity to go to that school.  People unfairly assume that these kids will never have to work hard for anything in their lives.  As a student at a private school, I do not appreciate the use of “spoiled brat” simply because of where one comes from.  I work hard in school to maintain good grades, am very dedicated to my sports, and do not get anything just handed to me; I pay for many of my clothes and often babysit to make extra money.  I realize that I am fortunate to live such a privileged life and am grateful for all my parents do for me.  Although my parents may sometimes spoil me, I never expect to get everything I want without working for it because they continue to enforce the value of hard work and dedication.  While many of these stereotypes are false, some people embody this persona perfectly.  Through flashy and arrogant behavior, they show off their wealth and flaunt the idea of being spoiled.  Some kids will post pictures of their brand new cars or watches to show that their parents will do anything for them.  One may look at “spoiled” much different than “spoiled rotten” or “spoiled brat.”  The spoiled child realizes he or she is fortunate and blessed for all he or she receives, while the spoiled brat takes advantage of others to get what he or she wants and will only have it his or her way.  The label of a spoiled brat is offensive and hurtful for one who appreciates all he or she receives and works hard to accomplish his or her goals.  My parents tell me if I work hard, I will be able to accomplish anything I put my mind and heart into.  My father knew he wanted to be a doctor since he was a young child, but his parents could not afford college and medical school.  He attended Stanford University for both undergraduate and medical school and paid it off through years of student loans.  Many people do not realize how much work he put into it when they look at the extravagant lifestyle he has given my family.  They often consider us “spoiled,” but they do not always look at the hardships behind his accomplishments.  Even if a person comes from a wealthy background, he may work hard on his own merit for his accomplishments.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, “spoil” is to damage or destroy the quality of something. It can be stripping one of goods and valuables or taking by force.  Etymology Online explains that, originally from the Old French word espillier and Latin word spoliare, which is to strip, uncover, and lay bare, the word gradually transformed into the English description of Christ’s disturbing idea of Hell.  By the 1640s, the meaning “to destroy or ruin” turned into “over-indulge” because one who spoils his or her child is destroying that child’s behavior, attitude, and work ethic (“Spoil”).  The word’s association with becoming tainted or going bad developed in the 1690s and creates the idea of spoiled fruit.  The fruit is like a spoiled child; once it has gone bad it will remain rotten.  

Dictionary.com explains that spoils are also something valuable or desirable one receives by working or trying hard.  Many people do not seem to see this concept when they think of “spoiled.”  They often see the exact opposite.  Today, “spoiled” is viewed as one who gets everything he or she wants without working for it.  According to Merriam-Webster, the spoils can also be referred to as booty, or the goods captured in war (“Spoil”).  In Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow is constantly searching for the spoils of the treasure.  The stolen goods are like a spoiled child, whose “treasured” attitude is stolen from him or her by greed.  A child is robbed of his or her innocence and goodness as one can be robbed of wealth in war.

Parents who spoil their children set them up for disappointment and helplessness in the “real world.” They teach their children that it is okay to control others to comply to their every need. Their children never learn to share and constantly think they are better than their peers. However, those who instill a driven mindset in their children teach them to develop on their own and make it much easier to communicate with others.  The connotation of “spoiled rotten” is hurtful to those who are taunted for being fortunate by others who are simply jealous.  While some people flaunt their wealth and love their “spoiled” reputation, others want to work hard to create a name of their own.

Works Cited

Kam, Katherine. "Are Your Children Spoiled Rotten? Fits, Tantrums, and Other Signs." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.

"Spoil." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.

"Spoil." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.

"Spoil." Online Etymology Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2015.