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Ricopathy, rich child syndrome

Ricopathy, rich child syndrome

February 27, 2024

The rich child syndrome or "ricopatía" is not a disorder that is a direct consequence of growing up in a wealthy family, but it is a phenomenon that affects children from rich and middle class families. It is related to the child who has been spoiled and spoiled throughout his life, which usually leads to different future problems.

The education that the children receive is important for their future emotional development

So, it is not a condition associated with social class, but it does influence the education given to a child by parents . Sometimes we see parents, whether rich or not, who seek to make up for the lack of time and attention by buying gifts for their children, or we see parents who push their children too much to stand out from the rest.


In these situations, the behavior of parents, in many cases for being overprotective and in others for giving access to too many material goods, leads to various problems in the emotional development of the child. This educational style will be manifested in boys and girls in different ways: psychological (stress, disinterest, aggressiveness, behavior disorders, anxiety) or physical (headaches, vomiting, diarrhea).

Children idle, lazy and not tolerant to frustration

The concept richness It arises from a book by the professor at Harvard University, Ralph Minear, called: "The child who has everything in excess." In this book, the author the author states that:


"The child who has been spoiled all his life, can have serious problems later in his life, as well as emotional difficulties. Some consequences are: excessive consumption of alcohol or marijuana, discriminatory treatment towards others and serious behavioral problems, or a lazy attitude and little tolerance for frustration, for never having to worry about earning things and having always received what He has wanted".

How are the parents of children with rich child syndrome

In the same book, Minear narrates the characteristics of parents whose children suffer from affliction. Parents usually meet at least several of these points :

  • They usually give gifts to their children generally expensive at times that are not birthdays, Christmas, or fruit of a prize (for example, having passed all subjects).
  • Constantly give out state-of-the-art technology products without any need and without any effort. For example, buy the latest model of Iphone when you have the previous one and do not need it.
  • Postpone family expenses to be able to fulfill the whims of their children. For example, buy a new car (when you already have one that works well) because the child asks for it constantly.
  • Give money to your children without it being a reward or a good deed.
  • Target children to multiple daily activities and press them too much to be better than the rest: guitar lessons, dance, dance, etc.
  • Leaving children in the care of another person It's most of the day and does not cover your emotional needs.
  • Supply your lack of attention with gifts of material type.
  • Being overly protective and not being stiff enough when the child does something wrong.

These are only some of the characteristics that can cause the syndrome of the rich child, but the motives of the parents are usually varied. Many times they have to do with the busy pace of work that does not allow them to spend the time necessary to educate their children in the right way.


Children who have everything but feel empty

Unfortunately, although these parents may think that giving them everything and not being as strict as they have to be 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 to suffer when necessary to continue growing as people. To be excessively protective and give them everything thinking that they will be happy will only turn them into people who will not tolerate frustration and will not be able to postpone their cravings. Therefore, when they grow up and face the harsh reality, they may end up suffering from this lack of learning.

The parents, in many cases, think that this type of behavior is a good father or a good mother, because nobody wants their son to have a bad time. But getting things for themselves, fighting, struggling and even having a bad time when you have to have a bad time, it is a valuable learning that helps the child develop psychologically and ethically .

Conclusion: to love children is to set limits

In short, children who have everything and do not need to strive to get the things they want, always want more and better because they are in a stage of egocentric thinking . You just have to think of a teenager whose parents buy him a high-end BMW. If at some point you have to get rid of that vehicle, you 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 he wants is not pleasant, values ​​are learned through his own experience. The family is the socializing agent that is most influential in the development of the child and, therefore, Parents should know that frustration is also part of the child's overall learning .

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