Mary Arguelles 'Essay Money For Morality'

Thesis: Society is lacking a sense of respect for others due to their own narcissistic tendencies, creating a world where people are constantly seeking praise, expecting rewards, and lacking manners.
I. In a generation of social media, self-confidence, and “everyone is special” manifestations, there has been an increase in narcissistic personalities arising from the youth culture. A. Our culture has made things all about “me, me, me”, exemplifying very narcissistic perceptions of the surrounding world and of themselves. B. Doctor Jean M. Twenge, (a professor of psychology at San Diego State University) says in an article by Douglas Quenqua, “…parents praise every child as “special”, and feelings of self-worth are considered a prerequisite

Mary Arguelles essay, “Money for Morality” discusses the confusion of morals and motivation that many authoritative figures provide for their children as noted, “It seems the role models our children look up to these days – in this case, teachers – are more confused and misguided about values than their young charges

As Arguelles mentions in her essay, morality is given a monetary worth, no longer valued for the good deed itself.
III. In a society comprised of confused narcissists and morals only guided by incentives, we have thrown manners and morality out of the window. A. The general public has become a circus, crowded with disrespect and disregard for others, while only focusing on their own agenda. B. While only doing good things for others when there is a reward, our culture has become selfish and rude, helping only those who will provide them with materialistic benefits and disrespecting those who do not. C. In the documentary “Rude: Where Are Our Manners?” by CBC Television, journalist Judith Martin says, “‘…everybody should behave well’, meaning everyone should treat them politely, but for themselves it’s a different thing” (03:57-04:03).
Conclusion: The epidemic of lacking manners and morality starts young in society, being passed from parents and other authoritative figures to children, which without proper treatment, will go to join the masses of the ill-mannered and self-concerned