Princess sickness
Template:Contains Korean text Template:Contains Chinese text
Princess sickness (alternatively known as princess syndrome, Chinese: 公主病; or princess disease, Korean: 공주병) is a neologistic term used colloquially in some parts of Asia, notably Hong Kong, mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan, to describe a condition of narcissism and egocentricism, or 'princess' behaviour.[1][2] Conversely but less commonly, males with a similar outlook may be described as having 'prince sickness'.[3]
It is speculated that the term originated with the rise of the Asian Tiger countries, in which rapid economic growth may have contributed to a corresponding rise in consumerist or materialistic attitudes and upper classes investing heavily in their children, who might subsequently become accustomed to material wealth and domestic help.[3][4]
Causes
In Hong Kong and China, low birth rates[5] have meant that families often have only children that are the sole focus of their parents' energies. In China the resultant phenomenon, often attributed to the one-child policy, is known as 'Little Emperor Syndrome'. A combination of helicopter parenting and domestic help, allowing middle-class parents to work, can contribute to their children being spoilt.[6] A widening income gap in Hong Kong, along with concerns over democracy and social inequality, also reflects the perceived attitudes of the 'elite' classes.[7][8]
Furthermore, social mobility in these countries is largely based on personal and academic achievement.[9] For that reason, parents may place a great deal of pressure on both children and their teachers, micro-managing their child's academic career.[10][11] Some suggest that this results in dependence or a lack of responsibility.
In popular culture
Music
- "Princess Syndrome" (Gōng Zhǔ Bìng 公主病)- a song by Taiwanese singer Jay Chou in the album Exclamation Mark.[12]
- "Disease Princess" - a song by Japanese musician Masa.
Other
- "I am a Hong Kong Girl with 公主病 (Gung Jyuh Behng) - Cantonese Word of the Week!" - YouTube video by CarlosDouh.[13]
See also
- Little Emperor Syndrome
- Black American princess
- Jewish-American princess
- Cluster B personality disorders
References
- ^ "HK princesses rattle local hikikomori". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ myhongkonghusband, Lina (12 October 2013). "公主病 – on princess syndrome and tough relationships". My Hong Kong Husband. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ^ a b "THE PRINCESS SYNDROME: EMERGING CHANGES IN CHINESE SOCIETY « USI - Blog". usiblog.in. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ Empiricism and analytical tools for 21 Century applied linguistics: selected papers from the XXIX International Conference of the Spanish Association of Applied Linguistics (AESLA). Ediciones Universidad de Salamanca. 2012. p. 451. ISBN 9788490121542.
- ^ Speed, Barbara (30 September 2014). "Hong Kong's low birth rate blamed on women's "sexual problems"". CityMetric Horizons. CityMetric. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ Wong, Bill. "Monster/Helicopter Parents and Their Children's Independence". Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Carroll, Toby (28 July 2014). "Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement is about inequality. The elite knows it". the Guardian. theguardian.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ Hu, Fox; Yun, Michelle (30 September 2013). "Hong Kong Poverty Line Shows Wealth Gap With One in Five Poor". Bloomberg. Bloomberg. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "2009-2010 Hong Kong Policy Address". Hong Kong SAR Government. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Tomohiro, Osaki (27 January 2011). "Exasperated teacher takes on Japan's 'monster parents'". CNN Travel. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Chua, Amy (2011-01-08). "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "Introduction of Jay Chou's music album". Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ "I am a Hong Kong Girl with 公主病 (Gung Jyuh Behng) - Cantonese Word of the Week!". YouTube.