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A Nation of Victims: The Decay of the American Character by Charles J. Sykes
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A Nation of Victims: The Decay of the American Character

by Charles J. Sykes

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It's not my fault! This is the cry of today's society. Our lawsuits reflect it. Our psychological therapies reflect it. Our talk shows reflect it. What has changed in our society, in our legal system, in our therapeutic practices? I've wanted to know why. I've wanted answers. This book was going to tell me why. The chapter titles and subtitles were exactly the topics I was interested in. Unfortunately, this was another book that was written way over my head. I slogged through the first five chapters before giving up. I did skim some informational cream off the top of it all.

Where it all began was the psychologists in the '70s coming up with the idea that proclaimed that anyone, no matter how normal, has some syndrome or condition. Among these, the "adult-child-of" conditions put blame squarely on Mom and Dad. This, whether intentional or not, led to people claiming that whatever they do wrong in their lives, be it legal, moral, or in their career, is not their fault. It's this (fill in the blank) condition.
The unfortunate thing is that I and others I have known have certain "conditions". I believe we all have different "quirks" that we get from parents, environment, and genetics. But unlike the excuse-makers, we acknowledge it and move on. We fix it if it becomes debilitating. We don't wallow in self-pity and throw ourselves to the mercy of society for them to feel sorry for us, and expect society to drag our wounded selves around with those that were lucky enough (successful) to not be affected by their affliction.

I will continue my search for a book that was written more to my level. ( )
  kkirkhoff | Jul 20, 2006 |
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Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0312098820, Paperback)

One of the most talked-about books in years, A Nation of Victims established Charles Sykes as a persuasive, witty, and controversial commentator on American life and society. The plaint of the victim-- It's not my fault-- has become the loudest and most influential voice in America, an instrument of personal and lasting political change.

* Fired for consistently showing up late for work, a former school district employee sues, claiming he is a victim of "chronic lateness syndrome."

* Videotaped puffing on a pipe filled with crack cocaine, Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry claims he is a victim of racism.

* In 1960, fewer than 100,000 lawsuits were filed in federal courts; in 1990, more than 250,000 were filed.

In this incisive, pugnacious, frequently hilarious book, Charles Sykes examines the erosion of our society and offers hope in the prospect of a culture of renewed character.

(retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:02 -0400)

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