Are children today too spoiled?

In my opinion children are not shown enough discipline and do not respect authority. I am starting to believe that this is often because of both parents wanting to have it all and working long hours. As a result, mothers feel guilty for not spending time with their kids and then when they are together they will not spoil the so called quality time by chastising a child when it is necessary. I grew up in a very strict household and I too remember borrowing my mum's clothes and only getting new clothes at Christmas and birthdays. I do think that this made me grateful for the best things in life and to appreciate what I have. In terms of material ...

In my personal opinion children today are more spoiled nowhere days. When my son comes home from school he wants this thing someone else has got at school or the other children have got. My son is always asking for toys he sees that are put out to attract kids, and adverts on T.V. It all adds up to peer pressure. Most of the time I say no and he obeys me, and sometimes I do let him have his own way, but only when he has been good. What I tend to do at the moment is every time he has been good or achieved something I reward him with a factual book. When I was younger we never had toys brought for us, if I ever got any pocket money it was only enough to buy a ...

My definition of spoiled is being lavishly given material posessions, having what you want when you want it and maybe not appreciating the worth of what you are given. Are children today too spoiled? In my experience I have come across quite a few children that have what they want, do what they want and don't seem to value what they do have. With regards to spoiling children, I can understand why it happens. I feel the media has a huge impact on 'what is normal' and 'what is not'. As parents I feel we are made to feel guilty - we don't spend enough time with our children, we work to much, we don't work enough, we are bad parents if we feed them ...