Why is Everyone Easily Offended Nowadays? The Hard Truth Revealed

When it comes to being easily offended, it feels like more and more people are fitting under that category as of late. But why? We have the answers.

It seems like every day there's someone else who's easily offended by something seemingly not offensive. Just twenty years ago you couldn't even offend someone by calling them a horrible name right to their face. But today, people are offended by the clothes you choose to wear - something that doesn't even affect them!

There are all sorts of reasons people get so easily offended about trivial nonsense. And this can be extremely difficult to deal with when you're faced with it day after day. But luckily, you can deal with it if you first understand why people are like this.

Being offended isn't necessarily a bad thing

There's a lot of room for education and growth in an individual when people are offended about something they said. Sometimes, people don't realize that what they're saying can actually be taken offensively.

When that happens, those who are offended are actually providing an individual with a learning opportunity. The issue arises when people are getting easily offended by things that they shouldn't be. This can not only teach people things that are wrong, it stops them from expressing their opinion because they become fearful of the backlash.

Why is everyone so damn easily offended nowadays?

We just can't argue the fact that people are far more easily offended now than they ever have been. With so many people having access to argue - through social media mostly - anyone with an opposing opinion is speaking up claiming to be emotionally traumatized by something insignificant.

But how come? What has changed in our society that has people throwing a fit at the smallest thing? These are some of the characteristics of people who are easily offended and, unfortunately, these traits are on the rise.

#1 A sense of entitlement. A lot of people feel as though the world owes them something - even though they don't put in the work to deserve it. They have a sense of entitlement that they haven't earned.

So when someone says something they disagree with, they become offended by it and lash out.

#2 They're too sensitive. Now, some people are sensitive for a lot of different reasons. It can range from them just being that way by nature or they may be overly sensitive due to things that have happened to them.

The bottom line: if someone is easily offended, they're just sensitive in general. They take people's opinions to heart personally and feel the need to defend themselves even if the comment wasn't directed at them.

#3 They just want to argue about something. We all know someone like this. Even if they aren't necessarily personally offended, they want to argue. They want to prove themselves right by saying how wrong you are to say or do something. These are just argumentative people who get a thrill out of it.

#4 They're close-minded. This might be the biggest reason people are so easily offended nowadays. With more and more information coming out about things that are typically controversial, you see so many people becoming offended by them.

The real reason they're offended is because they're close-minded. They don't want to think about the world differently or see things from someone else's perspective. They want to stick with what they've always known instead of venturing out.

#5 They're ignorant. Another huge reason people are so easily offended is because they're just ignorant. They don't know the facts. And worse, they don't want to learn the facts. They have a narrow way of thinking and because they don't understand the other side of the issue, they become personally offended by it.

#6 They're unhappy with themselves and their lives. When you see people who get so angry at others who share their successes on Facebook or Instagram, it's because they're unhappy with themselves. They're jealous.

They get offended that someone else has the audacity to post a selfie in a bikini of their new body after working years to get where they are because they're unhappy with how they look themselves. Instead of looking at those people as great examples of getting fit, they look at them with envy and use being offended as an outlet.

#7 They want to feel important. Who doesn't want to feel important? The difference with those who are easily offended is that they get that feeling of importance by lashing out about how something “hurt” them. When they preach about how something is really offensive, people look at them like their words hold value. They feel more important.

#8 They like the attention. Maybe this should really be #1 on the list because it's definitely one of the main reasons people are easily offended. It's not so much that they actually are upset by someone's comment or action.

The truth is, they just like getting attention for claiming to be offended. Their voice can't be heard any other way, so they become offended because it's the only way people seem to listen.

#9 They're insecure. People who get offended by something so easily tend to have a big insecurity about that thing. Let's use the bikini photo on Instagram again. Those who get “offended” by this are usually people who would never have the courage to do the same. They're not secure in their body and, in order to make themselves feel better, they lash out at someone who is.

#10 They want to blame others for their own unhappiness. It's all a blame game. Those who are easily offended by trivial bullshit tend to be unhappy people. They're complainers. They just want a scapegoat for their unhappiness and so they freak out about something simple so they have a “reasonable” outlet for that anger.

How to deal with people who are easily offended

If you're like me, then you're sick and tired of everyone being so easily offended all the time. But they're everywhere! So how do you deal with it? Like this.

#1 Ignore them. It's really the best thing you can do, but it's also the hardest. This is especially true if someone is just ignorant about a subject and that's why they're offended. You may want to educate them, but usually, that'll only result in a big argument.

#2 Avoid commenting on controversial topics. Everyone has an opinion nowadays and we're all entitled to it. However, if you want to post that opinion on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and expect everyone to be happy about it, you've got another thing coming.

It's perfectly fine to have your own thoughts and beliefs, but broadcasting it for everyone to see and comment on is only asking for trouble.

#3 Don't argue with them. I know it seems tempting, believe me, but you can't give in to their arguments. People who are so easily offended by something often aren't well-educated in the manner. Therefore, arguing would actually just be pointless. You wouldn't get anywhere because they don't want to listen to reason. They just want to be right.

Dealing with people who are easily offended can be very frustrated. The first step in learning to ignore them is first understanding why they are the way they are.