A worrying trend indeed - it's like the constant mantra of "you can do anything you set your mind to" in some schools etc. Of course, that's bull. If you're not lucky/intelligent/less than hideous (appearance is important)/come from a good background you're NOT gonna be able to do anything you set your mind to. Au contraire, you'll be packing boxes at the local pickle plant.

I think the fact that kids believe they're special isn't bad per se, but rather the disillusion that comes from it later on. Take me: I am somewhat brilliant, had an ok upbringing, hold two degrees, and I'm not fugly. Yet, finding a job that's anything more than monkey work is HARD for me. You know? Those ppl who don't have my (already pretty extensive) background in terms of studies aren't getting a good job, ever. Not to start out in anyway.