What is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?
The Dunning-Kruger Effect occurs when people overestimate their own abilities despite their actual subpar skills, knowledge or performance. In contrast, people that have exceptional skills, an extraordinary amount of knowledge and are high performers tend to think they are average. Equally as interesting, low performers that think they are above average do not take criticism well and they are not interested in self-improvement. Sounds familiar, right?
What are Dunning-Kruger Co-Parents?
The Dunning-Kruger Effect occurs when a parent believes they are “clearly the superior parent” despite the reality of the situation. In contrast, an exceptional parent might describe themselves as “average” based on the assumption that putting the children first is easy for everyone.
The reality of the situation is that children rarely have a superior parent. Children often have two parents that both love them very much but have different opinions about what is best for them. One parent might overestimate their own value in terms of parenting and underestimate the value of their child’s other parent. The children lose in these situations. The parent overestimating their own value likely does not take criticism well, which does not leave the door open for self-improvement. And, it probably doesn’t stop the overconfident parent from dishing out the dirt on their co-parent either.
Equally as truthful, parents rarely get it right every single time they make parenting decisions. In the heat of the moment, parents can put themselves first which is detrimental to their children. This often happens when a parent uses the child, or access to the child as leverage in an argument. Other times it happens when a parent has one drink, despite knowing the children must be driven home afterwards. Putting the children first every single time, is not easy for everyone. The parents that get it right every single time probably do not even know they are special.
What should you take from this?
The Dunning-Kruger Effect might explain why one parent thinks they are an exceptional parent especially when compared to others of equal value. However, it is unlikely that any parent that truly feels they are gifted will be convinced otherwise by anyone else. Remember that. Find a better use for your time.
The Edmonton Family Network was designed to be used as a resource to anyone dealing with a difficult family situation. The Edmonton Family Network is familiar with the current limitations of the legal system and the barriers many people face trying to access and afford legal services. The Edmonton Family Network aims to educate and connect people with affordable resources and service providers that can help.
