AITA for taking away a “gift”?

A 25-year-old woman faced a tough situation when her 17-year-old “golden child” brother demanded she “gift” him the gaming laptop she bought for work. Though she allowed him to use it an hour daily, he began calling it his own and racked up 12-hour gaming sessions. When she decided to password-protect it and reclaim control, he threw tantrums, accusing her of taking back a “gift.” Her parents argued she shouldn’t meddle in his life.

Was she wrong to set boundaries and protect her property? This family drama stirred heated debates online, raising questions about entitlement, family dynamics, and the challenge of teaching responsibility.

‘AITA for taking away a “gift”?’

It started with the sister noticing her brother’s growing entitlement:

The issue escalated when she bought a new laptop, and her brother wanted to claim it:

When she got a new work laptop, her brother demanded the gaming one as a “gift”:

She set boundaries, sparking a heated argument:

She updated that she resolved the issue through dialogue:

The brother’s entitled behavior reflects a pattern of overindulgence, often termed “golden child syndrome.” Dr. John Townsend, author of Boundaries, notes, “Lack of clear boundaries in families can foster entitlement and irresponsibility in teens” (Townsend, 2017). The sister was right to recognize her and her family’s role in enabling this and to take steps to set limits.

Password-protecting the laptop was a necessary move to safeguard her property and curb her brother’s unhealthy gaming habits. His insistence that it was a “gift” despite her clear refusal shows a lack of respect and understanding of ownership. The parents, by downplaying the issue, inadvertently reinforced this attitude, which could harm his long-term development.

The constructive conversation afterward is a positive sign. The sister skillfully shifted from confrontation to dialogue, helping her brother and parents see the issue. However, changing entitled behavior takes time and consistency. She should maintain clear boundaries, like limiting laptop use or requiring him to earn his own device, teaching responsibility and independence.

The parents need to step up with consistent discipline, rather than leaving the sister to parent alone. A unified family approach, like regular family meetings to discuss responsibilities, could help correct his behavior. If issues persist, consulting a family therapist might be useful. Above all, the sister must protect her space and property while encouraging her brother to build healthy habits, steering him away from gaming dependence or entitlement.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Reddit strongly backed the sister, affirming she wasn’t wrong to protect her property and set boundaries.

Many urged her to stand firm and secure the laptop:

Some suggested selling the laptop to avoid further conflict:

Others criticized the enabling and the brother’s attitude:

Some warned of long-term consequences and suggested stronger actions:

This story highlights how tough setting family boundaries can be, especially with entitled behavior. The sister was right to protect her laptop and talk it out, but it raises the question: How do you balance love and discipline in a family?

How would you handle an entitled family member? Can boundaries shift behavior, or does it take more? Share your thoughts below to keep the discussion going about fostering responsibility and respect in family ties.