vicariousness

{{Short description|When one experiences another person's life through imaginative participation}}

Vicariousness refers to qualities or scenarios wherein one experiences another person's life, through imaginative or sympathetic participation.{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicarious |title=Vicarious |work=Merriam-Webster |date=13 July 2022}}

There are various examples whereby the social phenomenon of vicariousness may be observed. These include for instance, stage parents, some of whom may try to live out their dream career through their offspring.{{cite book|last1=Fuerstein|first1=Laura|title=My Mother, My Mirror: Recognizing and Making the Most of Inherited Self-images|url=https://archive.org/details/mymothermymirror0000fuer|url-access=registration|date=2009|page=[https://archive.org/details/mymothermymirror0000fuer/page/73 73]|publisher=New Harbinger Publications |isbn=9781572245693 }} Such attempts of vicarious behavior has been noted by some analysts as having negative consequences.{{cite web|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/matter-personality/201109/living-vicariously-through-children-twist |work=Psychology Today |date=30 September 2011 |first=David M. |last=Allen |title=Living Vicariously through Children with a Twist |access-date=1 February 2024 }} In actual circumstances wherein a parent tries to live out their accomplishment through their child even though the child seems uninterested, it has been labeled with common phrases such as chasing lost dreams.{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/parenting/pushy-parents-chasing-lost-dreams-1537363|title=Pushy parents 'chasing lost dreams' |work=IOL |date=25 June 2013 |first=Nick |last=McDermott}} In these instances, it is a subset of possessiveness which has been most markedly observed at the spectator stands of children's sport games.{{cite book|last1=Campbell|first1=Ross|title=How to Really Love Your Child|date=2015|page=91}} There are some idioms wherein vicariousness is viewed favorably, such as put oneself in another's shoes.{{cite journal |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15189613/ |pmid=15189613 |date=2003 |last1=Batson |first1=C. D. |last2=Lishner |first2=D. A. |last3=Carpenter |first3=A. |last4=Dulin |first4=L. |last5=Harjusola-Webb |first5=S. |last6=Stocks |first6=E. L. |last7=Gale |first7=S. |last8=Hassan |first8=O. |last9=Sampat |first9=B. |title='... As you would have them do unto you': Does imagining yourself in the other's place stimulate moral action? |journal=Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin |volume=29 |issue=9 |pages=1190–1301 |doi=10.1177/0146167203254600 }}