Is it possible the son of a narcissist only has some narcissistic traits and therefore is not really narcissist?

Yes, it is possible for the son of a narcissist to only have some narcissistic traits and not be a narcissist himself. Narcissistic traits are a set of characteristics that are often associated with narcissism, but they do not necessarily indicate that a person has a narcissistic personality disorder.

Narcissistic traits can include things like a grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, a lack of empathy, and a tendency to exploit others. However, these traits can exist in varying degrees and combinations, and not everyone who exhibits some narcissistic traits will meet the criteria for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder.

It is important to remember that narcissism is a spectrum, and not everyone who has narcissistic traits is a narcissist. Some people may only have a few narcissistic traits, while others may have more severe and pervasive symptoms that significantly impair their functioning.

In the case of the son of a narcissist, it is possible that he may have learned some narcissistic traits from his parent, but he may not necessarily have a narcissistic personality disorder himself. He may simply have some of the traits that are associated with narcissism, but he may not meet the full criteria for a diagnosis.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that not everyone who has narcissistic traits is a narcissist, and that a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder should be made by a qualified mental health professional.