Top Issues voiced by Parents concerning their Generation Z Offspring, as per Study Findings
Here's a fresh take on the article:
Meet Gen Z — the new generation shaking up the workforce. They're here to show the world what they've got, but their elders aren't always thrilled. Parents of Gen Z have a few complaints, and it's all because of the way young people today see the world differently compared to their parents.
Fast-moving technology and an ever-changing global landscape are causing a few headaches for the grown-ups. Here's what parents have been grumbling about:
Top 11 complaints from parents about their Gen Z kids
1. Too much screen time
(Photo by Carto.rs via Canva)
Gen Z has spent most of their lives in front of screens, and mom and dad are starting to realize the negative impact it might have. Some parents even worry that their youngsters' screen addictions could ruin their lives.
Therapists often find themselves talking about screen time issues with Gen Zers. High levels of screen time have been linked to social problems like isolation[1].
2. Poor social skills
(Image by Rawpixel from Pixabay via Canva)
Many parents are stunned by their Gen Z kids' lack of social skills and unrealistic expectations in relationships. It's hard to hold deep conversations with younger Gen Zs because they often lack the necessary skills[2].
3. Needing too much parental help
(Image by Adrian myself via Canva)
It's often a economy-related issue causing Gen Z to rely on their parents more than expected in both financial support and problem-solving advice. Many parents didn't expect to still feel like full-time parents to teens in their mid-twenties[3].
4. Being broke
(Image by Drazen Zigic via Canva)
These days, many parents are financially supporting both Millennials and Gen Z children. Sometimes it's about keeping up appearances, and other times it keeps them away from homelessness. It's not the kids' fault, and it's not the parents' either. It's just the state of the economy[4].
5. Lack of understanding for gender identity
(Image by Prostock-studio via Canva)
Most parents, Gen X included, grew up in an era where being gay wasn't acceptable, transgender people were unknown, and LGBTQ rights barely existed. They might feel confused and worried about upsetting their Gen Z kids[5].
6. Bad coping skills
(Image by Mart Production via Canva)
Parents sometimes overprotect their children, which can lead to poor coping skills in their youth. Gen Z often struggles to control their emotions and nitpick problems[6].
7. Loneliness
(Image by DimaBerlin via Canva)
Statistically speaking, Gen Z is the loneliest generation of adults in history[7]. Over 80% of adults in this generation have felt lonely in recent months, making it a public health concern.
8. Difficult to work with
(Image by Natee Meepian via Canva)
Some managers find it tough to work with Gen Z due to what they perceive as authority issues and a lack of motivation[8].
9. Overconfidence
(Image by Jacob Lund via Canva)
While some complain that Gen Z lacks soft skills, others point out that they have overconfidence issues. This overconfidence could lead to unrealistic expectations at work[9].
10. Slow pace
(Image by Mizuno K from Pexels via Canva)
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z is less likely to engage in reckless behaviors like drinking, sexual activities, or teen pregnancies[10]. Some parents worry they're raising boring young adults who are too cautious.
11. Unhappiness with the current state of affairs
(Image by DjelicS from Getty Images Signature via Canva)
Gen Z tends to be more politically active and aware of social issues. They're vocal about speaking out against injustice, which can be unsettling for their Boomer and Gen X parents who grew up in a more conservative era.
Interestingly, Gen Z's unique experiences are reshaping societal norms and causing generational divisions. Older generations sometimes struggle to understand their younger counterparts, and vice versa. But as society evolves, so too will understanding and acceptance.
Sources:[1] Guardian: How young people's use of social media can affect their mental health[2] Harvard Health: How to help your teen with social anxiety[3] NY Times: As more families struggle, ‘boomerang’ kids don’t go so far, and return home again[4] Pew Charitable Trusts: Economic instability override other issues among younger Americans[5] CDC: LGBTQ+ Health[6] Child Mind Institute: Making Sense of Emotional Dysregulation[7] Forbes: The Loneliness Epidemic – The State Of Loneliness In America Today[8] Forbes: How To Manage A Multigenerational Workforce: 4 Tips For Gen Z Employees[9] Zippia: What Millennials Wish They'd Known Before Joining The Workforce[10] NPR: Gen Z is more politically moderate than most people realize, group finds. Here's what that means.
- In the realm of psychology, therapists often discuss the issue of excessive screen time with Gen Z, linking it to social problems such as isolation.
- A common complaint among parents is the poor social skills exhibited by their Gen Z children, who struggle with deep conversations due to a lack of necessary skills.
- Economic challenges often force Gen Z to rely heavily on their parents for both financial support and problem-solving advice, leading to feelings of over-parenting among the grown-ups.
- The financial burden of supporting both Millennials and Gen Z is a concern for many parents, a result of the current state of the economy rather than their children's choices.
- Parents, even those from Gen X, may find themselves confused and concerned about gender identity issues, fearing they might unintentionally upset their Gen Z children.
- Gen Z's weak coping skills can stem from overprotective parenting, leading to emotional immaturity and nitpicking problems.
- Statistics show that Gen Z is the loneliest generation of adults, with over 80% reporting feelings of loneliness recently, making it a significant public health concern.
- Managers sometimes find it challenging to work effectively with Gen Z, perceiving them as lacking motivation and having authority issues.
- While some criticize Gen Z for their lack of soft skills, others argue that they exhibit overconfidence, leading to unrealistic expectations in the workforce.
- Unlike previous generations, Gen Z is less likely to engage in risky behaviors, which can frustrate parents who see their children as overly cautious and potentially boring.
- Gen Z's activism and awareness of social issues often clash with their Boomer and Gen X parents' conservative upbringing, causing generational conflicts but also contributing to societal change and eventual understanding.
