Don't kill your teenager

YOU might be just struggling to understand some universal phenomena. You might just need to comprehend that all families are currently dealing with the similar issues when it comes to their teenagers. The individuals that are currently in their early twenties now were born from 1996-7 to 2010-12 are a different generation. We may need to be understood that this is as a different generation whose characteristics are similar worldwide.

I believe at this point it’s important to listen to understand as a parent rather than to read a suicide note. This generation is known as Generation Z or Gen Z and one of the most notable Gen Z characteristics is their natural and organic use of technology. Gen Zs were born into a world of peak technological innovation a time when information was always instantly accessible and social media was already a dominant form of communication.

POWERED

Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have given them a powerful voice, allowing them to express themselves, champion causes and even launch careers. And yet you as a parent grew up in the advent of black and white televisions and battery powered radios. We have to acknowledge the generation divide and the different environments. These technological advancements have both positive and negative effects on this particular generation. For one, a huge amount of information is now available right at their fingertips.

This allows them to widen their knowledge and be proactive in their learning. The flip side to these benefits are feelings of isolation and underdeveloped social skills brought about by excessive screen time.

You do remember that we bought the phones during COVID-19 and all that online learning. Gen Z is more open about mental health struggles and advocates for mental well-being. They seek online communities that offer support and share their experiences to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Understanding the environment our Gen Zs are growing up in can help us better connect with them, provide guidance and create a supportive environment that addresses their unique strengths, challenges and opportunities.

SIMILARITIES

I was speaking to a parent who has two teenagers in her household and we ended up in deep laughter at the similarities and the similar conversations that we shared, from the lack of social boundaries to the postponed chores in the house. See when we grew up we had an intense fear for our parents, and at the sound of wake up and wash dishes we were there. However, not with this this generation. That authority voice will be misinterpreted as hostility and judgement. They will do what you ask, but not at the point of the gun. They do not comprehend that. It is important to not compare your upbringing.

Just because most of us were raised military style, it doesn’t mean we have to have to raise our teenagers the same way or even have those similar expectations. We can agree that we may need to unlearn what we thought and believed were the right ways. At this point, some parents may need therapy otherwise, the stick and the harsh words may end up killing your teenager. I recently attended a course on Generation Z, while sitting there I wondered how many parents needed to hear this information.

As a mother of a Generation Z, I was healed to be honest. I hope sincerely that parents who have teenage children may find solace at knowing they are not alone as we navigate a generation we are not familiar with. The anxiety issues are common to the point that Gen Z can even come up, with their own diagnosis of what is going on with them.

LIMITED

It’s interesting how they literally have limited social skills, sometimes to the minute understanding of privacy. I was so surprised to learn that other parents spoke of how little they have regard for knocking in their parents’ bedrooms. They knock once and they are in.

Having access to so much information, Gen Z has strong opinions and wants them to be heard. Which is rather unusual for us parents who respond with disregard instead of listening to understand. Gen Z members believe their ideas are just as valuable as ideas from members of other generations.

Specialists highlight the fact that Generation Z can function in both the real and virtual worlds. They can easily switch between these two worlds, as they perceive them as complementary to one another. The consequence of this circumstance is that representatives of Generation Z can easily source and check the information they need. They also quickly share information with others.

Communication processing among them is continuous, as they use wide variety of communication devices or social media. “The active social media users have many contacts and they mainly live their everyday relations through these channels personal meetings are also important to them, however, keeping the online contacts have an equally important role. Generation Z uses different mobile devices, they comment on reality, the environment, and the surroundings they live in, they manifest their opinions and attitudes using Twitter, blogs and internet forums, and they share photos (Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat) and films (YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat). Generation Z not only uses the content of the internet, but they also create and control it.

WORRY

When we were children, we had to go through rough times. Rites of passage tested the mettle of our beliefs. We look at our children and worry they’ll never break out of the cocoon if they never break anything. We wonder what we’ve done wrong. Because they spend so much time in the privacy of their own space, in what seems to be a total disregard of the presence of other people in the house. “It’s nothing new for parent-teen gaps in language and values to exist. Adolescence has always been a special club. But the gap between parents and adolescents is wider than in previous generations. We not only get different information.

We see different realities.

It’s not enough to passively encourage your teen to go out more. Why should they? Instead, take them with you on trips and experiences, take them to work with you to get a little bit of a taste of what it’s like outside of school or the home office, and help them get comfortable with various real-life tasks and situations. Expand their responsibilities, such as asking them to help in the kitchen, teaching them to cook and eventually putting them in charge of groceries as they better understand how to prep and stock a kitchen. Help them develop their independent living skills, whether it’s navigating a tax return.

This could also be an opportunity to cultivate your teen’s professional or occupational interests. Encourage your teen to spend more time at local conventions for their respective interests or potential professions. Be in their corner and cheer them on.

VOLATILE

Teens today are justifiably worried about how the world is changing and their place in it. They are more academically pressured than ever while contending with a rapidly evolving marketplace, growing wealth inequality, rising prices and the advent of new and volatile technologies in the workplace, such as AI-generated content and code.

Teens might feel more acquainted with the digital world and the changing pace of their environment. However, parents can still help them find a better balance between themselves and their obligations, health and professional priorities, and stress and calm. Between enjoying the bounties of nature and benefiting from our advances in information and communications technology.