TEACHING GEN Z TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE

GIMBERLY S. DIZON

Generation Z comprises people born between 1996 and 2010.Their identity has been molded and shaped by technology and a climate anxiety. Likewise, they are the second youngest generation,with millennials before and generation Alpha after.

Gen Z’s life becomes easy and fast pace. They are called digital natives where information can be easily access. Sadly, this generation cannot cope up with the reality of life. They face unprecedented behavioral health crisis. This generation has the least positive outlook and the highest prevalence of mental illness. They are emotionally weak, seeing themselves that life revolve around them. This is the “I” era that is why they easily give up when situations happen the way they do not expect.

Moreover, Gen Z has lower levels of emotional and social well-being, more interested in belonging to an inclusive community and individualistic with a stronger sense of personal expression.

Having said so, our role as a teacher is to point them to God. Let us guide them to have a meaningful existence, a life pleasing to Him. Gen Z should be engaged and grounded in studying the Word of God. With God as the center of their life, these teenage would be a mouthpiece of truth in a world of lies.

The meaning of life is to live it meaningfully by pursuing what God wants them to be. I believe that youth with a sense of purpose in life perform better in school, enjoy and experience higher self-esteem.

Finally as Apostle Paul said, ”However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

-oOoThe author is Teacher II at Sindalan National High School