Don’t judge 2000 generation harshly

Israeli-born child psychologist and educator Haim G Ginott once said: “Children are like wet cement; whatever falls on them makes an impression.” On this note, let me also add that our children become who we say they are. This is precisely because they look up to us as parents to show them the way, even if they sometimes don’t agree with our views.

I find it concerning that people who were born in the 1980s and 1990s have decided to label the 2000 generation as unruly, childish and reckless in their behaviour and attitudes.

This is very dangerous as it categorises these young people as incorrigible in a country where diversity remains our biggest strength.

The 2000 generation is a combination of ordinary young people who are behaving like other children their age, and deserve to be shown the way. All people were once young and needed guidance to see the light. The only difference is that we are now parents and are obviously looking at life from a different standpoint and we are feeling overwhelmed, unlike when we were still children.

The 1980s and 1990s generation didn’t grow up in a social media space so they didn’t get to witness most of their childhood shenanigans captured via videos and pictures and uploaded online. But they too had teenage pregnancy , alcoholism and other social challenges to deal with.

There will always be issues affecting young people and instead of demonising and classifying them as a cursed generation, we should reach out to them. Giving up on our children is tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot.

Malphia Honwane, Mpumalanga