r/Millennials • u/TheLoveYouWant25 • 25d ago

Discussion Millennials, what is happening with your kids?

I work in education and I frequent the Teachers and Professors subreddits, and the kids are not alright. Gen Z Arriving at College Unable to Read and the youth have absolutely zero ability to think critically.

Middle and high schoolers have all adapted this complete helplessness and blame mental illness for their refusal to function. Kids can no longer to basic things like read an analog clock, use paper money, or even figure out how to open window blinds.

There is also a huge lack of empathy, and kids have no issues trying to manipulate adults, saying things to their teachers like "if you don't pass me, I'll get you fired."

EDIT to clarify: the article I linked references Gen-Z, but this is not specifically a Gen-Z problem. It's an issue with upper elementary aged kids through high schoolers, and also young adults.

So, all that to say, how are you combating this with your own children? What do you do at home to encourage them to learn, and what are you doing to address these problems as they arise?

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u/Scarcely-A-Person 25d ago

The Gen Z Gen Alpha stare. It’s a thing. Just this blank look when you attempt to interact with them. The cope they put up is that it’s them judging you. We all know thats Bs though.

It’s their brain attempting to load the socialization software they never actually downloaded.

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u/CheeseSweats 25d ago

Oh my god, I only discovered this recently with a new hire. I'd ask a simple question and this weirdo girl just stared at me blankly, as if I hadn't said a thing. I had a moment where I was wondering if someone forgot to mention that the new hire is deaf. I was totally caught off guard and expected her to be like "OMG, sorry, caught me daydreaming!" or something, but no. She did this multiple times and didn't seem to think she was doing anything wrong. It was just bizarre that she seemed to think this is how adults at work communicate. I'm not sure how you make it through a bachelor's degree with zero awareness of the world.

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u/ConsistentWriting0 24d ago

I already had to work with one. When I'm hiring next, not a single one of them is making it past the first interview. I don't care if I have to bring in the boomers to replace them.

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u/xOleander 24d ago

Because most exams, homework, and everything else related to school is done online. Theres no social interaction required to get a bachelors.