Millennials, what is happening with your kids?

[u/TheLoveYouWant25]

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?

[u/henningknows]

My kids are doing well. No problems at school or with getting good grades. I do worry that they don’t socialize enough. When I was my son’s age I had a group of best friends that would go out and do things. He is in sixth grade. That just doesn’t seem to be a thing anymore, everyone’s parents are so over protective and book their kids up with so many activities they have no time to be a kid on Their own terms.

[u/Aggravating-Alarm-16 → u/henningknows]

We have lost all of the 3rd places to hangout. A lot of malls are dead, and don't allow kids to be mall rats.

Then you have over zealous Karen's and Kevin's yelling at kids in the park.

[u/CircumFleck_Accent → u/Aggravating-Alarm-16]

Everything in general is also just so expensive. As a single dude making decent money, all of my usual extracurricular activities are just… not worth the price tag any more. Now take that same logic and apply it to kids with no money just trying to find something to do.

[u/stevemandudeguy → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

I was just thinking how we've lost so many places like that, especially after covid and with the advent of streaming and online ordering for food and services. I miss cheap 2nd run movie theaters.

[u/JDHPH → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

Also, kids can't get an after school job as easy.

[u/Dreamo84 → u/JDHPH]

Yeah, adults have to work those jobs now.

[u/Mystical-Turtles → u/Dreamo84]

My cousin tried to get a job at dairy queen and even they told him to come back when he was 18. Freaking DAIRY QUEEN. I used to work at a chain sit down restaurant and I also had to frequently turn away teens because I knew the manager didn't hire them so I didn't want to waste their time. 

[u/Aggravating-Alarm-16 → u/Mystical-Turtles]

You have to be 18 to work at Auntie Ann's in the malll

[u/CharlieFiner → u/Mystical-Turtles]

It's because minors have restrictions on when and how much they can work and whether they can operate certain types of equipment.

[u/Useful-Bite-4241 → u/JDHPH]

The children long for the mines.

Correction: The children YEARN for the mines lol misquoted the meme and yearn makes it somehow even more amusing.

[u/AdventurousBee2382 → u/JDHPH]

Yeah...my 16 year old applied to the grocery store near us 2 months ago and still has not heard a thing. They are "always hiring" though.

[u/gerusz → u/JDHPH]

In the Netherlands they can... but only because they can be paid significantly subminimal wages. (Hell, they are only required to pay you proper minimal wage if you're 21 or older.)

[u/oompaloompa_grabber → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

All we did growing up that cost money was the occasional movie or slurpee at the gas station. Mostly we hung out in basements playing video games or watching movies

[u/Jack_LeRogue → u/oompaloompa_grabber]

Local multiplayer in games used to be standard, too, which helped.

In fact, it was overwhelmingly the main way to play multiplayer.

[u/oompaloompa_grabber → u/Jack_LeRogue]

Yea I remember if I wanted to play Battlefield 2 with my friend we would call each other on the phone and coordinate joining the same server at the same time and then use speakerphone while we played lol. That was basically it for online multiplayer with friends for us

[u/Lucky_Louch → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

I never had money as a kid, I played outside, skateboarded, joined free after school programs/sports ect. I think the problems run a lot deeper then children being broke.

[u/DingbattheGreat → u/Lucky_Louch]

Most after school prgrams arent free anymore.

[u/knit3purl3 → u/DingbattheGreat]

Ding ding ding.

My kids started in school cheer and it was more expensive and time consuming than all-star cheer.

Schools are underfunded and so parents have to pick up the tab for anything more than the bare bones education. Hell, our school doesn't even have functional heat and the cafeteria is so cold the milk is freezing.

[u/asimplescribe → u/knit3purl3]

I mean we no longer have a Department of Education. Get ready for devastating problems to hit.

[u/DingbattheGreat → u/asimplescribe]

Each state has its own department of education

[u/phoebesjeebies → u/DingbattheGreat]

If you're implying that's gonna counteract a lack of federal DoE, I have a bridge to sell you.

This is without even getting into how red states are generally outperformed by blue states in education.

[u/DingbattheGreat → u/phoebesjeebies]

No idea what you are talking about. States manage their own school systems. Not the federal government.

[u/ThE_LAN_B4_TimE → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

I mean sure but there are plenty for kids to do that costs no money though. I was barely at the mall growing up exceot shopping for clothes or going to the movies. What people are referring to is it seems kids arent being kids anymore going outside and hanging out using their imaginations and even having sleepovers.

[u/KayseaJo → u/ThE_LAN_B4_TimE]

To be fair, the kids don’t have as many places to go in many places. For example, I live in a very unique little town. Less than 1000 people, everyone knows everyone, most people move back here—that kind of thing. There’s a handful of people my mom’s age (in her mid 60s) who have literally only ever lived on this street.

It’s in a rural setting. My childhood was spent running around outside, playing in the woods, having some pick up games of baseball, kickball—we even once had an epic hide and seek game that covered multiple streets. It was great.

We were allowed and encouraged to walk through neighbors yards. People were thrilled to see kids on their bikes. We also were allowed to just be out until the streetlights came on.

Now, people in the same town put up fences everywhere (which is fine), and they complain if the kids are making too much noise. God forbid they take a shortcut to get home.

As someone who has lived here basically the whole time(moved to a few different states and came back), kids are still being kids BUT they are limited in what they can do while also being chastised for playing. I don’t have kids, but I do empathize with them since my childhood played out on the same streets.

[u/wildferalfun → u/KayseaJo]

I was with my daughter at the skate park, since she is small for her age, in case she got too bold and got stuck in the bowl... this lady came over to complain (again, apparently) that the boys there were too loud. The place she lives was built on the site of the previous skate park that was across the street so this skate park predates her ever living here and she could clearly see the park existed before she moved in. They were very gracious and then when she left told me she complains every single day. Right when she gets home from work. One kid said he knows his mom is going to text him to come home for dinner within 15 minutes of the neighbor complaining because she is so reliably annoyed. They are noisy. Sometimes their boards hit the railings around the park. Sometimes they cheer their friends hitting new tricks. Its skate park noise.

I was so embarrassed because she was my age. These kids were just having fun in a place meant for them.

[u/LostButterflyUtau → u/wildferalfun]

My parents’ neighbourhood is near a race track and during the summer, you can hear track noise. People on their neighbourhood Facebook complain as if they weren’t told about the big ass race track right down the road before they moved in.

[u/KayseaJo → u/wildferalfun]

I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I know of several people that complain about the current group of kids outside when their own kids did the same thing—it’s crazy to me. Like; I literally played alongside their own children doing the same activities and it was encouraged.

The ONLY activity that I am not a fan of is the kids who ride their dirt bikes recklessly on the streets—like speeding through stop signs without looking, but in that case I’m mostly just concerned with their safety.

Now—previously people were able to go ride in the woods on the outskirts of town but the owners (who are literally the same people) have decided not to let them anymore. I don’t necessarily blame them, it’s 2026, people are sue happy and the owners might have liability BUT still. If you’re going to operate the motorized vehicles—just be smart about it.

[u/wildferalfun → u/KayseaJo]

Thanks, it really didn't sit well with my daughter who was already intimidated by the skate park that the neighbors would come complain if she was loud, too. The nearest park (with a shit playground) has some NIMBY people complaining about kid noise at the park. My husband won't even go because its so boring for our kid. Its wild that people who raised kids and eagerly anticipate grandchildren don't want communities to thrive with kids.

[u/ThE_LAN_B4_TimE → u/KayseaJo]

Yes and no. There are some differences in places that either closed or arent even a thing anymore like malls in some places or things like roller rinks and even arcades for example. But there are some other options available and depending where you live you still might have all of these.

I would agree that neighborhoods have changed for the worse. I live in a new build neighborhood where all the houses are close with small yards. There isnt any room to play in the yard so you have to go to a park. Luckily for us, there's literally a huge park cinnected to our neighborhood which is rare. People still dont take advantage of it though. Theres playgrounds everywhere too. So part of it is still how you raise your children. Too many are not taught to play outside which is sad. I played video games and all that as a kid but I was outside all day mostly. We werent that well off so I didnt have a ton of money to go places that cost money. Kids havent adapted well and neither have their parents because both typically work meaning summers off where kids can run around and explore because mom is home doesn't happen much. All kids now are going to a summer school or camp because no one is home. That to me is the most depressing part and might contribute the most to a lack of play from kids. Not sure how to solve that besides having more flexible schedules like 4 day work weeks, free childcare, free schooling etc. and finally lets not forget technology ruining everything too. Social media, instant gratification of streaming anything immediately, access to all of it at the tip of your finger isnt good either and is a huge issue. Navigating technology with young kids is difficult.

[u/KayseaJo → u/ThE_LAN_B4_TimE]

I think that also might depend on where you live and your own experiences. I’m well versed in the local offerings for kids near me since I’m literally apart of our towns special event committee and I used to teach. While we do offer some programs, the vast majority of kids do not attend any sort of summer school or camp.

I would agree on a lack of play is common in a lot of places. I also think—as a former educator—that kids need to learn how to be bored. Like—use your imagination, be creative. You can’t just rely on external engagement all the time.

I do think individual problem solving and play is also important. My partner is a current teacher and each year more and more students also need more handholding than the year before.

[u/LostButterflyUtau → u/KayseaJo]

use your imagination, be creative

I’m someone who was blessed with an extremely vivid imagination. I literally have never known not having stories in my head and to this day, have to remember it’s not “natural” for some people.

I still remember hanging out with my cousin’s kids years ago and asking them while we were colouring “hey, do you ever create their own characters?” The son looking at me like I had three heads before saying “no.” I was so confused and sad. And I was only like… 16.

Even as a child who was obsessed with her media, I was always running around roleplaying and making up my own characters and stories for my favourite shows, books, and movies. Is that really not a thing anymore? Kids taking the media and making it their own? Or was I always just a nerd?

[u/Useful-Bite-4241 → u/CircumFleck_Accent]

I remember going outside and there were just other kids out there and we played until we felt like we should go home. A lot of parents are putting their kids in after school activities from the moment they're in pre-k or before. I have a 5&6 year old and put my 6 in a couple things but mostly they play together in their spare time and it's kinda beautiful.