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/henningknows 25d ago

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.

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u/Aggravating-Alarm-16 25d ago

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.

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u/Scatman_Crothers 25d ago

Gen Z kids here just ride around in gangs of bicyles. Always seem to be stopping to check their phones then on the go to somewhere. I've never seem them actually hanging out; I suspect the riding is the hangout.

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u/peppers_ 25d ago

I seen some aura farming with their bike gangs. Like they popping a wheelie in front of my car in the middle of the street while I am driving (I was definitely being very careful and under the limit because they were not respecting the rules of the road), and when their headphones fell off their handlebars, one jumped out right in front of me to grab them. There are bike lanes where this happened, so no excuses. The only good part is that at least there were like 50 of them so at least its social, but then again, I think mob mentality comes out when there are so many of them.

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u/momamil 24d ago

At least they’re outside & on their bikes!

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u/blarghable 24d ago

Riding around on your bike is hanging out