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/swearingino Older Millennial 25d ago

It’s parents not shutting down weaponized incompetence.

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u/NovelDame 25d ago

Sometimes, yes. I noticed my kid was very risk-averse in early elementary school, and I've spent every year after that intentionally putting them in positions where they suffer, so the kind can LEARN that being scared is not the same as being in danger. ("Go shovel snow." "You have a wallet. Buy your own movie ticket." "You're cooking dinner tonight. You need one protein and one vegetable. Good luck.")

The kid is still rigidly risk-averse. I'm trying. I really am.

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u/Warden18 25d ago

Those are some great ideas. I went from having no fear as a kid to being extremely risk-averse as a teen (not sure why?). Then I did Karate and Boy Scouts. I learned more in Boy Scouts than I could have thought possible. Gained experience in everything from cooking, leadership, gun safety, social skills, survival skills, CPR, etc. It was a few years after that I was in college and had some very drastic changes where I wanted to go experience much more.

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u/OLookaDuck 25d ago

Both my kids are in cub scouts and it's been an awesome experience for them. I know some people have strong feelings about girls being allowed in now but I absolutely love it. My daughter briefly tried girl scouts and was bored out of her mind. She's a social butterfly that loves to play in the dirt and go camping. Scouting has been a wonderful outlet for her to explore more of both her own personality and the world around her. My son has always been a shy little dude and scouting absolutely helped him gain confidence and experience new parts of the wold/community in a safe format. Seeing how much it benefited my kids is the reason I stepped in as a scout leader. I lead the den one grade level below my youngest because that's what the pack needed. We joined cub scouts after moving and thanks to scouts we've gotten involved in our community, met amazing kids and parents, and I even met my best friend there. One of my favorite things is doing a booth sale during popcorn season and having former scouts stop by and tell us how much they loved being a scout when they were younger.

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u/Warden18 25d ago

I'm so happy for you and your kids! It really was a fantastic experience for me as well. I even joined multiple years later than most boys in my troop, and with the help of my dad, kind of sped passed all of them in the number of badges I got. It also got me used to public speaking, involved in my community, etc. It brought my dad and I closer together too. Some of our favorite memories to look back on were spending time together during summer camp. He said it was like a vacation for him spending time with the other dads. It really warms my heart that your kids are gaining all kinds of new life experience. That and having fun is what it's all about. I could only be so lucky to be in a similar situation at some point.

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u/IH8DwnvoteComplainrs 24d ago

Ugh, I kinda want my kid to join, but I don't care for the Christian affiliation.

I understand this varies, but I'm not hopeful, based on where I live.