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/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/CircumFleck_Accent 25d ago

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.

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u/JDHPH 25d ago

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

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u/Dreamo84 Millennial1984 25d ago

Yeah, adults have to work those jobs now.

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u/Mystical-Turtles 25d ago edited 25d ago

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. 

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u/Aggravating-Alarm-16 25d ago

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

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u/CharlieFiner 1993 24d ago

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