Very interesting article! I am part of gen Z, so I know all too well the attitudes you describe here about us. My thinking is that late stage capitalism is partly to blame for our anxiety. Not only does the world feel like it's on fire, and is there a huge cost of living crisis, but also the necessity of a well paying job is at an all time high. That parent you quoted was right, failing classes does not help students get into a good university, which feels essential to get a well paying job afterwards (at least to us Gen Zers). The hyper connectedness we grew up with also definitely contributes to our mental health crisis, our failures are online for everyone to see, and the ability to shift and grow as a person is constantly subject to criticism from those who followed us when we were acting as our old selves.
All in all, very interesting read, and you've given me a lot to think about!
Thanks for your comment, Paige. I see the mental health crisis in my Gen Z children, but also in my millennial children. It might also have to do with absorbing the anxiousness from parents - 9/11, two recessions, and a growing cultural divide. In my research I am learning more about things I didn’t notice were affecting my kids. Yes, though, in the 1980’s capitalism took a turn for the worst as corporations began to see the shareholder as their sole constituent and the need for making money came at the cost of the employees and customers. Deregulation in finance and speculation in real estate has contributed to this despair. But do not give up hope your great grandparents lived through worse and decided to work for change. Your generation will educate yourselves and work hard to make changes in our society for the better. Change is going to come.
What a wonderful story, Kathie. Thank you for sharing!
My grandma raised me after my father passed away when I was five years old. Since I didn't have parents to take care of me, I felt like I had a lot of freedom during those days. I had several behavioral problems and was repeatedly expelled from different schools. Because of my attitude, some people believe that I am mentally sick. To be honest, I know what was going on at the time, and I'm positive that I'm not mentally ill. Yes, I may have behavioral issues because I feel like I need my mother and other family members' love and attention.
It can be simple for others to make snap judgments about children based only on their outward behavior especially in school. I had been kicked out of different schools several times but no one had ever asked me how I felt or what was wrong with me during those times. I ended up using drugs and drinking alcohol in my younger years because I felt like no one cared about me.
Before my grandparents died they told me they are very proud of me. Those were the days when I realized how much my grandmother and grandfather loved me and tried their hardest to raise me to be a good child.
On that day, I made a promise to them that I would do everything in my ability to improve myself and become an acceptable child in the community. I kept myself busy studying to become a police officer.
Right now I'm simply wondering that if my father had lived and I had grown up on my parent's side, maybe things would have turned out differently.
I have no regrets about anything that has happened to me in the past. Those crucible experiences helped me rebuild myself as a strong person and made me better.
Thanks for sharing, Robbie. It must have been difficult to lose your parents. No wonder your behaviour was like that. Thankfully, you are now on a great path. Both my husband and I had our rebellious years, every young person has them. We met each other during ours. I’m thankful to God for all the blessings I’ve received in my life. I’m sure you are too!
My Dad was born in 1910 and my Mom in 1917. Dad immigrated from Ireland in 1921. He finished university and was working when he joined the army. He landed with Canadians on Juno Beach 1944. He met my mom after he came back from the war. They were married in 1946.
Very interesting article! I am part of gen Z, so I know all too well the attitudes you describe here about us. My thinking is that late stage capitalism is partly to blame for our anxiety. Not only does the world feel like it's on fire, and is there a huge cost of living crisis, but also the necessity of a well paying job is at an all time high. That parent you quoted was right, failing classes does not help students get into a good university, which feels essential to get a well paying job afterwards (at least to us Gen Zers). The hyper connectedness we grew up with also definitely contributes to our mental health crisis, our failures are online for everyone to see, and the ability to shift and grow as a person is constantly subject to criticism from those who followed us when we were acting as our old selves.
All in all, very interesting read, and you've given me a lot to think about!
Thanks for your comment, Paige. I see the mental health crisis in my Gen Z children, but also in my millennial children. It might also have to do with absorbing the anxiousness from parents - 9/11, two recessions, and a growing cultural divide. In my research I am learning more about things I didn’t notice were affecting my kids. Yes, though, in the 1980’s capitalism took a turn for the worst as corporations began to see the shareholder as their sole constituent and the need for making money came at the cost of the employees and customers. Deregulation in finance and speculation in real estate has contributed to this despair. But do not give up hope your great grandparents lived through worse and decided to work for change. Your generation will educate yourselves and work hard to make changes in our society for the better. Change is going to come.
What a wonderful story, Kathie. Thank you for sharing!
My grandma raised me after my father passed away when I was five years old. Since I didn't have parents to take care of me, I felt like I had a lot of freedom during those days. I had several behavioral problems and was repeatedly expelled from different schools. Because of my attitude, some people believe that I am mentally sick. To be honest, I know what was going on at the time, and I'm positive that I'm not mentally ill. Yes, I may have behavioral issues because I feel like I need my mother and other family members' love and attention.
It can be simple for others to make snap judgments about children based only on their outward behavior especially in school. I had been kicked out of different schools several times but no one had ever asked me how I felt or what was wrong with me during those times. I ended up using drugs and drinking alcohol in my younger years because I felt like no one cared about me.
Before my grandparents died they told me they are very proud of me. Those were the days when I realized how much my grandmother and grandfather loved me and tried their hardest to raise me to be a good child.
On that day, I made a promise to them that I would do everything in my ability to improve myself and become an acceptable child in the community. I kept myself busy studying to become a police officer.
Right now I'm simply wondering that if my father had lived and I had grown up on my parent's side, maybe things would have turned out differently.
I have no regrets about anything that has happened to me in the past. Those crucible experiences helped me rebuild myself as a strong person and made me better.
Thanks for sharing, Robbie. It must have been difficult to lose your parents. No wonder your behaviour was like that. Thankfully, you are now on a great path. Both my husband and I had our rebellious years, every young person has them. We met each other during ours. I’m thankful to God for all the blessings I’ve received in my life. I’m sure you are too!
Hi
My Dad was born in 1910 and my Mom in 1917. Dad immigrated from Ireland in 1921. He finished university and was working when he joined the army. He landed with Canadians on Juno Beach 1944. He met my mom after he came back from the war. They were married in 1946.
We lived in west Toronto.
It was a different time back then.
Yes, it was totally. It's hard to image our parents lived 100 years ago. I was born and raised in the Toronto area, in Long Branch.
Tried to reply on my computer but I needed to sign in. Lol. Yes we lived in Islington. Then north Etobicoke.