Raising children today is more complicated. When we were little, we lived in an era that was not much different from when our parents grew up. But today, our children live in a vastly different 'world' from when we were little. We also compete with the world of entertainment, public schools, and even governments that propagate values different from ours. However, no matter how hard it is to raise our children, God gives us the responsibility to nurture and educate them in the Lord. Let's read Deuteronomy 6:4-7.
What we mean by our children are those who are still under our care and responsibility. If we follow the timeline of generations, they fall into the category of Generation Alpha and Generation Z. Because of the time limit; today we'll focus only on Gen Z. To be wise parents, we need to know them well: their characteristics, struggles, and challenges so that we can parenting them in the Lord effectively. Before that, let's look at the timeline of generations created in the Western world, but today it has become global.
There are currently six generations living together:
1. The Silent Generation (1928 - 1945), known as the "Lucky Few" because of their young age, were not obliged to join the Second World War.
2. Baby Bombers (1946 – 1964), so-called because the group born after the Second World War ended, showed a high birth rate.
3. Generation X (1965 – 1980), called the "baby bust generation," because of the declining birth rate.
4. Millennials (1981 – 1996) or Gen Y.
5. Generation Z (1997 – 2012) or "Zoomer."
6. Alpha Generation (2010s – 2020s)
Characteristics of Gen Z:
a. Very skilled at using gadgets. Gen Z is the first generation of "digital natives" because they were born in the internet era. They build a large part of their life and social presence online, meaning they make many friends through social media.
b. Multitasking
c. Independent. They rarely ask their parents or teachers if they want to know something. They prefer to find answers from Google's "search engine"; even now, ChatGPT exists.
d. Confident. This generation has high trust because of the abilities they have in the field of technology and social media.
e. Individualism. They often carry out various activities by themselves, for learning or playing. When with friends, we often meet online.
f. Less interest in formal education. They saw many successful people without degrees (like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg), and many large companies don't require a degree (Google, Amazon, etc.).
g. Great interest in work related to social media and entertainment. They see an opportunity to achieve success easily and quickly in that field. For example, by becoming a "YouTuber" or "Tiktokers." Those who are only in their teens or early twenties can earn billions of rupiah to be richer than their parents, who have worked for decades.
Various Problems Gen Z Experience
Our children also face challenges and problems. By knowing their struggles, we can better understand and care for them (this will also help grandparents understand their grandchildren better!).
1. Mental health problems. Behind the greatness and superiority of Gen Z, it turns out that many are experiencing mental health problems. According to "The Annie E. Casey Foundation" in the article "Generation Z and Mental Health" (February 14, 2023), members of Generation Z grew up in an era of increased stress and anxiety. About 70% of teens across all genders, races, and family income levels say anxiety and depression are significant problems among their peers. According to the American Psychological Association, only 45% of Gen Z report that their mental health is very good or excellent. All other generational groups fared better on this statistic, including Millennials (56%), Generation X (51%), and Boomers (70%).
2. Experiencing "Behavioral Addictions." The idea behind this is that a person feels the symptoms of addiction but not a substance. Instead, an action or series of actions that create a calming, or even euphoric, fishing in the user. This addiction includes Food, Games, Plastic surgery, Sex, Social media, Gambling, the Internet, Risk, Shopping, and Pornography.
3. Experiencing "Gender dysphoria." The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) in England said 969 under-18s were referred to in the UK in 2015-16, including nearly 200 aged 12 or under. This compares to just 94 in 2009-2010.
4. Compete with Artificial Intelligence in finding a job. A recent Goldman Sachs study found that generative AI tools will soon take up 300 million full-time jobs worldwide, which could cause "significant disruption" in the job market. 1. Tech jobs (Coders, computer programmers, software engineers, data analysts). 2. Media jobs (advertising, content creation, technical writing, journalism). 3. Legal industry jobs (paralegals, legal assistants). 4. Language-oriented roles. 5. Market research analysts. 6. Teachers. 7. Finance jobs (Financial analysts, personal financial advisors). 8. Traders. 9. Graphic designers. 10. Accountants.
5. Illegal drugs use. Gen Z and young millennials have become America's leading addict group, setting records for the use of marijuana, hallucinogenic drugs, nicotine, and drinking. Researchers at the University of Michigan reported a significant spike in drug and alcohol use among young people aged 19 to 30 over the last 12 months.
6. Experiencing mental fragility ("Strawberry Generation"). The strawberry generation is a term that describes the phenomenon of today's young age. They usually have high ideas and creativity but break easily like a strawberry when pressured.
7. Do not have a clear purpose in life. On the one hand, they may have achieved success. But they don't know what they are living for. Did you see the photo in PPT? They are all handsome and famous young men and women who have achieved what many people dream of. But after they reached it, these ten celebrities from Korea decided to commit suicide due to the heavy pressure in their lives.
To raise them in the Lord, parents must do these:
1. Build close relationships with your children so that they feel loved, accepted, cared for, supported, and have healthy self-esteem. Spend time with them! Did you know that many intelligent and accomplished children don't grow well because they don't have "self-acceptance." They may have been bullied or have certain physical deficiencies. But your love and acceptance help them to overcome it.
2. Build healthy communication with your children (of course, this is greatly influenced by your relationship with them) so they can feel comfortable talking with you and sharing their problems.
3. Guide your children to have a personal relationship with Christ (Deuteronomy 6) so that they know "Who they are in Christ" or have the "right self-identity." As a result, they do not experience 'gender dysphoria,' seek false self-gratification, or are easily influenced by the secular worldview.
4. Teach your children biblical values, like being responsible, caring for others, helping each other, respecting others, self-discipline, diligence, and trusting in God (Prov 3:5).
5. Pray daily with and for your children. 1 Chron 29:19 recorded David's prayer for his son, Solomon: "And give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies, and Your statutes, and to do them all, and to build the temple, for which I have made provision." What a beautiful prayer! Job 1:5 also shows a beautiful blessing from a devoted father: "When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus, Job did continually." Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire" (Prov 29:17). May God bless you all, parents, in raising your children in the Lord!
