Helping Gen Z Live Responsibly

 

By Dickson Tumuramye

In today's rapidly evolving world, we find ourselves amid a generation often referred to as Gen Z and Alpha. With the generation most frequently being defined as people born from 1997 to 2012, these young individuals are growing up in an era dominated by technology, where information flows abundantly and relationships are often forged through screens rather than face-to-face interactions. While they exude independence and a desire for autonomy, there exists a crucial gap in their emotional intelligence and understanding of responsibilities.

Challenges

Gen Z is characterized by a strong sense of entitlement and empowerment, often driven by their rights but less attuned to their corresponding responsibilities. Raised in an environment saturated with digital stimuli, they grapple with information overload, yet may lack the discernment needed to make sound decisions. Their preference for gadgets over meaningful relationships can further isolate them from the realities of life and hinder their emotional development. As parents/guardians, it is our responsibility to equip them with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate this information landscape effectively.

Rights and Responsibilities

As parents/guardians and mentors, it is imperative to guide our children through these formative years. One of the key lessons we must impart to our children is that rights come with responsibilities. While it is important to respect their opinions and give them space to grow, it is equally vital to instill in them a sense of accountability and awareness of their impact on others. Proverbs 18:15 reminds us that "Intelligent people are always willing to learn, their ears are open for knowledge" highlighting the importance of continuous growth and education in shaping responsible adults. However, there are those still the bible calls fools who despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).

Nurturing Emotional Resilience

Another significant challenge facing this generation is their perceived lack of emotional resilience. Many children today struggle with handling adversity, displaying patience, and acquiring basic life skills. This can be attributed to various factors, including overprotection by parents and an environment that shields them from hardships. We also tend as parents that we don’t want our children to suffer like the way we suffered. It is crucial, therefore, to teach them resilience through practical means—such as engaging them in household chores and encouraging them to manage their time effectively outside of digital distractions. By fostering open, meaningful conversations and providing a supportive environment, parents can help their children build emotional strength and cope with adversity effectively.

Life Skills

It is concerning that some children today lack basic life skills such as doing household chores or managing their time away from screens. Boarding school routines and extensive use of electronic devices may contribute to this disconnect from practical life experiences. Parents must actively engage their children in learning these skills, emphasizing the importance of hard work, patience, and resilience in achieving personal growth.

Empowering Both Genders Equally

We see the boy-child these days being intimidated by the girl-child who seems to be more empowered than them. Boys have grown up and neglected their duties as men, husbands, and fathers. They have a high level of dependency because, in this generation, they lack mentors and good role models who should show them the right way. The dynamics between genders also require careful attention. We need to change the narrative and tell our boys that a man is a provider, caring, loving, and gentle. They don’t need to exercise gender-based or domestic violence to exercise their masculinity.

Health and Well-being:

The Gen Z are among the 14 million Ugandans who are battling with issues of mental health challenges like anxiety, social isolation, low self-esteem, stress, distress, depression, engagement in risky behaviours, and addictions to drugs, substances, and gadgets. This could be partly exacerbated by pressure from peers, social media, schools, and high societal demands. Recognizing the signs early and providing a supportive environment can make a significant difference in their well-being.

Positive Parenting

At the core of addressing these challenges lies positive parenting. Spending quality time with our children, engaging in meaningful conversations, and actively listening to their concerns can create an environment where they feel safe to explore their identities and learn from their experiences. It is through this nurturing relationship that we can detect and address issues early on before they escalate beyond our control.

Boost their self-esteem

Pride is causing our children to grow up with low self-esteem. They think they know a lot and want to challenge everybody. As a result, they discover that age comes with wisdom and they therefore feel intimidated and decide to be quiet when grow up. Some of them can’t stand on their own to make their points clear because they lack social and interpersonal skills. However, some have been helped by this generation to become very sharp and outgoing because of exposure from various avenues. It is our role as parents to raise a balanced generation that fits well in our society.

Knowing Christ

I have discovered in life that knowing God is more precious than gold and silver. The Bible is clear that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7) and it prevents us from engaging in evil ways which ruin our peace and future. Job 28:18 says “And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘the fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.” Let us teach our children the way they should go now and when they are old, they will never depart from it and this begins by knowing Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

The writer is the Executive Director of Hope Regeneration Africa, parenting coach, marriage counselor, and founder of the Men of Purpose mentorship program.

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Dickson Tumuramye is also a passionate speaker on:

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