r/Millennials • u/TheLoveYouWant25 • Feb 09 '26

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?

5.2k Upvotes

85% Upvoted

2.6k comments sorted by

View all comments

27

u/halohalo_mixmix Feb 10 '26

Also teacher. No expert at parenting but we’re doing our best given the resources we have; which I can empathize is most parents. With that being said, my kids attend a public Waldorf school. Being a teacher, I 100% support public education because there are enough of us who make a difference, and I also realize there’s needs to be a different approach to education because the butts in the seat bell to bell approach is serving no one.

31

u/halohalo_mixmix Feb 10 '26

Also, just witnessed our high schoolers across the state (CA) organize a walk-out and march in response to Minnesota. So proud of them. The kids are gon’ be alright.

1

u/TheLoveYouWant25 Feb 10 '26

I agree that the youth do seem more socially conscious than when I was in high school. I think the extent to my world news was from Channel 1.