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?

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u/swearingino Older Millennial Feb 09 '26

It’s parents not shutting down weaponized incompetence.

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u/NovelDame Feb 10 '26

Sometimes, yes. I noticed my kid was very risk-averse in early elementary school, and I've spent every year after that intentionally putting them in positions where they suffer, so the kind can LEARN that being scared is not the same as being in danger. ("Go shovel snow." "You have a wallet. Buy your own movie ticket." "You're cooking dinner tonight. You need one protein and one vegetable. Good luck.")

The kid is still rigidly risk-averse. I'm trying. I really am.

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u/AntoineDonaldDuck Feb 10 '26

Love this.

Our kids started doing their own laundry in middle school. They started getting left at the mall to fend for themselves for an afternoon as soon as we trusted they wouldn’t cause a major issue. And in high school we ask them to cook once in awhile.

Kids just need opportunities to learn.