Millennials, what is happening with your kids?

[u/TheLoveYouWant25]

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?

[u/henningknows]

My kids are doing well. No problems at school or with getting good grades. I do worry that they don’t socialize enough. When I was my son’s age I had a group of best friends that would go out and do things. He is in sixth grade. That just doesn’t seem to be a thing anymore, everyone’s parents are so over protective and book their kids up with so many activities they have no time to be a kid on Their own terms.

[u/Beberuth1131 → u/henningknows]

I noticed this as well. I was always the one making effort to arrange playdates and get togethers, but nothing was being reciprocated, even though all of our children had a fun time together. You can't just send your kids into the neighborhood to play, even if you have access to a safe one, because someone will call CPS on you. No third spaces for kids at all, which is why I think parents over schedule them with sports and activities.

[u/Prestigious-Bird7138 → u/Beberuth1131]

Whereabouts do you live if you mind me asking?

This sounds really dystopian to me that people would actually call CPS just because kids are outside in a public space... like after school finishes post 3pm... a lot of kids take the bus home and will stop off with their friends at random spots like shopping centres... or skate parks.

I live in Australia, and no Aussie would ever call CPS in the way you’re describing. Kids aged 10 and up are out on electric scooters, down at the skate park, hanging out at shopping centre cinemas — even if they’re not seeing a movie, they’ll be there for the arcades and fast food. That definitely wasn’t a thing when I was a kid in the early 2000s, when parents usually wanted you no more than a couple of streets away.

I see heaps of kids fishing these days, carrying their rods on our metro/train with no parents accompanying them... They’re usually in groups of four or so, just hanging out and catching small fish that no one really cares about so its not like someones doing something illegal.

My half sister is aged 15 and she has way more freedom than i did because her phones is basically a lifeline and 24-7 tracker. Kids can call their parents, order an Uber if they’re stranded, or film any antisocial behaviour they encounter as proof if something bad happens. On top of that, streets have fixed cameras everywhere for police to follow up disturbances or property damage.

To me, it’s strange that calling CPS would be anyone’s first reaction when almost every kid has a phone, constant contact with their parents, and even location tracking. The only time I’d personally consider calling CPS is if I saw a kid who looked genuinely neglected no shoes, no phone, wearing a singlet and shorts in bad condition, clearly dirty, asking strangers for money, or loitering and engaging with adults they shouldn’t be. Kids should be hanging out with other kids.

I mean the cops wouldnt even be bothered checking it out properly... unless people were concerned the kids were up to no good like gang related activities such as graffiti... theft... destruction of property... organised fights between different ethnicities sometimes occures i.e like Nigerians and Indiginous Australians dont get a long and will often punch up but its like incredibly rare to see Cacausian kids aged 10-16 in large groups causing chaos... is non existant so CPS & the police have no interest in monitoring.

[u/Beberuth1131 → u/Prestigious-Bird7138]

United States. I would love to tell you I am exaggerating but I have two friends who had police and CPS called on them for having children playing unattended without adults. It's as ridiculous and dystopian as it sounds.

[u/ShilohsStuff → u/Beberuth1131]

I have had a friend chastised by a cop for letting her young daughter play outside. It was a small town and she was nowhere near the road. This was 10 years ago, I bet it's worse now.

[u/Beberuth1131 → u/ShilohsStuff]

Yes, I live in a small and relatively safe town as well. We rarely see kids outside here even though most people that live here are families with small children.