Gen Z ‘fallouts’: A generational failure or a failed family system

Michael decided to trick the neighbour’s daughter who operates PoS early Saturday morning to garner some cash for himself but unfortunately, he was caught in his act and was beaten black and blue by passersby who were drawn to the scene.

At age 17, Michael always paraded himself as a smart guy, roaming the streets with his phone, and causing havocs to people, sometimes, he would defraud people.

With the likes of Michael, the older generations often wonder if Gen Z are really smart. They usually see them as a generation that cannot think and knows it is a fraud and how to make fast money; they fondly call them the microwave generation.

However, study has shown that this young group of people born between 1997 and 2012, are not only academically smart but have shown remarkable intelligence in various areas ranging from how to solve complex issues using technology to entrepreneurial mindset.

No doubt, some of them are actually lazy at heart and hardly would want to engage in anything meaningful but fraud, however, this can also be traced to family upbringing.

Our fore-parents we were told, will do everything possible to instill the character quality of hard-work, honesty, integrity and perseverance in their children, but do we have today, parents, who would object to discipline, hard work and integrity.

Our today’s parents would rather hire a house-help instead of allowing their children to house-chores.

Read also: Gen Z prefers AI as a tool, not a replacement, in the future of entertainment — Survey

A contemporary parents would even go to schools and beat up a teacher for daring to discipline their child; and they would, nobody would vomit honey or sugar when it’s place in his or her mouth.

The Gen.Zs are reflecting what the families have inculcated in them, like the computer terminology would say, “Garbage-in, and garbage-out.”

The family over the years have historically been one of the most vital agents of socialisation in society. From an early age, individuals learned essential societal norms, values, and behaviour within the family structure.

But in recent times, the role of family as an agent of socialisation leaving much to be desired.

In the olden days, you can easily identify a female by her hair but if you try that today, you will be shocked what you will get.

Men plaiting hair like women, and women wearing trousers like men, these were abnormal then, but nowadays, it is envogue; what a change of a system, and nobody seems to bother.

Change in the family structure:

Traditionally, a family units consisting of father, mother, children and the extended relations for an African setting, but today, single parenting is the order of the day, many women do not want to remain under a man in marriage, some have refused to get married at all; but would rather operate as a single woman.

Even those families, who are still together, the quest for economic survival has taken its toll on the various families, where both parents working long hours have become a norm, leaving the children to nannies or social media companionship.

Besides, surging rate of divorce has disrupted the stability of family units, and children from broken homes ordinarily experience emotional or psychological challenge that hinder the family’s ability to socialise them effectively.

The tech and social media ecosystem:

The rise of technology, particularly the internet and social media have dramatically altered how individuals interact and form identities.

Digital platforms, television shows, video games, and online communities now serve as powerful agent of socialisation influencing the thought, behaviours, and world view of the younger generations especially the Gen. Z.

The Gen.Z are born into a world that has internet, smartphone and social media from an early age, they have interacted with devices, apps and platforms that the older generations could not have imagined.

Hence, obviously,their exposure to technology has made them highly adaptive and quick learners when it comes to digital tools.

This ability have help them navigate through complex digital issues, troubleshoot issues and harness technology for work, communities and entertainment.

They are not only consumers of technology, but also creators by using technology to create social media content, gaming and coding.

The smart generation:

Gen Z are smart in the sense that they have entrepreneurial mindset, most of them are not waiting for traditional career paths to unfold; instead, they are creating their own opportunities by learning online skills, creating businesses that will add value to the society.

They also possess emotional and social intelligence, and are vocal about social issues ranging from depression, low self-esteem, inferiority complex, trauma, gender based violence which the older generations often overlooked and associated this symptoms to spiritual problem.

In conclusion, the increasing importance of career and financial success in modern society has led to the priotisation of work over family life for many individuals.

Parents who are often busy with demanding careers have less time for their children to socialise thereby making them spend more time within external influences such as digital platforms, peer groups, tutors which will sometimes have negative influences on their thought, behaviour and mindset.