HELP! I Am Living with a Gen- Zer… and They Are Driving Me Crazy!

I hear this cry and plea for help from parents just about every week. Their teenager is causing them to question if becoming a parent was the right decision for them. Some parents are asking about their very existence and that of their children. I know I am being humorous, but to be truthful, many parents are questioning their children. Who are they? What is going on with them? Is there something wrong? What can we do?

Out of fairness, let’s ask, “Who are the GenerationZers, and why do they appear to be so different?”

• Gen-Zers make up the newest and youngest generation within the global society. They were born during the years 1995–2012. The youngest would be nine years old, and the oldest would be twentysix. They are considered to be the largest generation raised by the internet and social media. They are the internet generation. They are digital natives that enjoy multitasking across various screens and social media platforms. They are an interesting generation that is considered post-Christian, less religious, success-oriented, technology-driven, and known to embrace different views on sexuality.

• Six major areas make up the characterization of Generation Z:

1. Technology

2. Worldview

3. Identity

4. Parents

5. Security

6. Diversity

• Without going too much in depth, they love technology and can’t live without it.

• They have a very pluralistic worldview.

• Sexual identity is fluid and not fixed.

• They love their parents, but family values may not be as important as they were in previous generations.

Furthermore, they need and crave financial security. They prefer diversity over ethnocentric spaces. However, they are quickly becoming the misunderstood generation by Christian parents. I think it stems from the fact they may be less religious and Christocentric in their thinking. Their values are much different from that of their parents, the Baby Boomer generation, and this tends to cause friction and confrontation.

Although they may be misunderstood, for whatever it's worth, they want to change the world and make a difference in society. I do believe this will be the generation that holds us accountable.

Suppose you're wondering how to deal with your Gen Z teenager. Here is what you can do:

• Create COMMUNITY

• Create CONNECTION

• Use COMPASSION

• Foster a sense of safety and security

One of the biggest things you can do is give the Gen- Zers in your household a safe place for them to ask questions, express ideas, share doubts, and have the freedom to express themselves at home. Show them the love of Christ without a judgemental spirit. Handle with care because I believe that’s what Jesus would do with precious children.

If you’re struggling with your child, don’t pull your hair out yet. Be patient, give it time, and love them unconditionally.

Dr. Lyle Notice Youth Director Alberta Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist