What keeps Parents of Gen Z (14-27 year olds) up at night?

According to ChatGPT, parents of Gen Z are kept up at night by a variety of concerns rooted in the rapidly changing social, technological, and economic landscape. They worry about:

1. Digital and Online Safety: Managing their children's screen time, protecting them from cyberbullying, and ensuring their online privacy and safety.

2. Mental Health: Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among their children, and ensuring they have access to appropriate mental health resources and support.

3. Education and Future Preparedness: The quality of education, the pressures of academic performance, and how well their children are being prepared for an uncertain job market.

4. Economic Stability: Financial concerns about affording their children's education and future needs, along with worries about their own economic stability and the overall economic climate.

5. Health and Wellness: Ensuring their children maintain a healthy lifestyle amidst the sedentary habits encouraged by digital devices, and concerns about access to quality healthcare.

6. Social and Political Environment: The impact of political polarization, social justice issues, and global conflicts on their children's worldview and future.

7. Substance Abuse: Preventing and addressing potential issues with drugs, alcohol, and vaping.

8. Climate Change: The long-term effects of environmental degradation and what kind of world their children will inherit.

These worries reflect the complexity of raising children in an era marked by significant and fast-paced change.

How do the parents of my clients feel about that?

They worry about their children’s future. Like any other parent of previous generations. Specifically, relating to Career and Education choices for Gen Z parents, they are concerned about how their children balance academic success with mental well-being, and how to equip them with the skills necessary for a rapidly changing world. They also worry about their ability to communicate these concerns effectively to their children, without it turning into a row or being shut down.

They may have concerns about the career advice already available to their children. Is it up-to-date and does it move at the same speed as the rapidly evolving employment market? Is it tailored to their own child’s skills and interests? It is broad ranging enough, or do they offer ‘cookie cutter’ solutions? Does their child find this service useful and engaging?

How is that manifested for them?

Parents can find it challenging to have productive and positive conversations when they broach this subject with their children. Young adults typically act defensively if they feel they are being challenged, or if they feel they are being pushed in a direction they do not want to go. Also, Gen Z are very aware that the world that they are growing up in is very different to the world that their parents grew up in. They are more likely to dismiss their advice as ‘out of date’ or ‘irrelevant’. Ever heard the expression 'OK, Boomer'?

Why is it urgent for them to solve their problem?

Parents want to find peace of mind in knowing that their child has thought about their prospects seriously and has a plan for their immediate future. Their own life experience has led them to believe that these decisions can have a long-term impact on the life experience and financial security of their child. Parents are acutely aware that the choices their child makes at this point in their life will set them on a path, and they will believe their child doesn’t have the luxury of time on their side to make these important decisions.

What’s their desired outcome?

That their child has taken the time to reflect on their choices properly and deeply to make the right decision about their immediate future. That their child is catered to as an individual and that solutions are tailored to them specifically. That they are given expert and up-to-date advice about education, training and career opportunities. That their child’s confidence and awareness of self and their own potential increases. That the support that is provided to their child is holistic and takes into account the other areas of stress that affect their child – so they can develop important soft skills and life skills that will enhance their life experience.

What’s their heart’s desire / goal?

That their child is growing in confidence and is happy and enthusiastic about the direction that they are choosing to take. That their child is investing the time and effort in order to choose the right path for themselves.

A peaceful and harmonious home life!

How does that make them feel?

Less worried about their child's career, specifically. And hopefully it will diminish some of the other worries, too.

What will it give them?

Building confidence and resilience in your child has far reaching positive impact, across many areas of their life. They will see their child move into adulthood with tools and knowledge that will help them make the right decisions (for them) long into the future.

It will give them peace of mind (and one less thing to worry about).