This past month (January 2018), the Barna group released a study on what they’re calling the next, next generation – Generation Z. This group is composed of those born between 1999-2015, and the oldest in this group is this year’s college freshman. As someone who works in a secondary school context, I’m interested in better understanding my students and how they interact with their world. This study provides some help in this area – though thinking beyond the information and determining how this might impact practice, is a layer I’ve yet to enter. Here’s Generation Z in a nutshell:
1. They Are Screenagers
It’s difficult to talk about this generation without starting to talk about technology. In short, they’ve grown up with it ways that no other generation before them has, and their social lives flow through technology in ways that they never have before. This generation is physically safer than any previous generation, but they are more prone to anxiety and psychological problems. There is an incessant burden they feel to represent their best self online.
2. Their World-View is Post-Christian
The percentage of Generation Z that identifies as atheist is double that of the U.S. adult population, rising from 7% to 13%. 34% will say they have no religious affiliation. One reason for this is that perhaps it is becoming more acceptable to self-identify as atheist, which is resulting in the higher ratings.
3. “Safe- Spaces” Are Normal
To make another person uncomfortable, or to disagree with them, is a real aversion for Generation Z. This has shown up in their own life with trigger warnings and safe spaces, designed, and rightly so, to keep those who have experienced traumatic events from reliving them. However, the negative side of this comes to play when a student is reluctant or unable to make a declarative statement for fear that someone might disagree or take offense. This can also result in anxiety and indecision in the face of an important decision.
4. Real Safety is A Myth
Students in Generation Z have never grown up in a country not at war or involved in some major conflict. Their childhood was marked by 9/11, which has resulted in a view of the world that is not very optimistic. For those born earlier in the generation, their social awareness came to light around the 2008 recession, which has impacted their view of the world by giving them more of a dystopian slant. It’s suggested that this is seen in the books and movies that have become popular in their teenage years.
5. They Are Diverse
This generation is marked the acceptance, and perhaps the elevation, of women and non-whites over white-males. For Generation Z, diversity is not a protocol or a buzzword, it’s just their world. This is most notably seen in the fact that among the Kindergarten class of 2016 there was no ethnic majority among students. The impact of growing up in this milieu is uncertain, but could result in this generation becoming wary or unsupportive of organizations that don’t meet their accepted standard of diversity.
6. Their Parents Are Double-Minded
Studies are suggesting that parents are themselves split over the best way to raise this generation, with parents split between a helicopter style and one that is under-protective. Researchers are seeing both of these styles in parents and have thus dubbed them ‘double-minded’. When it comes to notions of safety and security, parents seem to be willing to go the extra mile and will do what they can to make sure their children are safe. However, the helicopter style seems to evaporate when it comes to technology and technology use. Generally speaking, parents seem to abdicate responsibility in this area, opting for little to no restrictions on Wi-Fi, social media, and phone use.
More good information is available at this site, as well as a link with information on these six points and more. Of course, the big question becomes what we do with this information. How will we more effectively teach and mentor this generation in our schools and churches?
douglaskwilliams.com 