A child can be defined as somebody who is not yet of age, somebody who is under a legally specified age who is considered not to be legally responsible for his or her actions. Particularly parent’s role plays a vital factor with their growth, others like school as we know are just secondary. We are now living in a fast changing world. Technology influences a lot in our lives.
According to a study, Generation Zrefers to thecohort of peopleborn after the Millennial Generation. There is no agreement on the name or exact range of birth dates. Some sources start this generation at the mid or late 1990sor the more widely used period starting from the mid 2000sto the present day.
They are also described as the generation who never knew a world without the Internet, cell phones o iPods. They have a sense of social justice, philanthropy and maturity that comes with growing up during one of the most severe economic recessions in history, as quoted by Lance Looper in his article, How Generation Z Works. From the utilization of texting that keeps them getting their needed answers or information instantly without the face to face conversation or even just a few keystrokes to hearing about the dangers of global warming, subjected to terror alerts and being concerned about how their parents face recent economic problems. The use of social networking through their mobile technology access them to gain answer from family economic problems by allowing them to a quick connection to their circle of contacts when they are in need. This group sees themselves as the solution to these problems so they pursue their careers as they think will help their society.
Every generation confront problems with the one that was before them. To picture this generation, they were the type who wear clothes that don’t fit right or too right, their music is too loud and do not have respect for anything. We are continuously facing different changes, in this world where everything transforms so fast. Today’s students when tasked with solving problems do not seek on working with a group but rather by looking for the quick answer by their own. Frequency and speed may have a very important role in their indulgence to search for the answers. This means that teachers at present had a great difference to the realm of this group. Educators should religiously learn technology as if these children are called “digital natives.”
Our self-esteem evolves throughout our lives as we develop an image of ourselves through our experiences with different people and activities. Experiences during childhood play a particularly large role in the shaping of self-esteem. When we were growing up, our successes, failures, and how we were treated by our family, teachers, coaches, religious authorities, and peers, all contributed to the creation of our self-esteem. These were according to descriptions of self-esteem. It is said that the parents of the Gen Z age group are those under the Generation X or the MTV generation who were more likely to be divorced and was to work outside the home. This is where the parenting problem of Generation X compounds an issue. They raise their children with high self-esteem never correcting them or stimulate their abilities to achieve something beyond their reach. This whole issue must have been the result of the approach toattachment parenting could be Gen X looking to overcompensate for being raised by Baby Boomers, who bucked traditional roles in themarriage, experienced the first spike indivorcerates and virtually invented the latchkey kid, according to Looper’s study. The combination of their freedom to use this powerful technology and the confirmation they get from their parents develop them to the type of generation we had right now. These are very difficult to understand group of teens. Little failure may be experienced by them that may have taught them less perseverance and this is because of the instinctive world they belong.
We may experience that this young age group may have more knowledge earlier than other generations especially when it comes to technology. We provide much effort to realize their advancement but that is because that was so natural to them. We should keep on following them, to keep a track of their path, to guide them and eventually be a part of them if we wanted to understand and direct them not to be too independent for they are still immature and circumstances may arise.
This age may over rule our world someday. They contribute to a large amount of the population but fortunately it is seen that the planet will be of capable hands with them. Described as self-directed where answers or solutions to problems is on their fingertips with technology. Mostly, we, adults would have to give a little direction to them and then the rest will be their work. As in during our times we had to rely on our parents, teachers, superiors to ask for or understand something but now Gen Z can access the information they need easily.
This generation is seen as more flexible, will have a little interest in working in a table but instead they’ll view themselves as professional, permanent freelancers. They will suddenly begin to their particular expertise. As they never stop on seeking they are seen to be getting smarter and smarter that prepares them to perform more mentally demanding jobs.
They may have been observed as vain, temperamental and conceited as the occurrence of this state, still every disadvantages may also have their opposite. They are still believed to contain the intelligence and the sense of social responsibility to contribute. As we see a very large problem confronting this generation, the proper nurturing of these young minds is still the most powerful weapon we could use to help lead them to no matter what extent their cleverness will grant their mentality. Let us continuously help shape young minds.
By: Ms. Aileen L. Lumaban | Limay National High School
