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You determine the next generation

Its totally normal to be weirded out by the next generation.

Being confused by their attitude, behaviors, ideas, and quirks is to be expected. But with the, deservedly apprehensive, discussion about what is becoming of gen alpha I see a sentiment I am worried about. The disgusted and haughty attitude other generations have toward those newer, assuring themselves that could have never happened to them.

Genuinely what are you talking about.

YOU raised them. YOU caused this. Is it all your fault? Of course not. Are you innocent of it? Of course not. Raising children is no easy task. Parents of gen alpha aren't doing terrible. A boomer would probably just give their toddler a cigarette or some whiskey to calm them down when they're being annoying. Nevermind, I know situations where that happened.

But to assure yourself that you are in every way better than those before you and every negative aspect about the new generation is their own doing is complete nonsense. The world we live in, cultural attitudes, and innovations available are all products of existing generations. They all contribute to the existing environment some way.

The generation that looks at subsequent ones and retches over "what they are doing to themselves" is in denial. These things did not spontaneously assemble themselves into current issues.

Some person from your generation had a hand in that.

I say that with certainty even though I technically shouldn't. I just know if I had to prove it, I wouldn't be wrong.

Don't delude yourself, even if you were the generation that actually "went outside" or " talked to other people" you were the same generation that made these things harder. Maybe you had the best intentions. But issues current generations face weren't made by them before they existed. That's ridiculous. They were in development and production by at least someone in your generation.

I'm not saying you are a bad actor in your child's development. Only that thinking the sole bad actors are your child's generation, or any generation but yours, is stupid. YOU are raising YOUR kid. If they fall into a trap many of their peers did, you had a part in that. If they can resist or come back from that, that says something about you.

Yes there are other actors at play, maybe you never stood a chance against them. That's why I'm saying its not your fault.

But the impact a parent has on their child is profound. And I think its more influential than people give it credit for. Attitudes, personalities, and even schemas are all influenced by parents.

I only urge people to not wash their hands of their child's negative outcome, but snatching credit at a good outcome. We are creating the world the next generation lives in, and as a result we have a hand in what happens in it. So we should be careful to condescend or be repulsed when we see the next gen doing things we don't like. Since it is a reflection of what we have done.

EDIT:

Funnily enough I found this video after writing this, and I think a lot of what I talk about in my post goes hand in hand with the topic in the video. So many people infantalize their kids while raising them, and when they turn out delayed they throw up their hands and go "How did this happen?!? Something is wrong with this generation, why are they so weird and behind? My generation would never be like that!" Bro, you raised them. You infatalized them. You did this. Yes a generation can infantalize themselves, but someone put the idea in their heads. Someone is influencing them to make them realize thats an option. Just look at kids raised by no bs parents, who prioritize emotional maturity. You would think theyre a teen. Also the examples of kids forced to "grow up fast." The way we raise kids and the environment we make for them has a huge impact. They arent the main ones infantalizing. Ok, this mini rant has gone on long enough.

Nara Smith & the effects of infantilizing young adults