What Can Generation Z Bring?.....

I really enjoy comments and criticism on my thoughts and writing. At least it shows me somebody is actually reading and paying attention out there. One person that regularly lets me know about it is my daughter. I respect her opinion because she is a learned microbiologist and graduate student. So she's gotta' know something. Anyway, she thinks I should write about more serious topics. Too many fluff pieces she thinks.

That may be true. But only because they're easy and fast to write. I just write some clever lines off the top of my head. Serious topics I actually have to think more and do research about. Nevertheless, today I will write about kids. Generation Z - Promise and Problems. Sounds ominous.

First, let's do some generational definitions.

Baby Boomers - the Woodstock generation.

Baby Boomers are considered people born after World War II and through 1964. They are now between 51 and 70 years old. That's me. We are the children of something termed The Greatest Generation. We are now members of AARP. We are/were a huge group. We think of ourselves as social revolutionary's when we were young. Less accepting of traditional values. But I think, the older we get, the more like our parents we become. Perhaps our lasting influence may be making an environment where larger change is possible

Next is Generation X. Born from about 1961 to 1981.  They are highly educated, but not likely to idolize political leaders. They are jaded cynics. Sometimes called the Watergate generation. They know that corruption and lies can come from anywhere. Also known as the MTV generation. (Ya' see kids - MTV , back in the day would play music videos almost exclusively.)

Millennials live with social media; probably killed the US Mail.

Millenials, or Generation Y, were born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. Sometimes known as the Baby Boomers Baby's or Trophy Babies. You get conflicting opinions about this group. Some say they are more prone to be civic minded. Others say they are narcissistic consumerists. The Pew Research Institute says Millennials are detached from institutions, but more attached to friends. They seem to want change and are more tolerant of different groups. They have grown up with a computer in their house and gave birth to social media.

Today's kids - plenty of  "virtual" friends.

That brings us to today's Generation Z. They are born from the late 1990s to now. Sometimes called the iGen. Their most prominent feature is that they come from nontraditional families. Marriage rates have fallen, while divorce rates are rising. While same-sex marriage may not be common, it is legal in many places these days. Born with a smartphone in their hands, they probably have never gotten on an airplane without taking their shoes off. They can answer any questions within seconds because of access to the Internet. But do they want to answer? Do they know what to ask? (Hey, they're just kids). They seem to have less belief in the American dream after watching parents and older siblings struggle. They worry about college debt, or even affording a college education. They may have thousands of "friends" whom they've never met. Terrorism and senseless acts of violence seem to be a part of everyday life. To which there seems to be little protection.

Most are not quite old enough to vote in the next Presidential election in this country. Considering the candidates, maybe that's a good thing.

Good luck kids!

Because of the success and failures of past generations, the weight of the world is on their shoulders.

Parents always want their kids to live a better life than they had. To live in a better world. I guess in the end, it depends on your definition of the word "better".