While every generation undoubtedly has its struggles, the ones within Gen Z interest us the most.

From love lives, social media, school, work, and so many other aspects, this generation struggles more than others.

RELATIONSHIPS

People used to write love letters, send flowers, and plan dates, along with other things.

Gen Z spends hours on a phone waiting for a text back, entertaining multiple people at once, settling for lust instead of genuine love, and the list continues.

If this generation continues down this path, it will never know what love truly looks like on a romantic level. Everyone is so obsessed with the idea of it that social media has formed.

All these new standards and views on love make no sense, yet we chase them anyway.

Our parents and grandparents were not worried about whether or not their boyfriend/girlfriend was sending a snap to another girl.

Why did we turn something so beautiful into something that’s practically dreaded?

The word love itself is not being used in the correct terms anymore. Our version of romance is viewed as a horror story to those before us.

BULLYING/HARASSMENT

While love is often highlighted as a common struggle, it’s important to recognize it’s not the only one. Bullying has become nearly normalized in today’s society.

Various excuses, such as parenting styles and the influence of technology, can be offered to explain this trend. However, even though children may not control their circumstances, they still play a significant role in how they choose to navigate the tools available to them.

There’s a crucial distinction between expressing an opinion and being outright cruel. Social media has created a direct avenue for cyberbullying, often with little to no consequences.

In this generation, being rude is sometimes seen as a trait that enhances one’s social status. As bullying becomes more common, we also see a rise in anxiety and depression among our youth.

We never know the silent battles someone is fighting in their mind, why add to their struggles?

People often underestimate the power of words. A thoughtless comment can linger in someone’s mind long after it’s been said, causing pain that is difficult to erase.

The impact of being rude can be devastating, even lethal, while the act of kindness has the potential to save lives. It’s a matter of what kind of society we want to cultivate.

We only live once, and making someone else’s life miserable does not enhance our own existence. Instead, let’s strive to uplift and support each other in a world that desperately needs kindness.

EDUCATION

School has transformed into either a race to the finish line or a punchline among friends.

Today, students are either fully engaged or completely disinterested; there’s rarely an in-between.

One of the biggest misconceptions about this generation compared to others is that technology has enhanced children’s learning.

Certainly, there are benefits and many more resources available, but significant downsides also exist. It has become romanticized to overlook lessons and incomplete assignments.

Now, some shortcuts enable students to offload assignments, including ChatGPT and other AI tools. But just how beneficial are they?

Students often fail to recognize that school isn’t solely about the content being taught; it’s about the life skills it cultivates in their minds.

If we continue on this path, this generation will have control over everything in the years to come, which at the moment can be concerning.

Kids constantly seek the easy way out, failing to understand that it’s the struggle that makes the journey worthwhile.

“What will I ever use this for?” is a question I’m sure everyone hears or even asks every day. Without an education, people would wander, glued to their phones.

An education empowers you, allowing you to be more than just a puppet for others. It gives you a voice and a personality, equipping you to succeed in life.

Being lazy and irresponsible will only set you up for failure in the future. Past generations viewed education as a blessing; it’s strange how quickly that perception has faded with the rise of social media platforms.

In some ways, this generation’s struggles mirror those of the past. It is our collective responsibility to break the negative habits we’ve developed over the years.

People need to be aware that sometimes, conforming to society’s twisted standards may not be in our best interest.