Values imparted to kids by Generation Z: The balance between self-interest and technology usage and its advantages
In a groundbreaking study, Maya Dovgal, a graduate of the Philosophy Department of Tomsk State University, delved into the values instilled by Generation Z parents in their children. Dovgal's thesis, titled "Practices and Models of Parenting in Generation Z", explores contemporary parenting styles among this generation and highlights several key findings.
- Generation Z Parenting Characteristics
- Gen Z parents tend to blend traditional and modern approaches, emphasizing emotional support, open communication, and flexibility.
- They often prioritize mental health and emotional intelligence development in their children, adapting to rapid social and technological changes.
- Healthy Egoism
- The thesis identifies "healthy egoism" as a significant concept in Gen Z parenting—encouraging children to develop self-respect, assertiveness, and personal boundaries without fostering selfishness.
- This balanced self-focus is seen as crucial for building confident, independent individuals capable of empathy and collaboration.
- Critical Thinking Emphasis
- A strong emphasis on nurturing critical thinking skills is evident. Gen Z parents encourage questioning, problem-solving, and media literacy from an early age to prepare children for a complex, information-rich world.
- This approach aims at fostering autonomy and resilience against misinformation.
- Changes in Modern Families
- The thesis discusses how family structures and dynamics are evolving, with more diverse and non-traditional models (e.g., single-parent households, blended families, co-parenting setups).
- It notes that Gen Z parents often adopt more egalitarian roles, sharing caregiving and household responsibilities more evenly than previous generations.
- Modern families reflect greater openness to cultural diversity and adaptability in parenting styles.
Dovgal's work underscores Generation Z parents as progressive, mindful, and adaptive, focusing on raising self-aware, critically thinking, and emotionally healthy children within increasingly varied family frameworks.
Notably, young parents in Generation Z are striving to avoid emotional outbursts and refrain from physical punishment. They are also more likely to support their child's interests regardless of gender, with some participants in the study noting that they would not object if their child, regardless of gender, wanted to engage in activities traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
Moreover, fathers in Generation Z are taking on more recreational roles, leading to a more relaxed, playful parenting style. Ignoring children and "time-out" punishments have been eliminated from the parenting process of young parents in Generation Z.
Masha, a researcher who conducted in-depth interviews with 16 young parents (aged 21-29) who have at least one child aged one year or older for her thesis, is considering continuing her research in this field and plans to become a mother herself in the future. However, she reports that some negative behavioral patterns may be applied in Generation Z parenting based on personal experiences, potentially leading to instances of domestic violence.
Maya Dovgal emphasizes the concept of "healthy selfishness" in Generation Z parenting, teaching children to make decisions based on their own feelings while considering others. Zoomer parents are using softer emotional discipline practices, such as explaining why a behavior was wrong and apologizing when necessary.
Dovgal's work on changes in modern families and domestic violence, including her thesis on parenting in Generation Z, was described in an article on the TSU website. Her research is a valuable contribution to understanding the evolving dynamics of family life and parenting in the 21st century.
- Gen Z parents, as revealed in Maya Dovgal's study, value science and health-and-wellness, incorporating emotional support and open communication into their parenting style to prioritize their children's mental health and emotional intelligence.
- The emphasis on critical thinking skills in Gen Z parenting implies a focus on education and self-development, with an aim to prepare children for a complex, information-rich world.
- Fitness and exercise are also suggested in Dovgal's work, as Generation Z parents are seen adopting more relaxed, playful parenting styles that encourage physical activities.
- In the realm of family-health, Dovgal's research indicates that Gen Z parents are promoting personal growth by encouraging their children to develop self-respect and assertiveness without fostering selfishness.
- Regarding parenting, Gen Z parents are showing career development by sharing caregiving and household responsibilities more equitably and being more open to non-traditional family structures.
- In the process of lifelong learning, Gen Z parents are learning about their children's interests and supporting them, regardless of gender, to engage in activities traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
- Dovgal's research underscores the importance of goal-setting and skills-training in Gen Z parenting, teaching children to make decisions based on their own feelings while considering others.
