IS GEN-Z & GEN-A THE MOST INDISCIPLINE GENERATION?

IS GEN-Z & GEN-A THE MOST INDISCIPLINE GENERATION? (Mwalimu Malata Benson takes an insight historical dissection).

This is a product and a manifestation of extreme socio-economic, political and technological dynamism from parents categorized as millennials and Gen-X.

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Parents of GEN-Z & GEN – A were once children born in the period 1970s- 1980s, often referred to as Gen-Xers and Millennials or Generation Y, are known for their strong liberal digital skills, higher ambition, and a desire for work-life balance. They tend to be highly seeking individual recognition and teamwork.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PARENTS TO GEN-Z & GEN-A

GEN-Zs are a product of parents who are highly regarded as Digital Natives: early Technology Adoption:
Millennials grew up with the rise of the internet and personal computers, making them comfortable with technology and online tools. Television and radio was the most commonly digital Media. Most families highly valued TV as it connected Kenya to African, American, Europe and Asia countries.

The comfort with digital platforms like TV displayed artistic programs from West Africa and Europe that became source of comparison on culture and traditions around the socio-economic and political traditions in Kenya. Their parents are adept at using social media, smartphones, and other digital devices. Technology formed the basis of revolution as the shift skewed towards Europe, Asia and America.

Secondly, valued Ambition and Achievement was highly publicized. These parents became goal-Oriented. Millennials are known for being ambitious and driven to achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. And any single sociocultural threats were fought indiscriminately. With high desire for Success, they value achievement and want to make an impact in their chosen fields

Thirdly, parents to GEN-Z struggled with Work-Life Balance:
Importance of Personal Time. They are often more interested in maintaining a good work-life balance than older generations, valuing time with family and friends with exemplary characteristics of flexibility and Adaptability to new environments and seek out opportunities that offer a better balance between work and personal life.

Teamwork and Collaboration from cohorts was highly advocated for. While also seeking individual recognition, Millennials value working in teams and contributing to a group effort.

Questioning Political, Religious and Authority

Millennials are known for questioning traditional authority and seeking out their own paths.

Diversity and Inclusivity:
They are generally more open-minded and inclusivity, valuing diversity and embracing new ideas.

IS GEN-Z & GEN-A THE MOST INDISCIPLINE GENERATION? — Mwalimu Malata Benson with Principal and Prefects of Imbale High School

Financial Awareness:
They are often more aware of financial issues and are more likely to be frugal and save for the future. Focus is highly on financial matters than anything else. These parents could work for longer hours to increase economic well being. Parenthood was abdicated and left to maids. Who were the maids? Children from other failed families as well some adults who survivors and rebels from family abuses from social – economic frustrating integers.

They became parenting role models as chromosomic parents arrived late in the evening and at dawn. Some of these maids ended up directing their frustrations to innocent children and being moulded to becoming drugs and substance abuse; cases of alcoholism and sexual perverseness like homosexual and lesbianism at a tender age.

Impact of the 1980s- Growing Up in a Changing World:

Millennials and Gen- z grew up during a period of significant social and technological change, including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the fight for independence in Africa, the rise of the internet, and the beginning of the global economy.

Influence of Media and Pop Culture

They were shaped by popular culture trends, including music, movies, and TV shows, that defined the 1970s -1990s. They even rebelled when parents denied them to watch programs like, ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ from the leading Kenyan media by then. Family talks especially in the evening were replaced by TV screens.

Most TV programs highlighted emerging relevant issues ranging from child space in the society, women freedom and domestic violence. As a dramatic script, it suggested imaginative conflict resolution mechanisms. Children silently became rebellious and only manifested in adulthood as some chose to settle far away from home village; far from the oppressors.

ARE PARENTS TO ‘GEN-Z’ & ‘GEN-A’ A REBELLIOUS COHORT?

Championed with the slogan, “Freedom of Expression and I know my rights”, parents to GEN-Z and GEN-A are a pure product of rebellious outfit that selfishly seeked individual recognition from a team they termed as ‘ Oppressors’. They highly prefer a free style life and any policies and guidelines in all institutions starting from the family unit, religious level, education level, security departments as well as economic and political institutions must be fought with the last breath.

Apparently, approximately 20% of these parents economically operated above middle class economic status. They chose to rebel against public schools and chose private schools where they could micromanage the child’s early school life. While being driven with a feeling, “My child shouldn’t suffer the way I did” rented in their thoughts. Children received a good life with focus on no suffering. They grew up with high expectations and immediate positive feedback. Perseverance as virtue was packed and donated to Gen-Xers.

Mwalimu Malata training prefect of Goibei Girls - Vihiga — Mwalimu Malata training prefect of Goibei Girls – Vihiga

Awareness on child discipline was disregarded and punishment in schools was outlawed but unfortunately mechanisms to enhance discipline was curtailed. “Don’t touch my child” was highly embraced. Most parents pampered their children. Parents were willing to even participate in exam malpractice at school in favor of their children. Majority of the current group of generation calling themselves GEN-Z and GEN-A are a pure academic products of exam malpractice and a rot system in schools as well as family level.

They chose to rebel against religion on issues of dress code and system of worship. Parents, especially elderly attended religious services while those in 30s to 40s defied going to family worship centers but chose their own religious path to serve their social and economic ambitions. Religious leaders therefore adjusted their summons and operations to address them on ‘wealth gospel’. Easy money making gospel and social – economic fantasy was preached hard with desert emphasis on fundamental values and virtues. We therefore have a generation that disregard virtues and values. Matters of spirituality has been placed on neglect table.

Marriage institution that forms the basis of family was highly revolted against. Gender institutions like FIDA popped and misused. Such organization highly advocated for equal status in marriage institution. Divorce and single parenthood was highly advocated for. Children perceived their father as their primary source of family troubles.

DID SINGLE PARENTHOOD PLAY A ROLE?

Most children were therefore raised with single parenthood as one or both parents emphasized on economic awareness in major towns as well as across the border. Some children were left under the hospice care of mother’s while some well left to grandmothers as well as other close relatives.

DID A CHANGE IN EDUCATION POLICIES IMPACT NEGATIVE TO GEN-Zs?

The Kenyan government’s 100% transition policy faces significant challenges, primarily due to inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and financial constraints for parents. These issues have made it difficult to provide all students with access to secondary education and maintain quality education to children. The emphasis was shifted to quantity rather than quality.

The high affiliation to white collar jobs with much emphasis on university education surged the country into an academic maneuver. Parents used all crued means to assist their children score highly in national exams.

Since 2016, the education sector focused more on tertiary education. Since 2016, only 20% manage university entry grade. What is the fate of 80%? Still in denial, a few enroll in politechnics and TTIs while some resort to migrate to urban centers with hope of getting jobs only to be frustrated with global bitting economy. It is unfortunate that some young people become more frustrated as they chose courses that disappointed them further. They couldn’t be employed or even employ themselves.

WHY IS THE ANGER NOW ON POLITICIANS?

While the global struggles with myriad of challenges, political class have raised their hands as a source of hope on key challenges like:

Climate change: This global issue has the potential to reshape our environment, disrupt ecosystems, and lead to devastating natural disasters. The need to discuss the urgency of addressing climate change, explore potential solutions, or delve into the effects it has on certain populations.
Income inequality: The widening gap between the rich and the poor is a pressing concern in many countries. The need to explore economic policy, social mobility, and the impacts of income inequality on health and education, to name just a few key areas.
Mental health: With an increasing number of people facing mental health challenges, it’s important to address the stigma, access to care, and the need for a more comprehensive understanding of mental health conditions.
Access to education: Many people around the world, particularly in developing countries, still face barriers to obtaining quality education. The challenges affecting change of curriculum implementation from 8.4.4 to CBC system.
Artificial intelligence and automation: As technology advances, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation on the job market is a critical subject. Questions surrounding the ethics of AI, job displacement, and the future of work can be explored in this context.
Social justice and racial inequality: Addressing systemic tribalism, racism, empowering marginalized communities, and creating a more inclusive society are important goals in achieving social justice. And challenge, such as police reform, criminal justice, or diversity and representation in media.
Healthcare access and affordability: Many countries, even wealthy ones like the United States, still struggle with providing affordable, quality healthcare to their citizens. The challenges on reforms regarding universal healthcare, and public health initiatives.

Sharing Kiswahili knowledge with 2024 candidates of St. John's Girls Kaloleni — Mwalimu Benson Malata sharing Kiswahili knowledge with 2024 candidates of St. John’s Girls Kaloleni

The top global issues include climate change, poverty, food insecurity, wars and conflicts, rising economy, human rights violations, and global health challenges. Other significant issues include refugee rights, pandemic preparedness, healthcare access, mental health, and disability rights. Additionally, issues like water contamination, children’s well-being, and the UN’s role in global affairs are also important to be mentioned.

The political class has been regarded as the only solution to challenges bedeviling mankind and and limitations is welcomed with resistance movement.

HAVE POLITICAL OPPONENTS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF CURRENT CRISIS?

Youths form a large population that faces the bites of global challenges and majority have fallen pray to predating politicians who are taking advantage of their situation to advance their political scores. The shift is now on using young people and especially those is schools, colleges and universities to propagate their dirty agenda.

IS THERE HOPE?

There is hope only when societies and groups will propergate awareness. Family institution together with religious body should take a leading role to create awareness regarding global crisis. And that rebellions and demonstrations is not the best remedies.

Thanks

Mwalimu Malata Benson

I successfully handle:

Goal setting
Content retention techniques
Content mastery techniques
Academic Success model
Obstacles to effective content retention

Am burning with knowledge; invite me 🤔🤔🤔

Mwalimu Malata Benson

To invite me in your school
Call/ text 0728701795
He is running Programs in over 600 schools
1) His Academic Mentorship Programs are about content mastery skills, content retention techniques, content delivery approaches, proper revision strategies, proven reading cultures, practical study habits, target setting, Candidates Academic Therapy (CAT)
2) He is a renown Kiswahili facilitator in 135 secondary schools across the country.
3) Trainer of students leaders in 18 schools
4) He is a Trainer of Principals during KESSHA and KEPSHA conferences and teachers in 3 subcounties.
5) He is an author of 5 Kiswahili revision books
6) He is a renown teacher- Musingu School
7) He is organizer of subject contests for students since 2014
8) He is organizer of teachers subjects workshops and seminar across the country since 2014
9) He is invited privately to share at family level with children on: Academic Discipline, study habits, career choices, indiscipline cases etc
10) Invited by organizations to share with a cohort
11) Invited by Principals and HoI to share with teachers
12) Invited to schools to share with candidates, students and pupils