My 23-year-old son, Josh, visited recently. In the late evening hours, when hearts always seem to be a little more open, we found ourselves discussing the generational differences we all experience as we mature.
Without question, Gen Zs (those born between 1997 and 2012) are facing a radically different world than any of us did who are even just one generation older, let alone two or three. They are moving into adulthood during one of the most complicated shifts psychologically and socially of any generation prior. They are, in some ways, less rooted by guiding traditions and yet are struggling to navigate an overwhelming abundance of information, choices, expectations and uncertainty.
Sadly, they are also feeling a deep sense of hopelessness compounded by the relentless onslaught of negative information that is coming at them from all sides.
As my son articulated his concerns about the environment and climate change, the ever-increasing threat of artificial intelligence replacing employment opportunities, the political divide as wide as the Grand Canyon and the distribution of misinformation that means they never quite know what or whom to trust, it was obvious that so much is constantly wearing on our young adults. Even worse, it is hard for them to grab hold of hope.
They have been told for their entire lives that if they work hard, get a good education and make good decisions, they will have a better life. Can’t you almost see their eyes rolling as they respond to such supposedly sage advice by asking, “So why, then, are college grads unable to find a job? Who is going to be able to afford a home that is $500,000 or more? We don’t even know where to turn to for honest news, let alone for advice on how to get the very things in life that you were able to have.”
And they are right. Looking across at my beloved son, words of encouragement were hard to find. Many of us older adults are also shaking our heads in concern and doubt. But the one thing that we can offer our youth is something that is less and less a focal point of family and community life.
Faith. Spirituality. A sense of possibility and optimism.
As our institutions crumble around us, we are missing something that would provide us with a buoy to cling to that will keep us all afloat. We have spent decades focusing our teaching and parenting on things of this world, while millions abandon the one thing that helped carry prior generations through the toughest of times … two world wars, the Depression, and the chaos and social reorganization of the 1960s. As we pushed our teens to beef up their college applications with advanced courses and hundreds of volunteer hours, as we continually drove them to sports practices and filled every single evening with participation at dance class, Scouts and music lessons, our good intentions neglected one very important part of what makes us all happier humans. We neglected to tend their souls, to provide them with something to cling to when life inevitably throws them curveballs.
It isn’t just Gen Zs who need some way to feed their souls; it is all of us. That doesn’t have to mean “church attendance” or practicing a particular religion if that is not your cup of tea. However, we each need to have our souls nurtured so that we become more resilient, more hope-filled, more discerning and more compassionate.
Guiding our young people to do soul-enriching things such as being out in nature, reading meaningful literature, engaging in rich conversations, or participating in acts of art and creation are all ways in which the soul grows. Serving others without recognition, practicing humility and living with gratitude daily are actions that create a more peaceful heart, as well as enhance our lives exponentially.
When such things are not encouraged, our souls become flat and lifeless. We lack light in our lives when we don’t find some way to tap and train that part of us that isn’t about proving our worth or succeeding in this cut-throat world. We need to be taught how to view the world through a more forgiving and gentler lens, for the world itself fights us all the way and pushes us to be harsher and more calloused.
We older folks also need to share our own stories of feeling discouraged and how we came through challenging times. While doing so, we need to set aside pride and the desire to be the one with all the answers, and recognize that what worked for us in our era of maturing into adulthood may not be a wise path in this era. We need to make space for those younger than us to be able to move upward, to take on leadership roles and to follow their own unique directions that may involve things we don’t really understand. If we do all of this, we might actually earn the term “sage.”
The Athol Congregational Church at 1225 Chestnut St. is a local community of faith that celebrates in-person worship and also livestreams its services on Facebook under “Athol Congregational Videos.” The church pastors and members are available for conversation on the Athol Congregational Church Facebook page and through private messages.