The Estranged Generation

Many studies are being conducted today about Gen Z. With Gen Alpha on the rise, experts are already speculating about what the future might look like as these young people begin to enter adulthood. Yet, we still don’t fully understand today’s adolescents. All we seem to notice is their constant screen time, their apparent disconnection from the world around them. We label them—often unfairly—as illiterate, both literally and emotionally.

In reality, these are just assumptions we make without fully grasping the challenges teens are facing. We tend to believe that our life experience gives us the authority to look down on them, simply because we “know right from wrong”, all while constantly judging them.

But the truth is, none of us, the so-called experienced ones, have lived through times like the ones they’re experiencing now. We weren’t so conceited to the public eye. We didn’t face the same volume of external influences or have such immediate, overwhelming access to information. And do you know what happens when information is unfiltered and uncontrolled? Anxiety. It takes away the joy and enthusiasm.

We keep comparing this generation to previous ones, recalling the passions, boldness, and rebellion of our youth. But in many ways, we were the “blessed and simple-minded.” We knew far less, focused on fewer things, and explored them in depth. We had to actively seek out information, spending hours in libraries, relying on our own minds to process, filter, and create meaning. Our world simply cannot be compared to theirs.

Yet this new generation holds a major advantage: fresh perspectives and easy access to knowledge. They are introspective. They actively seek ways to feel better and care for their mental health. They are deep, even if they may come off as superficial. They want to grow. They have ideas. Their minds are racing, even if they don’t always show it. But what should they prove? That their thoughts are running a mile a minute—thoughts we might only comprehend 20% of? Should they seek help from people who barely understand the basics of their reality?

For many teens, the only breath of fresh air is their relationship with their parents. As researchers, we’re often struck by how openly and sincerely they express a desire to spend more time with family. That’s where they feel seen and emotionally supported unconditionally. Parents increasingly feel the need to be present, helping to create a sense of balance and emotional safety. But society at large isn’t ready for this generation. Teens don’t feel safe in the world. There’s too much noise, too much chaos, too much information. It’s hard for them to focus or gather their thoughts. So they choose to stay home, watch movies, scroll on their phones—anything that feels safe and predictable. At least online, things appear more stable and focused, even if it's only an illusion.

This is the estranged generation—living in an increasingly connected world. A group of young minds trying to tell us, in their own way, that they need empathy and connection. And that the world we built for them has drifted far too far from emotion.

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Generatia izolata  

Se fac numeroase studii in ziua de azi despre generatia Z. Urmeaza in curand alfa. Apar specialisti in domeniu din toate zonele. Cu totii ne intrebam care va fi viitorul, cu acesti tineri devenind adulti. Nu-I intelegem pe deplin. Ii vedem stand mult prea mult cu ochii in ecranele telefoanelor, complet decuplati de ce se intampla in jurul lor. Ii credem analfabeti functionali. Si emotional. In realitate prea putini din cei care isi dau cu parerea despre ei merg la “firul ierbii”, cum e la moda sa te exprimi acum. Ne uitam la ei de sus in jos, cu superioritatea experientei, si le explicam ce e bine si ce rau. Judecandu-i.

In realitate niciunul dintre noi, cei cu experienta, nu au trait vremuri ca cele pe care le traiesc ei. Nu au fost in ochiul public cum sunt ei acum. Nu au avut atatea repere si atata informatie cat au ei acum. Stiti ce produce informatia nefiltrata, in cantitate necontrolata? Anxietate. Fura fericirea si entuziasmul

Noi tot comparam generatia asta cu cele anterioare, cu pasiunile, dezinvoltura si rebeliunea pe care o aveam noi in tinerete. Eram de fapt in categoria “fericiti cei saraci cu duhul”. Stiam mult mai putine lucruri decat stiu ei acum, ne concentram pe cateva chestiuni si le aprofundam. Cautam informatia, nu venea ea peste noi. Stateam ore prin biblioteci si ne foloseam exclusiv puterea creierului de a procesa, crea, filtra informatie. Nu exista comparatie intre noi si ei.

Ei au un mare avantaj. Au creierul proaspat si foarte multa informatie. Sunt introspecti, cauta solutii sa se simta mai bine, sa fie sanatosi emotional. Sunt profunzi, chiar daca par superficiali. Vor sa creasca, au idei, le merg motoarele puternic, chiar daca nu ne arata noua. Ce sa ne arate? Cum le ruleaza in cap simultan zeci de filme din care noi am intelege poate 20%? Sa incerce sa ne explice ca au nevoie de ajutor unor oameni care nu stiu cu ce sa mananca lumea lor?

Singura gura de oxigen a celor mai multi dintre ei este relatia cu parintii. Noi, ca researcheri, suntem fascinati de cat de frumos si autentic vorbesc despre faptul ca vor sa petreaca mai mult timp cu familia. Acolo se simt acceptati si sustinuti afectiv neconditionat. Parintii simt ca trebuie sa fie alaturi de ei, ii ajuta sa aiba un spatiu personal echilibrat. Societatea insa nu e pregatita pentru aceasta generatie. In afara cuibului nu se simt in siguranta. In afara cuibului e prea multa galagie, prea mult haos, prea multa informatie. Nu se pot aduna si concentra. Si prefera sa stea in casa sa priveasca filme sau cu nasul in telefon. Acolo totul e sigur si predictibil si apare macar iluzia concentrarii

Aceasta este saraca generatie izolata intr-o lume tot mai conectata. Niste aliens care incerca sa ne explice ca au nevoie de empatie si conexiune si ca lumea in care traiesc, cea pe care noi am creat-o, s-a indepartat mult prea mult de emotii.

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