Dear Gen Z: You Are Not a Doomed Generation
Dear Gen Z,
I’ve been hearing lately from some of you—hearing about the impact of messages you get about the world that awaits your generation’s launch into adulthood.
You hear these messages in many places—the news, social media, the classroom, even the dinner table—and they contain an ominous threat:
You’re doomed.
Good luck—you’re going to need it.
Glad I’m not you.
You have nothing to look forward to with AI on the rise and no skills to save yourselves.
I imagine what it’s like to hear your teachers opine about your generation’s lack of social skills and low test scores. About economic uncertainty, unemployment, AI taking away jobs, and a mental health crisis that seems to be debilitating young people in droves. How discouraging it must feel to think that the world anticipates your introduction to adult life to be underwhelming at best and a complete disaster at worst.
Here’s the thing I encourage you to remember: observations about a large group don’t apply to every individual within that group, and group trends do not determine individual outcomes. If you were born between 1997 and 2012 you may be especially primed to hear lamentations about the impacts of screen time, social media, and the Covid pandemic and believe you’re been set up for failure. But you haven’t. These topics are important fodder for study by social psychologists, but they are no reason to relinquish your agency.
You, as an individual, have an extraordinary superpower. It’s called choice.
You can choose to be teachable, learning from your own experience and the wisdom of others.
You can choose to challenge assumptions.
You can choose to invest in people, work hard, use your time wisely, and own your own decisions.
You can choose to serve.
You can choose to give.
You can choose to do the hard thing rather than the expedient thing.
You can choose gratitude, humility, grace, and forgiveness.
There is no such thing as a doomed generation, because generations are collections of individual people who have choices. You may not choose the circumstances of your life, but you choose the attitude with which you live. You didn’t pick when you were born, but you get to choose what you’re known for by the people who know you best.
In Acts 17 we learn that God made “every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth,” and that He “determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” (Acts 17:26) In other words, God knew exactly when and where you would live, and He determined your place in this generation on purpose. And do you know why He chose this time and place for you? Just as with every generation before you and every generation to come, God’s intent is “that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” (Acts 17: 27)
Each and every one of you members of Gen Z is beloved by God and invited to seek Him and know Him. Every one of you has the choice to live a life with purpose, marked by the decisions you make about how to embrace the opportunities that come your way. Don’t let discouraging messages about your generation keep you from accepting the challenge of a meaningful life. You have as much potential as any other generation who has ever walked the earth. Own it, and make of it what you will.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
If you’re part of Gen Z and feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or uncertain about your future, support is available.
At Firm Foundation Family Services, we provide:
Teen counseling
Young adult therapy
Anxiety and depression support
Faith-based counseling options
We serve individuals, couples, and families throughout Northern Virginia.
👉 Schedule a consultation today.
FAQs
Why does Gen Z struggle with mental health?
Gen Z has grown up during rapid technological change, increased social media exposure, economic uncertainty, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While these factors can contribute to stress and anxiety, individual outcomes vary greatly. Personal resilience, support systems, and access to counseling all play important roles.
Is Gen Z really a “doomed generation”?
No generation is doomed. While statistics may highlight trends, individuals are not defined by group data. Personal choices, community support, and faith can shape meaningful, purpose-filled lives.
How can Gen Z build resilience?
Resilience can be developed through:
Healthy relationships
Personal responsibility
Faith and spiritual growth
Therapy or counseling support
Developing coping skills
When should a teen or young adult consider counseling?
If a young person is experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, hopelessness, difficulty functioning, or feeling stuck about their future, counseling can provide tools, perspective, and emotional support.