Breaking free: Gen Z embracing individuality

ARTICLE: MA. EMMYLOU SOLIDUM | FEBRUARY 3, 2024.

Picture this: a world where success is not solely defined by report cards. A world where children are happy for being themselves and not because of the academic validation they seek from their parents. You might scoff and say, “You wish,” right?

From the hushed corridors of parenthood, the echoes of tiger moms and helicopter dads once reigned supreme, making most of Generation Z and those born between 1997 and 2012 grow up with academic pressure.

We have to chase straight A’s to make our parents proud and hear the words “You did well” or “I’m proud of you.”

Kids, who experienced their formative years before and during the Great Recession, grew up with the internet, and a global pandemic are now entering adulthood and soon, parenthood. Will this new generation of parents break free from the chains of conventional wisdom? Will they open a future where their children don't just survive but thrive?

Maryjane, a mother of two, says that while it is important to push her children to do well in their studies, it is also essential for them to enjoy their childhood. For her, academic awards are just a ‘bonus.’

“I’m very happy and proud whenever I see them do well. It’s like repaying our hardships,” she said.

Previous generations prioritized building career stability and financial success–raising us with the notion to always be on top, for academic excellence equates to the personality and respect of a child.

Maryjane and her daughter, Shanaia, pose for a photo op after a school recognition ceremony

Valuing the lessons from this ‘traumatizing’ experience, Gen Z parents are also aware of the evolving nature of success. Unlike previous generations that have submerged us into academic pressure, Gen Z parents often prioritize personal fulfillment, mental well-being, and a sense of purpose.

Angela, a Gen Z, grew up in an environment where she was forced to be an academic achiever and was compared to other children. With that, she emphasizes that she will not push her child to be an academic achiever so they won't experience the same trauma she’s gone through.

“I’m there for her guidance and to support her in what she wants to do,” she says.

Angela celebrates her daughter’s first birthday.

Instead of fixating on traditional academic achievements, another Gen Z emphasizes the importance of having a sense of security.

Ban, not her real name, says that if she ever has a child, they might inherit their competitiveness, but she will not push them to be academic achievers. That’s why, for her, it is important to establish ‘security’ in her child’s life.

She said that she might introduce legal cases as bedtime stories and martial arts as dance to her child. In that way, she will have confidence that her child will not be pitiful, for they can protect themselves, physically or even legally, and will surely thrive in life when she’s gone.

As Gen Zs continue to navigate the academic expectations for their children, the landscape is evolving into a more delicate and compassionate space—the world we used to wish to see. In this new chapter of parenthood, the resounding message is clear: embrace the uniqueness of each child, nurture their passions, and let success be a reflection of a life well-lived.