I have lived for over four decades and when I think back to the world I grew up in, how things looked, felt, and worked, it’s wild to see just how much has changed both within and around us. From family dynamics and parenting styles to social and political landscapes, the shifts are undeniable plenty. While some things have indeed fallen apart, much has also gained, especially in the realms of science and technology.
It makes me pause sometimes and wonder.
What really makes this new generation so different from ours?
What do they have that we didn’t?
What’s actually true about them?
From my findings, the Truth of This Generation is:
They’ve grown up in a world that’s always on constant updates, constant connection, and constant noise. And yet, many feel more emotionally disconnected than ever.
They’re more aware of the world, its beauty, its messiness, its injustice and so on, than we ever were at their age. And that awareness has sparked a bold desire to change things. But it’s also brought anxiety, pressure, and a deep sense of overwhelm.
They’re always connected, but often lonely. We see them scrolling, swiping, laughing at videos, but behind the screens, many are struggling. With mental health. With identity. With trying to find where they fit in a world that feels like it’s burning and rebuilding all at once.
Maybe…
They’re not lazy.
They’re not entitled.
But tired. Tired of trying to keep up. Of being told to hustle harder. Of inheriting a broken system and being expected to fix it before they’ve even had a chance to breathe.
Yet they show up.
With creativity. With heart. With courage to ask the hard questions we never dared to. They’re not giving up, they’re just doing things differently.
They’re not lost. They’re evolving and demanding a new kind of hope. They’re not the problem. They’re the reflection.
No, they’re not perfect. But neither were we. And perfection was never the point. Growth is.
So here’s what I’d say to those of us who came before:
Let’s stop pointing fingers from a distance.
Let’s sit down and listen.
Let’s have real conversations, not just lectures.
Let’s guide without trying to control.
Let’s remember that we, too, once felt misunderstood.
Because every generation has its battles. Its brilliance. Its blind spots.
And if we want to build bridges instead of walls, we have to meet them where they are, not where we wish they were.
In the end, it’s not about who had it harder.
It’s about how we help each other move forward, with more understanding, more compassion, and more hope, together.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
