Are our Gen Z sons just different?

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if the myopia or smugness is worse. I also think you don’t know your kids if you seriously think they have zero problems or that their friends are exactly the same. Everyone sweats some small stuff. And the “yes ma’am” is just cringe. Live your own life.

[Anonymous]

My kids are gen alpha/beta, but my gen z brothers are gainfully employed adults in stable relationships (well, one is still in school, but he's on the way) and so are most of their friends.

[Anonymous]

Was this written by AI?

[Anonymous]

I guess you’re just a superior parent, op. ( Is that enough or should i be more more fulsome?)

[Anonymous]

Sincere question for OP. Where were your sons raised what city and state?

I work directly with a ton of military, active duty, young men, and they all sound like OP’s sons. Some will say that the military did that to them, but I think the reverse is true and they were upstanding young men before they commit committed to service.

One thing I’ve noticed about them as they tend to to absolutely not be from the eastern seaboard or Los Angeles or San Francisco smaller cities in California, yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons in their early and mid-twenties. They don’t whine or complain about life. They work hard and play hard with their large friend groups. I don’t believe they’ve touched a video game controller since college. They’re not softies. When they speak with older people it’s always yes ma’am and no sir. The younger one has had a girlfriend for 5 years and the other is married. They’re gainfully employed and living on their own. They work out and eat healthy, but still have a few drinks with friends on weekends. They enjoy life to the fullest and never sweat the small stuff.

Everything I read about Gen Z doesn’t comport with our lived experience. It’s not like we’re the parents of the year. Did we just get lucky, or are others experiencing the same thing?

Where exactly are you reading this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons in their early and mid-twenties. They don’t whine or complain about life. They work hard and play hard with their large friend groups. I don’t believe they’ve touched a video game controller since college. They’re not softies. When they speak with older people it’s always yes ma’am and no sir. The younger one has had a girlfriend for 5 years and the other is married. They’re gainfully employed and living on their own. They work out and eat healthy, but still have a few drinks with friends on weekends. They enjoy life to the fullest and never sweat the small stuff.

Everything I read about Gen Z doesn’t comport with our lived experience. It’s not like we’re the parents of the year. Did we just get lucky, or are others experiencing the same thing?

Where exactly are you reading this?

Did you miss this post?

Anonymous wrote:It’s commonly known that young men are struggling.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/young-men-struggling-slowing-job-market-college-degree-rcna224482

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emptying-the-nest/202505/falling-behind-struggling-young-men-in-todays-workforce

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/opinion/young-men.html

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250430-scott-galloway-men-struggling-katty-kay-interview

[Anonymous]

You are the only parent OP
No one else has adult children like you.

Congratulations! and nice humble brag
Go pat yourself on the back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sincere question for OP. Where were your sons raised what city and state?

Round Hill

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons in their early and mid-twenties. They don’t whine or complain about life. They work hard and play hard with their large friend groups. I don’t believe they’ve touched a video game controller since college. They’re not softies. When they speak with older people it’s always yes ma’am and no sir. The younger one has had a girlfriend for 5 years and the other is married. They’re gainfully employed and living on their own. They work out and eat healthy, but still have a few drinks with friends on weekends. They enjoy life to the fullest and never sweat the small stuff.

Everything I read about Gen Z doesn’t comport with our lived experience. It’s not like we’re the parents of the year. Did we just get lucky, or are others experiencing the same thing?

Where exactly are you reading this?

Did you miss this post?

Anonymous wrote:It’s commonly known that young men are struggling.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/young-men-struggling-slowing-job-market-college-degree-rcna224482

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emptying-the-nest/202505/falling-behind-struggling-young-men-in-todays-workforce

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/opinion/young-men.html

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250430-scott-galloway-men-struggling-katty-kay-interview

Are you the OP?

[Anonymous]

Such an odd post. Your "lived experience" is different than a few articles that you read? You really need help figuring that out?

[Anonymous]

Well my Gen Z boy is about to turn 13 but so far on track to be a good kid and healthy adult. I have a couple Gen Z coworkers who are all completely socially normal and acceptable and my Gen Z nephew who is 22 is a bit more of an introvert and plays video games but has had a steady relationship, employment, and housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons in their early and mid-twenties. They don’t whine or complain about life. They work hard and play hard with their large friend groups. I don’t believe they’ve touched a video game controller since college. They’re not softies. When they speak with older people it’s always yes ma’am and no sir. The younger one has had a girlfriend for 5 years and the other is married. They’re gainfully employed and living on their own. They work out and eat healthy, but still have a few drinks with friends on weekends. They enjoy life to the fullest and never sweat the small stuff.

Everything I read about Gen Z doesn’t comport with our lived experience. It’s not like we’re the parents of the year. Did we just get lucky, or are others experiencing the same thing?

Where exactly are you reading this?

Did you miss this post?

Anonymous wrote:It’s commonly known that young men are struggling.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/young-men-struggling-slowing-job-market-college-degree-rcna224482

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emptying-the-nest/202505/falling-behind-struggling-young-men-in-todays-workforce

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/opinion/young-men.html

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250430-scott-galloway-men-struggling-katty-kay-interview

Both things can be true. There may be increased rates of loneliness, depression, anxiety about their place in an increasingly competitive work world, drug dependency, etc., among young men but still lots of young men (likely the majority of young men) are doing fine and have good social skills.
I do think it's a lttle unusual not to play ANY video games EVER -- sort of like unusual for young men not to watch any sports. Games, in a variety of formats, are a common way for young men to socialize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have two sons in their early and mid-twenties. They don’t whine or complain about life. They work hard and play hard with their large friend groups. I don’t believe they’ve touched a video game controller since college. They’re not softies. When they speak with older people it’s always yes ma’am and no sir. The younger one has had a girlfriend for 5 years and the other is married. They’re gainfully employed and living on their own. They work out and eat healthy, but still have a few drinks with friends on weekends. They enjoy life to the fullest and never sweat the small stuff.

Everything I read about Gen Z doesn’t comport with our lived experience. It’s not like we’re the parents of the year. Did we just get lucky, or are others experiencing the same thing?

Where exactly are you reading this?

Did you miss this post?

Anonymous wrote:It’s commonly known that young men are struggling.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/young-men-struggling-slowing-job-market-college-degree-rcna224482

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/emptying-the-nest/202505/falling-behind-struggling-young-men-in-todays-workforce

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/opinion/young-men.html

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20250430-scott-galloway-men-struggling-katty-kay-interview

Are you the OP?

I’m a person that has access to Google. Do you not have access? How about YouTube? Perhaps you’re an auditory learner.

BTW, this isn’t new, Galloway has been on this for years. This Maher clip is from 3 years ago.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure they’re great people, but I doubt you know what goes on in their lives as well as you think you do. If you look at the Family forum, many limit what info they share with family.