• The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis.

• This current global pandemic is a formative period for our youth.

• Older generations need to support and accommodate them.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents risks to the safety, development, and rights of the world’s children.

Generation Z (Gen Z) is the young generation.

Their stress rate is higher than that of any previous generation.

The pandemic adds more stress to youth’s already high stress levels.

The pandemic is likely to continue for an extended period.

It is an important time to support our young generation.

EFFECTS OF  THE  PANDEMIC:

The pandemic is affecting our youth in many ways.

Depending upon world location there could be different issues.

Some issues are:

• Concern about the spread of the virus;

• Effects on health and well being;

• Strict social distancing measures;

• School and workplace closure;

• Limited contact with friends;

• Closures lasting longer than expected;

• Changing teaching and learning environments;

• Disruption of their academic journey;

• Parents unemployed;

• Loss of household income;

• Worry about the health of their families;

• Loss of family members and the associated grief;

• Lack of access to basic food essentials;

• Increase in family violence;

• Major effects on the economy;

• Summer jobs, internships, and full-time jobs cancelled;

• Possible recession in much of the world;

• Bigger impact on the lower socioeconomic populations;

• Political changes and impact on the world;

• Increase in racism and discrimination; and

• Mental health challenges.

ADAPTING:

For Generation Z, the current global pandemic is a formative moment.

The younger, more impressionable demographic groups will be effected.

They are still developing key elements in their approach to life.

The future is uncertain.

Events like the current pandemic:

• Often create fear and uncertainty;

• Change how people view the world, the past, and the future;

• Effect how people take risks and make decisions.

They are part of the most racially and ethnically diverse generation.

They embrace those differences in ways adults seem to struggle.

Gen Z has always had the internet at their fingertips.

They are now utilizing the same digital skills to their advantage.

The pandemic will change how they view work and learning.

They often become more attached to an online network of friends.

They are not limited to a geographic-based community.

They feel more supported by others.

They learn to cope with their own challenges.

They are resilient and innovative.

They can navigate multiple worlds.

They bounce between physical and digital spaces with ease.

They push boundaries and challenge norms.

They are courageous and put themselves out there for the world to see and criticize.

They find ingenious ways to compensate for any gaps they have.

They are on track to become the most well educated generation yet.

Gen Z showed some of the lowest levels of concern about the coronavirus.

They tend to use online tools to stay close to friends and family.

Gen Z shows the lowest sense of disruption.

Gen Z is ahead of the curve on using technology.

LEARNINGS:

Coping with the global pandemic requires flexibility, agility, and resilience.

Such unplanned interruptions force people to be adaptable and resourceful.

Positive outcomes have often resulted from such incidents.

They need to have a strong, collective effort to combat this.

They have a better chance to help each other.

They could unite and work together to solve problems.

They might discover ‘less is more’ and not the consumerism of previous generations.

 

HOW TO HELP:

We have a chance to transform the way we nurture and invest in the young generation.

Older generations need to support and accommodate them.

We need Generation Z in the long term and they need our support today.

It is a tough time to be a young person and it will be that way for a long time.

ENCOURAGE DISCUSSIONS:

There’s almost always some good that can stem from adverse situations.

For example:

Let the adversity:

• weed out what’s wrong and clarify what’s important;

• drive wise decisions to improve conditions;

• create an urgency about solving the biggest problems.

ENCOURAGE PROJECTS:

Suggest they work on projects:

• Find something or someone you care about. Discover if there is a need or a problem to solve. Determine what resources you have to offer.

• Begin small and start focusing on meeting that need.

• Watch to see if it grows into something bigger.

• Enjoy the pleasure felt when you serve others.

ENCOURAGE COOPERATION:

Discuss why cooperation works better than competition.

ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY:

Research and present the results of where it has been shown that diversity is a big strength.

 

There is an overwhelming sense of need, but also a sense of hope.

Youth who support people in crises tend to feel more connected to their community.

We are investing in belief and hope that tomorrow will be better than today.

You can find information about assisting with stress and anxiety in previous posts at these links. 

http://www.ourfutureleaders.ca/blog/stress-how-to-cope/

http://www.ourfutureleaders.ca/blog/anxiety-a-growing-challenge/

 

What are your experiences with and thoughts about assisting our youth to cope with the challenges offered by the pandemic?

Please share your ideas on how we can work with our youth in this regard.

This will enable them to gain the communication and leadership skills to make them successful in this changing world.

If you require more information, please contact us.

LEARN MORE:

Are you are interested in learning more about online youth group sessions?

If so, contact us to obtain a report on a simple and easy system on how to set up group coaching programs for youth. You can do this in the ‘Contact us‘ section of the website.

Please contact us to enter the discussion, REQUEST A FREE COPY OF THE GROUP COACHING PLAYBOOK or JOIN THE REGULAR COACHES FORUM. 

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Wishing you lots of love and laughter, as always.

Fred Jones

Victoria, BC Canada

Fred Jones