I’m observing that some Gen Z kids in middle and high school, plus the new Gen Alphas currently leaving elementary school, are already cynical.
“Cynicism is the great mask of the disappointed and betrayed heart.” - bell hooks, All About Love
Cynicism is a defense mechanism of people who have repeatedly been failed, lied to, and given broken promises. We adults have done all this and more to kids before they’ve even left high school, and they’ve rightfully developed doubt that we will ever create the change we encourage them to fight for.
UC Berkley calls Gen Z “fatalistic” - a perhaps nicer synonym of cynical. According to studies, Gen Z sees government as incapable of solving the tremendous problems facing us. Further, a poll by CIRCLE and Protect Democracy reveals,
Among Gen Z, there is a widespread lack of confidence in how democracy is actually functioning today. Many feel that the system is not meeting their needs or expectations, leading to disengagement, frustration, or even a willingness to explore extreme measures to address their concerns.
GenZ Protesting at 5
I remember my daughter at another protest a few years later saying “All these people are here! They [Congress] have to listen to us now!” She’s learned over and over how untrue that is.
I’ve seen this generation encouraged into advocacy at younger and younger ages. As early as 1st grade, we’ve told them that their advocacy is necessary to fix the problems we’ve failed to fix - climate change, gun violence in their schools and communities, climbing suicide rates and mental health crises.
But even with their voices rising in record numbers in the last two decades, we’ve made little or no progress in the existential issues facing them. We’ve patted their heads, told them they’re articulate and impressive, and turned our backs on their pleas.
They see this and have learned distrust. Have learned cynicism. And I can’t blame them. I can only dedicate my time to convincing the adults in power that listening to youth - partnering with them to find solutions - is the only way forward and the only way to heal their betrayed and broken hearts.