To avoid being 'green' by their children, parents avoid 'brain-teasing' conversations

Parents tend to be less likely to talk to their Gen Z kids about difficult topics, even when they think they're important.

According to The Wrap, Gen Z's perspective has changed a lot over time and thanks to the influence of social networks, specifically TikTok - Photo: EYC

Conversations with parents are an important part of growing up, whether it's about friendships, grades, mental health, or relationships.

But a new Gallup survey finds that while at least 80% of Gen Z say these conversations are helpful, their parents shy away from the discussion.

The Conversation Gap Between Parents and Gen Z

The US survey was based on responses from 1,675 couples, including children aged 10 to 18, and one of their parents. The results showed that most parents are worried about their children. 80% of parents said they were worried about at least one aspect of their child's life.

Top concerns include the future (42% of parents), mental health (40%), school experience (40%) and personal safety (40%).

On average, single parents were more anxious than full parents (44% vs. 32%). Black or Hispanic parents were more anxious than average (41% and 40% vs. 32%).

Parents also said they were comfortable talking about their children’s grades (78%), safety (76%), substance use (75%), and friendships (73%). However, that number dropped by about 20% when it came to social media and emotions.

Sometimes parents may not want to discuss difficult topics, even when they feel they are important. 74% of parents are concerned about their child’s social media use and find it easy to talk about, while 44% of parents are concerned but find the topic difficult to discuss.

Additionally, 53% of parents worry about how their children express their emotions. However, they find it difficult to speak up and often wait until the last minute to express their thoughts.

Parents "not confident" when talking to children about money

In late November 2024, a new study also revealed that many parents are avoiding talking about money with their children, fearing they will give bad advice. The survey found that up to 85% of parents are concerned that they may be passing on poor financial knowledge to their children, leading them to avoid discussions about money altogether.

The survey, conducted on 2,000 parents with children aged 10-20, found that a large number of parents are not confident about their financial skills.

Most parents say they are unsure about how to invest, budget, and manage credit, so they feel inadequate in explaining these concepts to their children.

Looking back on their own experiences, 76% of parents wish they had learned more about finances as children. As a result, more than half of parents want to give their children the best possible start financially.

However, 41% of parents still avoid talking about past financial mistakes, and 66% think financial education should be taught in school rather than at home.

According to financial expert Tayo Oguntonade, young people often look to their parents as the authority figures. While parents often want to protect their children from their own financial mistakes, avoiding these discussions can ultimately do more harm than good.

“Discussing money early will equip children with practical skills and a sound understanding of finance, setting them up for a brighter financial future,” he advises.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tranh-bi-con-xanh-la-phu-huynh-ne-tro-chuyen-can-nao-20241205222132458.htm