We love our parents, we really do. But sometimes it feels like we’re living on different planets. One is Earth. The other is… somewhere between 1975 and “Because I said so.” And no, it’s not just rebellion or hormones. It’s a genuine plea for understanding.
It’s not that our parents don’t care. In fact, they care a lot. But between different generations, values, and expectations, something keeps getting lost in translation.
So here’s what many young people, especially Gen Z, wish their parents knew (but probably won’t say out loud at the dinner table).
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Mental health is not just “a phase”
We’re not being dramatic. We’re not just “tired” or “overthinking.” Anxiety, depression, burnout, these things are real. They’re not western diseases or proof that someone “isn’t praying enough.”
Many of us are navigating a world that’s moving too fast, with pressures our parents never had: social media, an unstable job market, climate anxiety, and yes, the expectation to be perfect at everything by 25.
So when we say we’re struggling, we don’t need lectures or comparisons about how hard life was in your day. We need compassion. A “How can I support you?” goes much further than “You’ll be fine.”
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Our career paths might look weird—but they’re valid
Not everyone wants to be a lawyer, doctor, or engineer. And some of us are lawyers or doctors, but also content creators, podcasters, or running small businesses online. That doesn’t mean we’re confused or unserious.
The truth is, the job market has changed. We’re trying to survive in a world of layoffs, automation, and side hustles. We’re doing what we can to make a living and find purpose. So please, stop asking when we’ll get “a real job.” We already have one, you just may not understand it yet.
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Respect is not obedience
We get it—“Respect your elders” is a big deal in many African homes. But here’s the thing: respect is not the same as silence. Or fear. Or pretending to agree to keep peace.
Young people want relationships with their parents that are based on mutual understanding—not just authority. If we question something, it’s not rebellion. It’s curiosity. It’s growth. It’s a need to be heard.
Listen first. Respond second. It’s the easiest way to keep communication open, even when we disagree.
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Relationships have changed—so has dating
Forget what it was like when people wrote love letters or waited for landline calls. Today, dating is a whole different game. Between dating apps, ghosting, situationships, and the occasional “Do you even like me?” text, it’s a lot.
We want to talk about love, heartbreak, consent, boundaries, and identity without being judged or shut down. We want advice that doesn’t start with “In our time…” because, respectfully, our time is very different.
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We’re not ungrateful—we’re overwhelmed
Yes, you worked hard to raise us. Yes, we have electricity, WiFi, and three meals. But survival is not the same as thriving. And sometimes, we’re not okay, even when everything looks okay.
This generation is constantly online. Constantly hustling. Constantly exposed to bad news. It’s exhausting. We’re not ungrateful, just tired.
What we really want is a little grace and space. And less pressure to always be performing or achieving.
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We still need you—just not in the same way
We know it can be hard watching your child grow up and become independent. But needing space doesn’t mean we don’t need you. We still want your presence, just not your control.
Sometimes we just want to sit with you and talk about nothing. Or ask you for your favorite recipes. Or hear that you’re proud of us. We may not say it every day, but your voice still matters.
In the end…
No generation has it all figured out. Parents and kids are always going to have some tension. But that tension doesn’t have to become a wall.
This list isn’t a complaint. It’s conversation starter. A reminder that the kids you raised are trying their best in a world that looks nothing like the one you grew up in.
So let’s meet in the middle. With love, and patience.
