The Problem With Millennial Parents

Millennials are the new generation of current parents, ranging from the age of 28-43. Recently there have been some questions regarding the parenting style of millennial parents—specifically the parents of kids in Gen Alpha, who are under the age of 13. Recently there have been some conversations around Waukee High School and on social media questioning Millennial parenting style. 

Over on TikTok and Instagram, there’s been a new flood of Gen Alpha influencers, and the parents seem to encourage the influencer lifestyle for their young kids. These young kids go on TikTok and Instagram and share their extensive skincare routine. Most of their skincare products have products like retinol, which is harmful to use at such a young age because it may break the natural skin barrier and microbiomes of the skin. All of these millennial parents seem to be okay with their children using these harmful products, even going on social media to showcase their children’s extensive skincare. While doing that they are exposing their kids to a wide variety of people and potentially compromising their privacy like their address or whereabouts

Younger millennial parents with babies are dealing with an epidemic of “beige house syndrome.” As children continue to grow up they need to be exposed to colors. Around social media Millennial parents have been seen taking their kids’ toys and spray painting them to fit the rest of the house’s aesthetic. Alex DeMoca, a child development specialist, said, “Studies have directly linked color with brain development.” Because these parents turn everything beige, they are harming their children’s brain development. Most millennial parents seem not to care about the harm they’re doing to their kids. Another problem we see on social media is kids wanting to be more grown now with the influence of social media. Most kids get unrestricted access to social media. Although most kids through generations try to act grown with small children using social media, it raises questions about who’s seeing it. The problem with kids on social media is that kids attract predators even social media moms who constantly show their kids on camera get unwanted attention from predators.

As members of the elder Gen Z, WHS students have mixed opinions about Gen Alpha and the Millennial parent’s parenting style. Junior Matthew Morse dismissed the Gen Alpha antics. “Every generation acted that dumb when they were 7,” he said. In addition, junior Raleigh Freschi said, “I live with one, I think they’re fine. But any stereotype you have about “preppy gen alpha girls” is probably true.”

Overall people seem to be concerned about how these new parenting styles will affect these younger generations and what harm will they cause.