Poonam Sharma
When sociologists, media outlets, and popular culture named Generation Z (Gen Z), it was not so much a continuation of an alphabetical series after Millennials (Gen Y). It was a recognition of a change in way of thinking, way of living, and way of values among people born around the mid-1990s to early 2010s. In contrast to previous generations, which were characterized by wars, economic hardship, or political upheavals, Gen Z has spent most of their lives in an environment where survival was less of an issue but comfort, velocity, and ready availability were. This distinction, seemingly subtle at first glance, had a profound impact on how this generation perceives adversity, failure, and resilience.
Why the Label “Gen Z”?
Labeling generations is nothing new. Douglas Coupland’s Generation X (1991) made cultural shorthand conventionally accepted by academics and the media that group behavior could be described. Then there were Millennials, followed by Gen Z. Labels serve researchers and advertisers to lump general social trends together, but besides being convenient, labels tap into real cultural change.
To Gen Z, this designation means something beyond a mere age group. It is a generation defined by technology, globalization, and a culture of relative material wealth compared to their ancestors.
The Problem: Ease Without Endurance
Previous generations were shaped through adversity—either through wars, economic downturns, or the process of creating nations from the ground up. There was not an emphasis on being rewarded immediately but rather enduring the long run. Parents who worked hard to bring security to their homes wished their children to reap the rewards of those efforts. In so doing, numerous Gen Z children matured in less exposure to adversity.
The consequence? Large numbers in Gen Z grew up with a culture of instant gratification:
Food at the touch of an app.
Entertainment streaming at will.
Social approval through instant “likes” and “follows.”
Education systems that increasingly eschewed tough competition to safeguard self-esteem.
Though these conveniences are miracles of modern progress, they’ve also eliminated the natural “waiting periods” and minor struggles that instill resilience.
Why Failure Feels Unbearable
Inadequate exposure to adversity has left too many Gen Z s unprepared to deal with failure. In schools and homes, the focus defaulted to protecting children from disappointment. Defeat in athletics became “everyone’s a winner.” Failing grades were mitigated by leniency in grading. Parents, intent on comforting, too often intervened to resolve difficulties that children should have been permitted to endure.
So when this generation enters the real world—where rejection, competition, and setbacks are unavoidable—many experience frustration, withdrawal, or even depression. Failure, rather than being a stepping stone to growth, is perceived as a personal disaster.
The Psychological Strain
The psychological toll is evident:
Increased rates of anxiety and depression among young people globally.
Inability to handle rejection in either professional or personal life.
Escapism in virtual worlds—gaming, social media scrolling, or virtual connection—rather than confronting real-world challenges.
Restlessness in careers and relationships, with rapid job-changing or “quiet quitting” once difficulties arise.
This is not to downplay the real stresses Gen Z is experiencing—climate stress, economic uncertainty, and social comparison via social media are all real. But what makes those stresses more difficult to endure is the absence of grounding resilience training in the early years.
The Parenting Role
The problem lies not with Gen Z themselves, but in the way they were brought up. Good-hearted parents tended to equate love with the elimination of impediments. True love, however, means educating children for the life that is, not for the life we would like it to be.
For example:
Rater than providing children with all toys at once, parents might educate patience by having them wait.
Rather than fixing each school or peer dispute, parents might advise children to solve it independently.
Rather than protecting from failure, parents might make failure normal by discussing their own stories of adversity.
Constructing Coping Mechanisms: What Must Shift
The issue is not permanent. Instead, small adjustments to upbringing, education, and culture can restore resilience to Gen Z (and the ones that come after it).
Normalize Struggle
Introduce small challenges intentionally—household chores, saving pocket money for desired items, or delayed rewards. Struggle should not be seen as cruelty but as training.
Teach the Value of Failure
Schools and families should stop glorifying only success. Failure stories of inventors, leaders, and entrepreneurs must be highlighted so that children see setbacks as part of the journey.
Promote Patience
In a culture of instant gratification, slowing down deliberately—such as waiting for food to be prepared or saving up for a coveted device—develops stamina.
Restructure Education
Education systems must foster problem-solving, hard work, and resilience rather than grade inflation or excessive protective policies.
Emotional Literacy
Teach children how to manage and convey feelings. When frustration is validated instead of being shut down, it is easier to cope.
Balanced Use of Technology
Digital life should not completely replace real-world experiences. Outdoor activities, teamwork, and real conversations provide grounding that screens cannot.
Conclusion
The labeling of “Gen Z” might appear to be mere linguistic convenience, but it is indicative of a greater truth: this generation is particularly well-endowed with resources but particularly exposed in relation to coping mechanisms. The problem is not that Gen Z is less strong, but that the world that they inhabit has stripped away the little, everyday challenges that give strength.
For societies to flourish, we need to reintroduce resilience training into upbringings—not through imposed adversity but through deliberate life lessons on patience, failure, and perseverance. Then only will Gen Z and generations to come know that failure is not an end point but a point of growth.
