Latest news with #GenZParenting
The National
07-07-2025
- General
- The National
Raising children the Gen Z way: Young UAE parents reimagine modern motherhood
Asma Almenhali, 26, has many thoughts on screentime, which she describes as one of the most 'judged' aspects of parenting. Ultimately, it's inevitable, the Emirati mother of two daughters says. 'We're raising kids in a digital world, screens are everywhere. I think it's unrealistic to say you'll completely avoid screentime altogether.' These beliefs were reinforced when Almenhali saw her daughter, who is now three, learn to consciously clap while watching a video by Ms Rachel, the American YouTuber beloved by children, parents and educational experts alike. Almenhali is a Gen Z mother and part of a generation of parents – born between 1995 and 2012 – who are entering the child-rearing stage with radically different tools, values and expectations than their predecessors. Almenhali believes Gen Z parents are 'more aware and intentional', in that they don't just follow what their parents or grandparents did blindly. 'Instead, we do our own research, question traditions when needed and make decisions with more confidence and a stronger voice.' Gen Z parents are much more aware and intentional - we don't just follow what our parents or grandparents did blindly Asma Almenhali This perspective is echoed across households in the UAE, where a growing number of young adults are raising children amid digital saturation, shifting cultural norms and rising economic pressure. While global Gen Z parenting trends emphasise emotional awareness, informed decision-making and the widespread use of social platforms for advice, these elements are playing out in uniquely local ways in the Emirates. Breaking generational cycles For Pakistani mother Faryal Zehra, 24, parenting is about not falling prey to a pattern. 'As a Gen Z parent, I think I am more intentional about breaking generational cycles,' she says. 'I try to ensure this by prioritising emotional intelligence and gentle parenting. I also rely heavily on research and digital communities to guide decisions – from sleep routines to developmental milestones – rather than just doing things the 'traditional' way.' This intentionality is a defining trait. A 2024 Ipsos report found that Gen Z parents in the US are intent on raising their children differently than previous generations, often placing greater emphasis on emotional awareness and mental health. Many turn to TikTok, Reddit and parenting podcasts for real-time advice and peer-driven support. In the UAE, where there is about 99 per cent internet penetration, this equals a highly networked form of parenting. 'We're constantly learning from each other in real time and adapting based on what we find,' says Zehra. 'Personally, I've used TikTok for everything from meal planning ideas to looking up explanations for medical symptoms before deciding if a doctor's visit is needed.' Parenting in isolation Digital platforms often offer parents a lifeline in terms of connection. Despite this, for some Gen Z parents in the UAE, such as Singaporean communications professional Nikki Fajardo, 26, a single mother of a 10-year-old daughter, the journey can be an isolating one 'One thing I always tell my daughter is this is my first time being a parent as well, so we're learning together as we go through it," says Fajardo. 'It's about giving each other grace. I might lose my cool and she might not be able to express how she feels about a situation, but I know: 'Oh, you're giving me attitude for some reason.'' Rather than echoing their own upbringing, Gen Z parents are often seeking to invert it. 'Coming from an Asian household, physical discipline was a huge thing,' says Fajardo. 'Soft parenting – I think that's a thing with millennials – I don't think that works either. I believe in putting your foot down and being firm. But that doesn't mean a slap, spank or pinch.' Her take reflects a broader growing sentiment among parents of most generations that authority does not equal aggression, and children deserve empathy and explanation. What is often referred to as 'gentle parenting'. For Zehra, that means saying 'I love you' often and apologising when she makes mistakes. 'I think showing humility and owning my mistakes is important, because it teaches my child that respect goes both ways and that it's OK to be human,' she says. Screentime and nutrition are hot topics Screentime is an issue that's front and centre for all the parents we spoke to. And this goes both ways. While Fajardo is very intentional about limiting her daughter's usage, she's also wary of her own, as getting lost down parenting rabbit holes online often just leaves her feeling guilty. 'Mum guilt is so real,' she says. 'We read forums, get lost in threads of Reddit and TikTok and Instagram.' This constant striving can lead to exhaustion and comparison. 'Our coping mechanism is dark in such times. It's like, what's another thing to worry about now?' Fajardo has spent the last year weaning her daughter off digital devices. 'I used to let her have TV time and iPad time willy-nilly. Now everything is on lock, including access to YouTube. I like to filter what she sees and what she learns.' Almenhali is also being very deliberate about her children's device usage. 'I'm the one in charge of the screen, not the other way around,' she says. 'Before introducing any kind of screentime, I do my research. I watch the videos myself to check for overstimulation. If a video feels overwhelming to me as an adult, how can I expect a baby or toddler to respond well?' Zehra has a similar approach, prioritising connection over control. 'I don't see it as something inherently negative, but I do make sure it's age-appropriate and balanced with other types of play, especially outdoors or hands-on activities,' she explains. 'One thing I do is allow screentime specifically on Fridays – not just as a treat, but as a way to help my child associate Friday with joy and blessing, in line with how it's observed in Islam.' For Almenhali, nutrition has also been a learning curve. 'I took a course with a Lebanese Dubai-based nutritionist. I keep notes and regularly search TikTok for healthy recipes.' Specifically, she says Solid Starts – a weaning resource by a team of paediatric feeding experts – has been very useful. Zehra says she tries not to be overly strict when it comes to eating habits, but has made an effort to expose her son to a variety of nutritious foods early on. 'I believe in modelling healthy eating rather than forcing it,' she adds. 'I also try to avoid using food as a reward or punishment – I want my child to develop a healthy relationship with food long-term.' Unique regional differences While economic pressure is another common theme worldwide, this is playing out differently in the UAE. Deloitte's 2024 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey reports that the cost of living is among the top societal concern for these demographics, one of the reasons younger people are putting off having children until they're older and more financially secure. Yet, locally, many Gen Z-ers are seemingly embracing family life earlier than global averages, says Almenhali. 'As an Emirati national, I've noticed that Gen Z here are more willing to take the leap of faith and start a family,' she says. 'Compared to millennials, who might be further along in their careers and overthink this step, Gen Z seem more courageous and open to the idea of parenting earlier.' But there's a difference in how many children they choose to have. 'Compared to previous generations, we're clearly having fewer children,' adds Almenhali. 'While older generations often focused more on quantity, Gen Z is leaning more towards quality, giving more time, energy and resources to fewer kids.' Ultimately, like any other generation, Gen Z parents are doing things their way, but one theme seems to unite them all: intention. Whether it's delaying screentime, filtering media, meal prepping or leaning into parenting as a shared learning experience, they are writing their own rules – in real-time, together. They really have no other choice, Almenhali concludes. 'We're parenting in the age of social media, TikTok, parenting podcasts, and so on. If you search for one topic related to motherhood, the algorithm suddenly starts throwing tips, advice and expert opinions your way. It's everywhere. 'Because of that, Gen Z parents almost have no other choice but to be active, aware and intentional. We understand the weight of this responsibility, and with all the knowledge at our fingertips, we're doing our best to use it.'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clues into Gen Z parenting styles can be found in their approach to these two powerful elements
The Silent Generation thought that kids should be 'seen and not heard.' Boomers were focused on getting kids to college. Gen X—perhaps wanting to not replicate their own latch-key childhoods—had a tendency to helicopter parent their little ones, while millennials are largely drawn to 'gentle parenting.' But what about Gen Z's parenting style? Yep, that's right: Many of the oldest members of Gen Z, who range from 13 to 28 years old, are already parents, with women between 20 and 24 accounting for 26.3% of all U.S. births in 2023 (the most recent data available). So what's their parenting style all about? The jury is largely out, as their kids are still little—and not able to share experiences with researchers to allow for a full picture. And there's not much in the way of other data. 'My instinct is that there will be a lot of elements of how they were parented,' Corey Seemiller, generational researcher, leadership educator, and coauthor of Generation Z: A Century in the Making, tells Fortune about what to expect from Gen Z parents, adding that some of her research found that 69% of Gen Zers called a parent their No. 1 role model. There are also not many Gen Z celebrity parents to look to yet, save for Naomi Osaka, Hailey Bieber, Sofia Richie, and Kylie Jenner—though one Gen Z couple, known simply as Matt and Abby, have become popular influencers with their 5.2 TikTok followers thanks to their seemingly honest posts about raising two little kids. 'Letting go of your selfishness and your freedom at a very young age…I don't think we realize how selfish we are as human beings until we have children,' Jenner has said about first becoming a mom at 19. 'But, you know, that is also the biggest pro.' Between the few young celeb parents speaking out, Gen Zers sharing about their kids on social media, and scant amounts of research, here's what's starting to become clear about the newest generation of parents. Gen Z is the first generation of digital natives—with one survey finding that more than half aspire to be influencers. Still, a 2024 survey found that Gen Z parents are rejecting the type of perfectly curated content that first put 'momfluencers' on the map. And while they are avid posters of content, many chafe at the idea of their own kids getting on social media. 'Social media serves as a really complex place, especially for a parent,' 25-year-old TikToker Alyssa "Ice," mom to kids 4 and 16 months, tells Fortune. 'While being an amazing space to seek support from other parents, get answers to unknown questions, as well as be inspired, it is also very easy to fall into a rabbit hole of comparison and judgment.' And when it comes to her own kids going online? 'I personally want to keep my children away from the internet until they are old enough to comprehend the dangers of it as well as the benefits,' she says—echoing Jenner, who has said, for her kids, 'It's no socials for as long as possible.' Content creator Kayli Jones, 21, who entered parenthood as a teen mom, shares a lot on Instagram about raising her two kids, 1 and 3, with her husband and former high school boyfriend. And after a childhood of 'unrestricted access to the internet,' she says—getting her first phone at 8, social media in fifth grade, and accruing over 400,000 followers on the video platform Likee by seventh grade—she is vigilant about not allowing the same for her kids. 'I prioritize internet safety for my children by not posting their faces online,' she says, while also limiting their screen time. 'We do not allow our kids to have iPads or any internet access at the moment,' says Jones. 'As far as when we will allow them to have socials, that depends on how far the internet progresses when they get to that age. Right now we plan to allow them to get their own social media when they are in high school.' Still, observes Seemiller, not all Gen Z parents will think alike when it comes to this issue. 'For some of them, they were on [social media] a lot, and it was really helpful in making connections. They may want to see their children have that same experience,' she says. 'Some of them have had very negative experiences on social media where they were bullied, harassed. There's a fear of judgment. There's people not liking their comments and pictures.' As a result, many young parents may indeed have strict rules about keeping kids off socials. 'So, I think you're going to run into less of a monolith than we think when it comes to that,' Seemiller says, 'depending on their own personal experience in that space.' By the time she was 23, tennis great Osaka was a mental health advocate and role model on the world stage. Four years later, in January 2025, she had her daughter Shai, and it's hard to believe she won't parent through the lens of all she's learned. 'This is a generation that really broke the stigma of mental health,' says Seemiller. 'They often will say what they need. They will assert their autonomy and want to get resources, whether that's in schools or the workplace… I can't possibly imagine they would not want to parent their kids by also reducing any kind of shame around that.' Perhaps it's why, found a 2021 Vice survey, 'Gen Z parents are more attune to trusting their own instincts when it comes to the actions they take that influence their children's growth and development. Ultimately, they do what they think is best based on what feels right for their own children's individual circumstances, even if that conflicts with advice from their family or doctor.' For Jones, that means apologizing to her kids when she's wrong, 'even though I'm the mother,' she says, and even though it's 'something that is a bizarre concept to my parents' generation.' She also does 'daily affirmations' with her little ones, and says, 'I will always make sure that they know they can talk to me about anything without getting in trouble or feeling ashamed or embarrassed.' Alyssa, meanwhile, uses her awareness of mental health to base her entire parenting philosophy on 'unlearning a lot of the traumas that I experienced in my youth,' she says, and believes that having such an awareness is a 'huge advantage' as a parent. 'We are better equipped to support our kids and get them the resources that they may need at any point in their life,' she says. 'Not only that, but taking care of our own mental health and really valuing it allows us to be better parents.' More on parenting: How do parents raise all their kids to be successful? New book by Yale professor, 'The Family Dynamic,' uncovers clues The 4 basic parenting styles—and what science says about which is best Modern parenting is hurting kids and adults, 'Anxious Generation' author warns This story was originally featured on
