Generational perspectives: Commentary by Randy Huang

Not having children is very demure. Very mindful. As Gen Z slowly enters adulthood, we have carefully decided whether or not to have children. Our parents dream about being grandparents, but their lives with cable TV are very different from our multiple streaming services. I believe that our generations are way different, so buying a home, getting a job, or just living should be considered in our shoes. In our digital age, we must worry about the dangers of the internet and the rapidly changing job market revolving around artificial intelligence. To have children at this age is challenging; and we would have to pave our own path.
My generation, predominantly rural areas like the Illinois Valley, had opted for trade school instead of an expensive university. The reason is not because we do not have the drive for higher education, but the cost. It has dramatically risen from a couple years ago, when it was accessible to everyone. It was the main pathway for many, and it dramatically became a luxury. Careers in the past were able to provide for your life, however, the job market has become so competitive that it seems a college degree is necessary to live. I even consider going to trade school due to being affordable and I can earn money right after high school.
Today, it has become too expensive to live, and having a child would cost even more. I heard stories of unfortunate circumstances, where a dual income is required for the young parent. In the past, many mothers were able to care for their children. However, both parents now must pay for childcare and save up just enough to survive. Our generation refers to a stay-at-home wife, a trad wife (traditional wife), and many are not seeking a trad wife.
Those who want to be a trad wife would most likely have to work and many household expectations would be put upon them. The old-fashioned ways would not suffice in this world. There is a current trend, “Very demure, very mindful,” poking fun at keeping up with women’s beauty standards. At first, it seems to keep their makeup nice and clean, but it has a deeper meaning in society. Breaking traditional gender roles is cool, but being forced to survive is a different story.
This election is essential since the majority of Gen Z can vote, and many care about the economy. Many young women voters care about reproductive rights, and there are more young Republican men. However, we all are mostly socially progressive and fiscally conservative. It does not take one or two parties to know Gen Z’s lives will get harder.
While there are many reasons for this crisis, having children would not be on our minds. The future looks bleak, knowing that social security would most likely not save us from poverty when Gen Z begins to retire, or that many women in the U.S. lose their reproductive rights.
However, Gen Z will thug (preserve) through hardship and pain in the next few years. At least we will not have to attend other children’s birthday parties and have awkward small talks with other parents.