Life Skills Lapse: College Steps in to Teach Gen Z the Basics
Colleges Introduce 'Adulting 101' Courses to Instill Essential Life Skills Among Gen Z Students
It's no secret that Gen Z'ers have a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to life skills. From employers grumbling about their lack of readiness for the workforce to educators wringing their hands over the rigors of high school, Gen Z find themselves on the receiving end of criticism constantly. But what's frequently overlooked is the simple fact that most skills aren't acquired naturally; they have to be taught, and that's where the knowledge gap comes in.
Now, universities are stepping up to the plate to address this gap. Undergraduate programs at schools like Michigan State University, the University of California, Riverside, and Ontario's University of Waterloo, among others, have started to offer Adulting 101 courses to help Gen Z navigate the complexities of adult life[1].
The comprehensive curriculum of "Adulting 101"
From financial literacy[3] to learning how to do laundry, the courses' curriculums are surprisingly extensive. Back in the '90s and early '00s, I was astounded by the number of students who had no idea how to operate a washing machine or . It seemed like a socioeconomic divide, but it appears times have changed-the skills gap seems to be much more prevalent among Gen Z.
Courses touch upon a variety of topics[1], including budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and career preparedness. Some even cover more practical skills like how to change a tire or understand lease agreements. Michigan State University, for example, places a strong emphasis on teaching students about managing their finances and career readiness[1].
Parental Over-Involvement: The Root Cause
Jean Twenge, a renowned psychologist, attributes the reason for this knowledge gap to one significant factor: helicopter parenting[1]. Over-involved parents who handle tasks and decisions for their children prevent them from gaining hands-on experience with life skills. Gen Z, as a result, often enters college or the workforce without the ability to manage daily tasks independently[1].
Economic and longevity factors also contribute to the situation, with people living at home for extended periods and enjoying longer lifespans, thus delaying the learning process[5]. However, according to Twenge, the main culprit is simply that "kids are growing up less independent"[2].
Mental Health Implications
In addition to its impact on practical life skills, helicopter parenting has also been linked to soaring rates of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety among Gen Z[1]. To address this, the University of Waterloo's director of student success, Pam Charbonneau, noted that many Gen Z students express a sense of relief when they discover these "Adulting 101" programs, especially since they've never learned basic self-advocacy skills and didn't even realize they needed help[1].
Experts encourage parents to empower their children by assigning age-appropriate chores, such as cooking, laundry, and basic household repairs, to help them learn essential life skills and develop a sense of independence and pride in their abilities[4].
In a world where Gen Z'ers want to be "real adults" but feel they're not in control of their lives, "Adulting 101" courses offer a practical solution to help bridge the skills gap, prepare young adults for independent living, and instill the confidence they deserve.
Sources:
- Mishra, P. (n.d.). The University Course Helping Gen Z Learn to Be More Independent. [online] Accessed 21 Apr 2023. Available at: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/02/21/universities-begin-teaching-students-how-live-adult-life#:~:text=%22Adulting%20101%22%20courses,-Michigan%20State%20University%20is,important%20life%20skills%20to%20students.
- Staff, W. (n.d.). Gen Z feels unprepared for adult life – and universities are trying to help them learn basic skills. [online] Accessed 21 Apr 2023. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/college-life-skills-gen-z-students-unprepared-universities/.
- Kashid, C., & Minkin, K. (2019, October 29). These Universities Are Teaching Basic Life Skills, Like Budgeting and Cooking, to Kids. [online] Accessed 21 Apr 2023. Available at: https://www.biaw.org/basic-life-skills-college-courses-develop-real-adults-gen-z-graduates/.
- Staff, S. (n.d.). Do College Students Really Need an “Adulting” Course? [online] Accessed 21 Apr 2023. Available at: https://collegefinanceblog.com/college-students-need-adulting-course/.
- Albert, L. (n.d.). What Does “Adulting” Mean? Gen Zers and the Struggle for Financial Independence. [online] Accessed 21 Apr 2023. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/24/what-does-adulting-mean-for-gen-zers-struggling-to-achieve-independence.html.
- The curriculum of "Adulting 101" courses covers various aspects of life skills, including financial literacy, cooking, cleaning, career preparedness, and even practical skills like changing a tire or understanding lease agreements.
- Jean Twenge, a psychologist, suggests that helicopter parenting, where parents handle tasks and decisions for their children, has led to Gen Z's lack of independence and inability to manage daily tasks.
- High rates of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety among Gen Z have been linked to over-involved parenting. To tackle this issue, experts recommend assigning age-appropriate chores to children, fostering independence and self-advocacy.
