Gen Z is initiating a psychological transformation by openly discussing the traumas they experienced in childhood and questioning traditional parenting norms. A survey conducted by the EduBirdie platform among 2,000 young people aged 21-29 in the US revealed this generation's emphasis on mental health and their critical approach to family dynamics.
According to the research, more than half of the participants stated they were subjected to verbal or physical abuse in their childhood. One in four young people holds their parents responsible for the psychological or physical problems they experience today. However, the vast majority of young people also expressed love and gratitude toward their parents.
Positive Legacy and Communication Barriers
The survey showed that 40% of young people believe they owe traits like discipline and ambition to their parents, 36% credit them for the values that guide their lives, and 31% for the ability to cope with difficulties. However, a significant disconnect in family communication was also identified. A substantial portion of young people admitted to hiding their mental distress, financial problems, or emotional relationships from their parents to avoid conflict.
The survey emphasized that the gap between the traditional success models parents envision for their children—such as becoming a doctor, businessperson, having three children and a luxury home—and the different dreams of Gen Z is a constant source of tension.
Role Model Paradox and the Next Generation
A striking paradox revealed by the survey is this: While about one-third of participants see one of their parents as a role model in their lives, nearly two-thirds said they want to follow a different approach when raising their own children. This reflects young people's desire not to repeat the mistakes they experienced in childhood.
Gen Z is discussing parenting mistakes and childhood traumas with unprecedented openness not only in therapy sessions but also on social media platforms. Licensed social worker Jessica Ann Pressler, speaking to the New York Post, said that acknowledging the source of pain does not mean dwelling on the past, but rather is a starting point for understanding the psychological wound. Pressler said, 'Blame helps identify the psychological crisis, but it does not heal on its own. Healing begins when a person realizes that what they experienced as a child was not their fault.'
Scientific Findings and the Importance of Self-Compassion
A systematic review published in the journal Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy in 2020, examining 35 studies, revealed a strong link between self-compassion and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Researchers found that PTSD symptoms decreased in individuals with high levels of self-compassion, while fear of self-compassion could worsen symptoms.
Psychologist Pam Manfredo Curtis emphasized that the healing process should not be limited to acknowledging the harm, and that understanding the circumstances and motivations that influenced parents' behavior is also important. According to Curtis, grasping the parents' past does not justify abuse, but it helps break the psychological cycles transmitted from generation to generation.
A Generation Prioritizing Mental Health
Another survey conducted by the Thriving Center of Psychology in 2023, covering more than a thousand Gen Z and Millennial individuals, highlighted the importance young people place on mental health. While 93% of participants stated they wanted to improve their mental health in 2024, 39% planned to start therapy, and one in five said they were already in therapy.
Of those in therapy, 83% said they openly share this with their circle, and 90% believe more people should seek psychological support when needed. These data show that Gen Z views mental health as an integral part of overall health, and this understanding explains their tendency to seek healing rather than silently accepting childhood experiences.
