3 Social Factors That Will Shape Generation Alpha

We know all about the Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z...

So who comes next?

Believe it or not, they have an official name already.

Enter...Generation Alpha.

The Alpha generation begins with the end of Gen Z, and it extends for about fifteen years, as generational labels do. This means the oldest Alphas are in elementary school, with the youngest still to come. For many Millennials, these are our children.

So...who are we raising? What kind of a world are we bringing them into?

Are we even ready for this?

Although we can't say for certain - after all, these kids have yet to hit puberty - we can make some predictions based on the data we do have.

1. This generation will be the most thoroughly educated yet. 

If trends continue - and there is every indication that they will - Generation Alpha will attend college and graduate school in record numbers. Overall, this is a good thing. An educated society means more significant advances in medicine, humanitarianism, and environmental sustainability - all fields that will have growing significance to future generations.

However, what is good for society as a whole does not always benefit the individual. We are already seeing the downsides to this trend. Increasingly, students are taking on excessive debt to finance an education in already saturated job markets such as psychology, law, and academia. Meanwhile, well paid jobs in the skilled trades lie vacant. 

Controversial Opinion: A savvy parent might encourage their Generation Alpha child to opt for welding over Women's Studies. 

2. Fewer children than ever before will be raised in a home with both biological parents.

As social norms and stigmas change, so does the typical family unit. Single parents and blended families are no longer an anomaly. While there is plenty of research on the developmental benefits of two parent households, I would like to offer a different take.

When most of those studies were conducted, a home with two biological parents was considered the gold standard. Any alternative was seen as a last resort. These homes happened mostly in cases of tragedy, abuse, or abandonment. They also carried a significant social stigma.

As the typical family changes, this is no longer the case. Non-traditional family units are increasingly healthy and stable. Divorced parents are attending counseling to co-parent in a symbiotic way. Happily blended families are earning more representation in the media. Education and support are becoming more common. The social stigma is fading.

Most importantly, as parents are more easily able to leave toxic relationships, fewer children may be exposed to the associated trauma. For many kids this will lead to a more positive outcome than if they had been raised by both biological parents. Instead of dysfunction, they will witness courage, resilience, and independence.

3. These children are absolutely saturated in technology.

Like most parents, I try to minimize my children's exposure to technology. Even so, it seems like they spend hours a day interfacing with screens. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by Coronavirus. This year, some kids experienced their entire academic education through their computer. 

As many studies - and common sense - have told us, this can be trouble. More screen time means shorter attention spans, weakened social skills and emotional literacy, and a greater risk of obesity. As these children enter the social media world, these effects will worsen. Teens immersed in social media have lower self-esteem and a higher risk of bullying. They also risk exposure to content that may not be age-appropriate or morally sound.

However, it isn't all bad. Technological literacy, in our world, is somewhat of a necessary evil. Children who grow up with the internet are more adept at sorting reputably sourced information from skewed statistics and outright lies. They are also more prepared to use technology for good. A child who can research well, compile data reliably, and use that data to create something new can change the world.

When all is said and done, we can only examine the factors shaping this generation. We can't yet predict their response. As parents, our job is to prepare them for the changing world they are learning to navigate. Let's arm them with knowledge, empathy, resilience, and a strong sense of community and self.

After all, a child who knows who they are and where they come from can't lose in any environment.