If our current generation is the loneliest, what can we do?

By Kim Roberts
NOLA Catholic Parenting

I recently attended the first meeting of the year of the parent co-op board for my youngest daughter’s school. I expected to hear all about the exciting things the administration had planned for my girl’s senior year, and I did.    

But, in addition to this, I heard something that took me by surprise. Our school president told us about a Catholic education conference she had attended where she learned that this generation of students is the loneliest generation of kids in history. 

This news made me one of the saddest moms in history.

She went on to explain to us the reasons why this generation has been labeled as “lonely.” She cited factors such as social media being in our kid’s faces 24/7 and constantly taking them away from their daily lives; Covid-19 isolating so many students for such an extended time despite everyone’s best efforts; and society and media telling them they should be something other than who they are and to question everything, as major contributors to this loneliness.

Studies have shown there is a growing concern that young adults today are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, social isolation and disconnection.

In addition to how we as parents raise our children, there is also a cultural upbringing of sorts that influences our children with a set of values that is different from what we teach at home.

These kids are bombarded with messages that can be deemed at times as shallow, self-serving and downright confusing.

Maybe parents, educators and trusted adults should try to understand and appreciate this generation’s experience in today’s toxic culture and try to foster growth and conversion. We could do this without being dismissive and judgmental.

Their school experience has been different in so many ways than mine, my husband’s and even my older two children’s. Sure, we all had stress and pressure, but we didn’t have to deal with lockdowns, deadly diseases, virtual school and canceling of so many rites-of-passage events.

Our school president let us know that she realizes that the girls are carrying a lot of emotional baggage right now. With this in mind, the school  has put some new protocols in place to make sure students feel like the school is a home away from home and that it is a safe place – a place free from judgment and ridicule.

I liked that she emphasized that students should always feel seen, heard and valued and that the school would be actively checking to see that these benchmarks are in place and that the girls needs – academically, spiritually and psychologically – are being met while on campus.

While my daughter is a senior this year, I know that my job as a parent is far from over. She will need guidance and prayers this school year and beyond. And, I am so glad her high school is looking out for her and her classmates’ total well-being.

Kim Roberts resides in River Ridge with her husband and teen-age daughter. She also has two adult children and is active at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish and its Home and School Association. She has been president of the Council of Catholic School Cooperative Clubs, is currently on the Dominican High Parents’ Club board and works with the Notre Dame Seminary Gala Committee and the Keep Christ in Christmas Committee.  She has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Louisiana Tech University as well as a master of arts degree. She is a freelance writer and works at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Parish as the parish coordinator.