on June 10, 2025
Young people today often get a bad rap. We’re told that they’re lazy and unmotivated, they have no desire to work, and they all want to be social media stars. While that might be true of some of this generation, I know that’s not the case for the vast majority of the young adults in Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Not only have I been doing some reading about the younger generations’ struggles, I happen to have two kids that fall into the Gen Z category. What I’ve found is that young adults are often misunderstood and deserve to be empowered.
How can we empower today’s young adults?
Though there’s not a single, easy answer to this question, I have found that many opportunities exist to uplift and support the young people in our lives. Though some of these actions may seem small, they have the power to compound over time. When it comes to empowerment, you have to start somewhere! Here are five ideas:
Take Their Interests Seriously
If your kid wants to pursue a certain career or education path, it’s a good idea to talk with them openly and honestly about it. Even if it’s not the path you would have chosen, you can still engage in an adult conversation about the pros and cons of their interests. Keep in mind, a traditional college education isn’t for everyone! Some young people are better suited for the trades, or nursing school, or something else entirely. The world is made up of all types (and we are better off for it!).
Teach Saving/Investing Early
Whether your young person is working at home for a weekly allowance or engaged in a summer job, it’s a good idea to teach them the basics of saving, and maybe even investing. If they are open to it, help them set up an automatic transfer into their savings account each month or after each paycheck comes in. This will help develop a rhythm that could help them for the rest of their lives.
Give Them a Glimpse of Adulthood
It’s amazing to me how often young adults are ill-prepared for the “real world.” Many have never had exposure to how a household runs—the regular tasks, the bills, the maintenance it takes to keep things together. To help boost your young person’s financial literacy, it’s a good idea to give them an understanding of “how the sausage is made.” You could start the conversation with a few simple questions: “If you were to have your own house tomorrow, would you know which bills to pay? Would you know which tasks are necessary? Do you know how a mortgage works?” Then ask if they would like to learn about any topic in particular. You might be amazed by what they’ll want to learn!
Teach Budgeting Basics
It is useful to understand budgeting no matter your age. Budgeting helps develop an understanding of where the money goes every month, and what we can potentially do to keep more of it. If your kid often asks for money, that may be a great excuse to discuss budgeting. Put together a spreadsheet of your monthly expenses (if you haven’t already) and ask your young person to look it over with you. Are there any areas you, as a family, could cut or reduce to help free up some funds for “fun stuff”? Could you cut one of your streaming services? How about a subscription? Could your kid step up and do some yard work so you don’t have to pay someone else to do it? Could you all help to cook dinner instead of paying more for a meal kit or going out to eat? Giving your young person some control over their finances is a great way to empower them.
Encourage Involvement
No matter your young adult’s interests, there is likely an opportunity to channel those interests into something productive, social, or empowering. Whether that means enrolling in a volunteer program, taking classes to build a certain skill (photography, painting, wood working, etc.), or joining a social group, it’s healthy to be part of something—to take an active role in building your interests or being part of a community. Encourage your kid to take a leap and get involved.
Most young people are just like any of us—they want knowledge and fulfillment in their lives. Teaching them a few useful life skills, respecting their interests, and supporting their participation in meaningful activities are all great ways to uplift and empower them on their journey to adulthood.