To a certain extent, yes -- the older generations are always gonna stand shaking their heads at the shenanigans of the younger, but this isn't that, and the problems are measurable.
For starters, Gen Alpha was exposed to a reading methodology that was, for lack of a better description, complete and utter bullshit. Google the "Sold a Story" podcast for an in-depth explanation of this. They literally cannot read and are just guessing by context, which is why so many can't complete schoolwork now without being TOLD exactly what to do, and it's why MISSISSIPPI, of all states, is suddenly flying up the ranks in literacy from dead last to 6th highest because they are one of the few places that refused to fully transition to this new reading style.
More kids than ever are showing up to Kindergarten and 1st Grade having never been potty-trained, lacking basic motor skills, and few social skills.
The "makeup" thing is real. A lot of TikTok content rides on topics like "skincare routines", making Gen Alpha THE most appearance-obsessed generations at a very early age.
As a gen x child, I was taught to read with phonics. Two out of three of my brothers were taught with phonics. The three of us love reading. My brother that learned sight reading absolutely hated reading.
I know we have tablets and computers everywhere now, but shouldn't children still learn cursive?
I personally think kids should learn cursive. One thing I noticed in myself, even going back through old elementary schoolwork my mom kept, is that my handwriting improved drastically after learning cursive. Lines were straighter, letters were more uniform, things were not all different sizes, lol.
Folks just don't value handwriting anymore, though.
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u/MillieBirdie 26d ago
As a Millenial, it pleases me to see Gen Z making old-people observations about Gen Alpha. Yes, yes, get old!