Kids In Motion - Are They On The Right Path?

I am a father of two kids – a daughter, a member of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012), and a son who belongs to Gen Alpha (born after 2012). While our family values have been moderate and somewhat conservative, we have always strived to inculcate a habit of thoughtfulness in both of our kids.

Last week, our nine-year-old son came to us with an unusual update:

“I have got hair around my Nunnu!” he announced while getting ready for school.

That one sentence paused time for me. It took me straight back to the early 90s when I experienced the same change. Had I ever reported this to my parents? Most likely not. Back then, such updates were kept quietly to ourselves.

“You are growing up, my boy,” I told him. “Grown-ups have hair all over their bodies – their armpits, moustaches, butts, and legs.” I tried to explain in a way that would keep him comfortable and confident.

That moment meant a lot to me. He wasn't shy or hesitant—he felt safe sharing this personal development with me. And as a father, I see it as my duty to ensure he always finds comfort, guidance, and trust in our conversations. I was relieved he hadn’t turned to someone else in his classroom for an answer. Parental trust and open communication are key. When parents become overly authoritative, unsupportive, or dismissive, kids start looking for answers outside, slowly eroding the trust at home.

The question was too innocent however, this incident also made me realize that Gen Alpha is very vocal. They aren’t shy about expressing themselves; they are curious and want immediate answers.

On the other hand, I see stark differences with Gen Z. My daughter, like many in her generation (aged between 13 and 28), tends to be more individualistic and strong-headed. They might appear to listen, but when it comes to decisions, they want to carve their own paths—often ignoring shared experiences or advice.

One of my colleagues shared his own encounter with his Gen Z kid on an upcoming Friendship Day.

“My kid, who’s in 7th grade, asked me for two thousand rupees to celebrate Friendship Day,” he said.

"What are you gonna do with that much of money?", he asked the kid.

"I will treat my girlfriend", proclaimed the little kid.

When the father refused, the child didn’t speak to him for two days. This is a problem with many modern day teenagers. In another case, a young man in his twenties felt completely comfortable drinking liquor with his father—a clear sign of shifting boundaries and attitudes in this generation. I do not see the young man at fault here - it's probably how he was brought up by his father who had kept giving justifications for his drinking habit at home.

Children are deeply influenced by their surroundings—especially by how their parents behave and lead their lives. In many modern households, both parents are working long hours to build a better lifestyle and contribute to a broader social good. But true elevation of lifestyle isn’t about purchasing more comforts. It’s about nurturing relationships and emotional health at home.

We often forget that while we’re busy shaping the world outside, our children may be silently struggling with loneliness, unstable relationships, confusions and a search for genuine happiness. All they need is proper guidance and support—every single day. Let’s not forget: education begins at home.