Gen Z overprotected and fragile: what if we let them grow up?

Are we protecting Gen Z too much?

There’s a growing narrative that today’s youth are struggling—grappling with anxiety, avoiding risks, and working to embrace independence. Some attribute this to a lack of resilience, while others point to a deficiency in responsibility. But what if the root of the problem isn’t Generation Z (those born between 1995 and 2009), but instead how they were raised?

Instead of blaming this generation, perhaps the real question is: Have we, as parents and educators, overprotected them to the point of fragility? In our well-meaning efforts to shield them from discomfort and clear obstacles from their path, have we unintentionally hindered their development into resilient, capable adults?

The paradox of protection: when help hurts

In Bad Therapy: Why The Kids Aren’t Growing Up, Abigail Shrier argues that modern parenting and therapy culture may inadvertently weaken today’s youth. By constantly shielding children from discomfort and hardship, we risk depriving them of the opportunity to build resilience.

The rise of “helicopter parenting” and “snowplow parenting” exemplifies this trend: parents who hover and intervene at the first sign of struggle or remove obstacles entirely. While this approach comes from a place of love, research shows that excessive protection can hinder children’s coping with life’s challenges.

A 2021 study on overprotective parenting found that children raised in such environments often struggle with self-regulation and social adaptation, experience higher anxiety levels, and have difficulty making independent decisions (Salmin et al., 2021). Similarly, a multi-country European study found that overprotective parenting was consistently linked to increased anxiety disorders in adolescents, regardless of cultural background (Heider et al., 2008). A Belgian study by Flamant et al. (2022) also revealed that how teens cope with overprotection—primarily through compulsive compliance—can further harm their psychosocial development (Flamant et al., 2022).

Challenges as a growth opportunity

Shrier emphasizes that challenges are essential for childhood development. Rather than shielding children from every difficulty, allowing them to face obstacles builds autonomy and maturity.

An overprotective society risks raising a generation ill-equipped for adult challenges. The increasing number of university students seeking mental health support for everyday difficulties highlights the impact of limited exposure to adversity. A 2023 study on resilience by Navickienė and Kupčikienė found that children who encounter challenges without constant intervention develop stronger coping skills and more emotional stability. In essence, resilience comes from experience—not avoidance.

European researchers (Maribeth et al., 2024) have described Gen Z as the “Strawberry Generation”—visibly bright but easily bruised—due to parenting styles that oscillate between overprotection, excessive praise, and permissiveness (Maribeth et al., 2024). These patterns often lead to emotional fragility and difficulty coping with real-world stressors.

The unintended consequence: unprepared for the real world

In the past, adversity was considered a natural part of growing up—stumbling, learning, and persevering. Today, however, there’s a trend of removing competition from schools, softening playgrounds, and framing failure as something to avoid rather than learn from. While these changes stem from positive intentions, they may inadvertently undermine young people’s ability to face life’s challenges.

Finland’s education system offers a thought-provoking contrast. By prioritizing independence and problem-solving, it fosters resilience and self-motivation. In comparison, environments where children are micromanaged and shielded from failure leave them less prepared for real-world obstacles.

A 2021 cross-European study (Kutlák) found that despite parental tendencies toward overprotection, Gen Z is paradoxically becoming more self-reliant earlier than Millennials—especially in housing and financial matters (Kutlák, 2021). This tension between parental caution and generational autonomy suggests that resilience may still emerge—if we allow space for it.

The path forward: raising stronger kids

How can we better prepare Gen Z? It’s crucial to differentiate between protection and preparation. Shielding children from every difficulty leaves them unprepared for real-life challenges. Instead, we must teach them how to navigate obstacles.

Abigail Shrier and numerous studies suggest that parents and educators can foster resilience by:

• Encouraging age-appropriate independence: Allowing children to make decisions and experience the consequences.
• Allowing small failures: Building problem-solving skills and self-confidence through manageable setbacks.
• Preventing overmedicalization: Supporting kids in navigating everyday challenges without over-relying on therapy.
• Promoting grit and perseverance: Teaching children to push through challenges rather than avoid them.

Ultimately, children don’t need a life free of obstacles—they need guidance on overcoming them. The most valuable gift we can offer the next generation is not the absence of hardship but the strength and courage to face it.