Gareth Parker-Jones, the headmaster of Rugby, one of Britain’s oldest private schools, recently shared his concerns about the work habits of Gen Z employees, attributing their struggles to overprotective upbringing and an aversion to risks.
According to Parker-Jones, these young adults have been conditioned to avoid challenges, resulting in a lack of resilience in the workplace.
His remarks focus on the current “culture of safetyism,” which he believes discourages adventurousness and the willingness to seize opportunities, both crucial for professional growth.
The Impact of Safetyism and Anxiety
Parker-Jones claims that the heightened levels of anxiety in Gen Z employees, who are between the ages of 18 and 24, stem from exaggerated fears of real-world dangers.
Meanwhile, the internet’s risks, which are often downplayed, contribute to their mental health struggles.
Studies have shown that a third of Gen Z has experienced mental health issues like anxiety or depression, compared to only a quarter of the same age group in the year 2000.
In his article for British Education Magazine, Parker-Jones reflected on a conversation he had with 15 CEOs from various industries.
The CEOs collectively expressed frustration with Gen Z’s work habits, blaming the education system for not producing more resilient workers.
Parker-Jones noted that while the conversation had its lighter moments, the serious discussions highlighted the ongoing challenge of preparing young people for the realities of the workforce.
The Role of Technology and Parenting
The conversation also linked to the work of Jonathan Haidt, particularly his book The Anxious Generation, which explores how unregulated access to smartphones is negatively affecting today’s youth.
Parker-Jones emphasized that the effect of “safetyism”—the overprotection of children from perceived dangers—has not been as widely discussed, though it is equally significant.
He argues that children today have been raised in an environment where dangers in the real world are blown out of proportion, while the risks of the online world are largely ignored.
Recent reports support this argument. The Generation Isolation Report, which surveyed 5,000 young people across England, revealed that many 11 to 18-year-olds experience anxiety when separated from their phones.
Smartphone usage is now the dominant activity for young people outside of school, contributing to feelings of loneliness and anxiety.
In fact, the report found that half of those surveyed feel high levels of anxiety and spend most of their free time online.
According to Ofcom’s Online Nation report, Gen Z spends more time online than any other age group, with individuals aged 18 to 24 spending an average of over six hours per day on the internet, significantly more than those aged 25 to 34.
Boarding Schools: A Potential Solution?
Parker-Jones, who took over as headmaster of Rugby in 2020, advocates for the benefits of boarding schools in helping to alleviate some of these issues.
He believes that an environment like Rugby, where students are encouraged to work through conflicts and live together in a community, fosters resilience and vital life skills.
Rugby’s approach, he argues, helps students break free from the stereotypical traits of Gen Z and prepares them for life beyond school.
However, the steep cost of attending such prestigious schools, with fees now exceeding £18,000 per term (including newly introduced VAT), raises concerns about accessibility.
This issue has become even more pressing with the government’s decision to apply a 20% VAT rate on private school fees.
The Labour government is currently facing a legal challenge from the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents over half of the UK’s private schools.
The ISC is pushing for a judicial review of the policy, which could raise an additional £460 million in funding for state schools.
The Future of Education and Work
As these debates continue, it’s clear that the conversation about Gen Z’s work habits and mental health is far from over.
Whether through reforms in education or changes in how society views technology and parenting, finding solutions to these challenges will be key to preparing future generations for the demands of the modern workplace.
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