The Snowflake Generation
The Industrial Revolution had the same impact on society two hundred years ago as the internet has had
on society today. It was transformational. Unlike the internet, however, the Industrial Revolution was
backboned in many ways by child labour. Poorer children often worked in full time jobs in order to support
their families. Children then did not really experience a childhood in the traditional sense and were not
treated very well at all. They were disposable commodities. Children as young as six worked long hours
for little pay. The places children worked included down in mines, ship building yards, construction sites
and inside chimneys. This practice continued until the introduction of child labour laws during the late
1800’s.
Fast forward two centuries and instead of child slaves we have child “snowflakes” – The Snowflake
Generation. A snowflake is a term used to describe a child or young person who appears to be more
prone to taking offence and less resilient to the challenges presented to them by life than previous
generations or being too emotionally vulnerable to cope with views which challenge their own. One
example of recent times was when clown masks were banned in certain places for being too scary for
children. At Halloween!!
In two centuries the way children are parented has moved from one extreme to the other. And as physics
dictates, the best and optimum point is at the balance between two extreme points. What children require
is a balance between being allowed to experience a happy, fulfilling childhood and the expectation that
as they grow older they can and should be expected to make an increasing contribution to their home
and family. Being a child at home is not dissimilar to being a pupil in school. Each year that passes brings
with it greater challenges and responsibilities. The parent who does not challenge their children, have
increased expectations and promote their role within the family over time would be akin to a sixth class
teacher continuing to give second class homework.
One of the most difficult challenges we must face as parents is when we acknowledge are children are
growing up. Our job is to nurture this growth and not prevent it as some parents try to do.
Don’t worry though. Our children will still need us, just not as much.