I learn many things on the social media platform TikTok. I came across a video on my "For You" page a few weeks ago. The TikTok was made by a teacher studying educational psychology. It discussed Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development and how it relates to the actions of Generation Z.
Lawrence Kohlberg was an American psychologist who wondered how moral opinions changed as humans developed. He theorized that moral reasoning changed as people aged and he created a moral development model with six stages. The TikToker applied Kohlberg's model to Generation Z. Generation Z (this term excludes "Boomers 2.0") will run away from an insect if they see one. However, Generation Z will also body-slam a racist person without question. Generation Z will be unable to order a meal in a restaurant but will remove a statue of Christopher Columbus. According to the TikToker, Generation Z is in or near Stage Six of Kohlberg's model. Simply Psychology describes Stage Six as the following:
People at this stage have developed their own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law. The principles apply to everyone. [Examples are] human rights, justice, and equality. The person will be prepared to act to defend these principles even if it means going against the rest of society in the process and having to pay the consequences of disapproval and or imprisonment.
The actions of Generation Z are comparable to Stage Six. Like their predecessors, Generation Z was brought into a world that needed help. There was—and still is—racism, sexism, hate, poverty, and war. However, unlike their predecessors, they were born with a technological device in their hands. Advanced technology has allowed Generation Z to access information in ways that their predecessors could not. Generation Z consumed revolution-based content such as The Hunger Games, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Maze Runner, and Divergent. Combining those factors with self-deprecating humor, mental illness, and little will to live produces Generation Z. These factors caused Generation Z to morally develop faster than their predecessors. Generation Z values human life over societal laws.
I find all this very interesting. I am a proud member of Generation Z. Many criticize this generation, saying that we are "snowflakes." However, I do not believe that is the case. Those people are only angry that they cannot get away with racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, etc. I do not completely believe that Generation Z has reached Stage Six, but I do believe that this Generation has developed differently than our predecessors. What are your thoughts? Will this generation change the world?
Hey Chia! This generation will definitely have a big impact on the world. Starting this year, millions of Gen Z kids will be able to vote and make the best decision for everyone. We are the ones who point out the wrong in society along with people around us. Gen Z will take part in a whole new world full of opportunities to take over and eventually help people who are struggling. Although some of us can't call to make our own appointment at the doctor's office, we will bring change to the world for the better.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I mostly agree with your statement. Generation Z does not let anything get in our way, and we fight for what is right. Past generations have continuously followed the societal standards in just obeying the older ages, but Generation Z has differed in that we are actively advocating for what is right. I believe this generation will change the world. We have so much passion for sticking up for what is right and finding ways to fix issues. Our prime value is sticking up for human rights, and we try our best to get that message across. Even the older generations have acknowledged how Generation Z has changed the principles.
ReplyDeleteHowever, differing from your position, I believe Generation Z has fully reached Stage Six of Kohlberg's model. We have created our, "own set of moral guidelines which may or may not fit the law", which are as simple as wanting equality for everyone. Generation Z will do anything for equality, no matter the consequences. Take the unfair death of Breonna Taylor, Generation Z has been mainly present and advocating at the protests. Over 10,000 people in the US have been arrested for protesting the death of Breonna Taylor. Although it is not said how many were specifically in Generation Z, you could imagine there would be a lot. But overall, Generation Z is changing the world.
I don't completely agree with the statement of Gen Z being the great generation it is promised to be. a main reason being that though we have unlike any other generation consumed so much different forms of media that have taught us to follow a specific set of morals, this does not mean we will turn out like any other. To this I bring the argument of what millennials were suppose to be. During the time where that specific generation was growing up they consumed the type of media as read in "Amusing Ourselves to Death" they were the promised generation to solve all the worlds problems, that they could be anything they dreamed of and still nothing big has happened. You could say and talk about the BLM movement, but as quick as something grows it will crumble to the ground. It's just a sad irony of history. Not to mention this post is referring to the American Gen Z audience. What about middle eastern Gen Z kids, Slavic, Latin American. All of Gen Z is different and will cause many things to come. As for the American Gen Z we will body slam a racist, but is that truly right to use violence against someone because they believe in something they inherently see as correct that we see as evil. This type of behavior only shows regression into the past and represents how Gen Z is more focused on emotion than reason if they're willing to cause harm rather than to talk. To say we are changing the world would mean that Gen Z in the U.S. is changing the U.S. is true, but the world would fall unto the other kids which I'm sure none of us know the culture of. Gen Z as well has yet to prove itself in the coming years, since we still are fairly recent so to say were making change is an overstatement. Not to mention we are yet to prove ourselves in the battlefield, according to the idea that we are revolutionaries which would mean there will be spilled blood over something. It's the truth of man, there will always be war and to say just because we are more "enlightened" doesn't mean we always going to agree.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we are yet to see Gen Z face off against anything really big other than economic downturn which will come soon, but if there is a war domestic or foreign, then I will retract my statement.