BEYOND UNIZIK SAGA: NAVIGATING GEN-Z UPBRINGING IN A CHANGING WORLD
The recent incident at Unizik, where a student was expelled after a confrontation with a lecturer, has sparked national debate about student conduct and the challenges of raising Gen-Z. This incident highlights the tightrope walk facing parents, educators, and young people: balancing independence and self-expression with respect and responsibility.
Gen-Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are digital natives, immersed in technology and social media. While diverse and independent, they face unprecedented pressures.
Parenting this generation requires a delicate balance: fostering independence with guidance, setting boundaries while encouraging self-expression, and instilling values amidst shifting norms.
The digital age presents significant challenges. Social media, while offering connection and creativity, can breed cyberbullying, misinformation, addiction, and antisocial behaviors.
The Unizik incident, stemming from a video recording, highlights the complexities of navigating social media in public space and the potential for rapid escalation.
Reports indicate the incident involved a lecturer attempting to pass a female student recording a video. A verbal exchange led to a demand to delete the video, escalating into a physical confrontation.
While the university deemed the student’s actions “gross misconduct,” the incident raises questions about communication, conflict resolution, and evolving student-faculty dynamics. Understanding the context, without excusing the behavior, is vital.
Balanced parenting is crucial. Setting boundaries, which evolve with maturity, is essential. Parents must empower Gen-Z to make choices, providing support while allowing for learning from mistakes. More so, instilling values is equally important. Open communication, ethical conversations, and modeling respect are vital. But what happens if parents on their own lack the required values to inculcate?
The incident underscores the need for mutual respect between students and faculty. The case is a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for clear communication, conflict resolution, and shared understanding of appropriate behavior. It prompts reflection on whether students are equipped to manage conflict, whether faculty are prepared for the digital age, and whether universities foster respectful environments.
Parents, educators, and communities must collaborate to support Gen-Z. This includes open dialogue, mental health resources, and fostering a culture of respect. Balanced parenting empowers Gen-Z with the skills, values, and resilience they need. The future of Gen-Z depends on it. It requires a collective effort to guide and support this generation.
For deeper discus on this subject and your contribution, join us live on Unizik 94.1FM on Monday 17th February @4pm in a program RELIGIOUS VOYAGE WITH UCHE MICHAEL.
Facebook live @ Unizik 94.1Fm (Blazing the trail) or @ Uche Michael. For contributions during the programme, call 0810 098 2946
Guest Speaker: Prof. Harry Obi-Nwosu
Director, Centre for Counselling and Career Development, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Uche Michael Chibueze
Unizik FM Correspondent, Social/Moral/Religious Crusader
Promoting Social/Moral Values and Religious Interdenominational Discourses
07031292136
