Why Do Young People Seem So Fragile? - Dr Jean Twenge

Dr Jean Twenge is a psychologist, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, generational researcher and an author. Each generation tends to view themselves as more refined than the one before them. But with Boomers, Millennials and Gen Z, something changed. Generations started to see life as easier in the past, less prosperous now and tougher to succeed. Jean has spent a career working out just why modern groups believe this, and how true it is. Expect to learn whether millennials actually did have it harder than boomers, which generation has the most robust mental health and why, the massive effect of technology across age groups, why 60% of Gen Z girls have mental health problems, why young people aren't getting their drivers' licenses, why there is such a big decline in sexual activity and alcohol and much more... Sponsors: Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first box at https://www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom (automatically applied at checkout) Get 20% discount on House Of Macadamias’ nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D and more from Athletic Greens at https://athleticgreens.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Generations - https://amzn.to/40BByHr Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:09 Is Gen-Z Particularly Unique? 07:18 Why Are So Many Young Girls Considering Suicide? 16:47 The Main Causes of the Mental Health Crisis 20:57 Overcoming Inherited Trauma 24:28 Managing the Rise of Addictive Technology 29:02 Why Gen-Z Take Less Risks 35:04 Young People’s Perspectives on Life 39:00 Why Women Are Having Less Kids 45:16 Millennials Feel Worse Off Financially 49:09 The Change in Education & Employment of Young People 1:03:24 How Political Stances Have Changed in Youth 1:15:35 Is There Hope for Gen-Z? 1:18:50 Where to Find Dr Twenge #millennials #boomers #genz - 00:00 Intro 02:09 Is Gen-Z Particularly Unique? 07:18 Why Are So Many Young Girls Considering Suicide? 16:47 The Main Causes of the Mental Health Crisis 20:57 Overcoming Inherited Trauma 24:28 Managing the Rise of Addictive Technology 29:02 Why Gen-Z Take Less Risks 35:04 Young People’s Perspectives on Life 39:00 Why Women Are Having Less Kids 45:16 Millennials Feel Worse Off Financially 49:09 The Change in Education & Employment of Young People 1:03:24 How Political Stances Have Changed in Youth 1:15:35 Is There Hope for Gen-Z? 1:18:50 Where to Find Dr Twenge - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Dr Jean TwengeguestChris Williamsonhost

May 4, 20231h 19mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: May 4, 2023
Duration: 1h 19m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr Jean Twenge is a psychologist, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University, generational researcher and an author. Each generation tends to view themselves as more refined than the one before them. But with Boomers, Millennials and Gen Z, something changed. Generations started to see life as easier in the past, less prosperous now and tougher to succeed. Jean has spent a career working out just why modern groups believe this, and how true it is. Expect to learn whether millennials actually did have it harder than boomers, which generation has the most robust mental health and why, the massive effect of technology across age groups, why 60% of Gen Z girls have mental health problems, why young people aren't getting their drivers' licenses, why there is such a big decline in sexual activity and alcohol and much more... Sponsors: Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours with your first box at https://www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom (automatically applied at checkout) Get 20% discount on House Of Macadamias’ nuts at https://houseofmacadamias.com/modernwisdom (use code MW20) Get 5 Free Travel Packs, Free Liquid Vitamin D and more from Athletic Greens at https://athleticgreens.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy Generations - https://amzn.to/40BByHr Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:09 Is Gen-Z Particularly Unique? 07:18 Why Are So Many Young Girls Considering Suicide? 16:47 The Main Causes of the Mental Health Crisis 20:57 Overcoming Inherited Trauma 24:28 Managing the Rise of Addictive Technology 29:02 Why Gen-Z Take Less Risks 35:04 Young People’s Perspectives on Life 39:00 Why Women Are Having Less Kids 45:16 Millennials Feel Worse Off Financially 49:09 The Change in Education & Employment of Young People 1:03:24 How Political Stances Have Changed in Youth 1:15:35 Is There Hope for Gen-Z? 1:18:50 Where to Find Dr Twenge #millennials #boomers #genz - 00:00 Intro 02:09 Is Gen-Z Particularly Unique? 07:18 Why Are So Many Young Girls Considering Suicide? 16:47 The Main Causes of the Mental Health Crisis 20:57 Overcoming Inherited Trauma 24:28 Managing the Rise of Addictive Technology 29:02 Why Gen-Z Take Less Risks 35:04 Young People’s Perspectives on Life 39:00 Why Women Are Having Less Kids 45:16 Millennials Feel Worse Off Financially 49:09 The Change in Education & Employment of Young People 1:03:24 How Political Stances Have Changed in Youth 1:15:35 Is There Hope for Gen-Z? 1:18:50 Where to Find Dr Twenge - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Dr Jean Twenge
guest
Chris Williamson
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Dr Jean Twenge and Chris Williamson, Why Do Young People Seem So Fragile? - Dr Jean Twenge explores social Media, Safety Culture, and Why Gen Z Feels So Broken Dr. Jean Twenge discusses her cross-generational research on mental health, values, and behavior, arguing that Gen Z represents a sharp break from previous generations. She links the post-2011 spike in teen depression, self-harm, and loneliness primarily to smartphones and social media, plus their ripple effects on sleep, in‑person socializing, and life priorities. The conversation explores how technology, rising individualism, and a “slow life strategy” have reshaped adulthood, work, sex, family formation, and politics. Twenge warns about growing cynicism and negativity among young people but emphasizes that environmental changes—especially around tech use—are still within our control.

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