1.Reason：
1.1.The Gen Z community is in China, the first to embrace the internet from a young age. Unlike their parents who received the Internet when they were older, they receive information in a more fragmented and visualized manner.This creates a generational divide that is difficult to overcome.
Generation Z sees social media as an important part of the meaning of life …… The physical and digital worlds are not two separate entities, but a tightly integrated multidimensional space Intergenerational divide between Internet natives and Internet immigrants …… The intergenerational The information asymmetry and media literacy gap are the concrete manifestations of the intergenerational digital divide triggered by the rapid upgrading of ICTs——Z世代，这样一群人-新民周刊
The intergenerational divide between Internet natives and Internet immigrants …… The information asymmetry and media literacy gap between generations is a concrete manifestation of the intergenerational digital divide triggered by the rapid upgrading of ICTs——其他分支_社会学视野网《Z世代-时代与社会多重规定性的建构》
1.2.Influenced by post-materialist values, Generation Z emphasizes individual freedom and pluralistic identity, while their fathers place more emphasis on traditional family ethics and collective responsibility. This information comes from social media platforms such as Tiktok and Xiaohongshu, and the large number of people showing off their wealth and the prestige gained by powerful people becoming Internet celebrities have made the Generation Z crowd rush or fall into long-term anxiety. The mismatch between information from the Internet or the outside world and information from the family creates an information check, which makes them suspicious of and distrustful of the traditional family, and creates a concept of ‘family can’t help me’, which leads to the loss or disconnection of family identity.
Grandparents emphasize more on traditional ethical views in educating their children, while fathers focus more on democratic type of education, leading to a conflict between the goals and methods of education.——中国城市隔代教育家庭关系的现象研究——基于X社区的个案分析
1.3The marginalization of the role of grandparents in family education, the reduction of parental contact with family members due to work pressures and the transfer of childcare responsibilities to grandparents have led to a clash of philosophies in intergenerational education. At the same time, the disconnection of grandparents from contemporary society and the inability of young people to get in touch with other members of the family have led to a growing perception that the family is unreliable.
Grandparents live dependent on their children and their educational voice is weakened …… paternal parents ‘do nothing’ and grandparents become enforcers rather than decision makers, triggering family conflicts——中国城市隔代教育家庭关系的现象研究——基于X社区的个案分析
2.Concrete performance：
2.1.Generation z groups are more inclined to communicate online and form family-like structures in the online community. This means that they still long for family in their hearts, but are unable to express it and get practical help.
Generation Z has been dubbed the ‘Lonely Generation’, with the innate nature of being an only child and the vertical information interactions of the Internet deepening their sense of isolation——Z世代，这样一群人-新民周刊
2.2.Because of generational differences and the increased pressure of social competition, the Generation Z population is choosing to live their lives alone, choosing to avoid integrating into families and starting families.
3.Evil influence：
3.1.Intergenerational conflict leads to reduced family cohesion, which may affect the mental health and social adjustment of Generation Z.
Reduced Parent-Child Emotional Communication and Lack of Intimacy in Intergenerational Education Families …… Marginalization of Grandparent Roles Exacerbates Family Conflict.——中国城市隔代教育家庭关系的现象研究——基于X社区的个案分析
3.2.The weakening of traditional family ethics and intergenerational bonds may weaken the family’s function as a carrier of culture.
The ‘holy and mortal one’ bioethic fades and the family ceases to be a central source of individual meaning …… Intergenerational value ruptures threaten cultural continuity.——其他分支_社会学视野网《Z世代-时代与社会多重规定性的建构》
4.Possible solutions：
4.1.As “digital natives”, Generation Z is good at virtual socialization, but generally faces real social alienation and loneliness. Research has found that the emotional experience of the virtual world is a poor substitute for the deep support of real family connections. Therefore, participation in family interactions through digital media, such as virtual genealogy and online memorial space, or family activities that incorporate the interests of Generation Z (e.g., national fashion handicrafts and e-sports socialization) can enhance their sense of participation in the family.
They spend kryptonite in virtual games and gain recognition through ‘social currency’, but in reality still crave the emotional belonging of family.——基于Z世代自我理论的消费行为研究_《现代商业》杂志社
4.2.Generation Z’s passion for Chinese culture reflects their need for cultural identity, and the family as a carrier of traditional culture can provide a sense of meaning.
4.3.Significant events in family history (e.g., migration, war) are used as anchor points to stimulate emotional resonance. because of their relatively smoother and more mentally stressful lives. The real stress brought by this suffering narrative is something they have not experienced but wish to see.
Generation Z is more interested in ‘family migration history’ than their parents, as it provides a framework for the dialog between individual lives and the larger history.——社会热点议题_社会学视野网 中国“Z世代”青年群体观察
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