Children who grew up in Generation X were largely left to fend for themselves while their parents worked, earning them the nickname the latchkey generation. That independence produced a set of everyday skills that many members of Generation Z never had the chance to develop, according to Your Tango.
Here are seven practical abilities Gen X picked up before age 10 that Gen Z has largely missed out on.
Doing household chores
Gen X children were expected to complete assigned duties around the house before doing anything fun. Developmental pediatrician Rebecca Scharf found through her research that children who do household chores are more likely to develop a sense of their own capability and a stronger belief that they can accomplish things in the future. Gen Z, by contrast, grew up in households where that expectation was less consistent, which left some struggling with basic tasks when they moved out on their own.
Using a landline phone
Landlines were already disappearing during Gen Z’s childhood, but Gen X learned more from them than just how to dial a number. Because the whole family shared one line and caller ID did not exist, children had to take messages for others and politely ask to speak to whoever they were calling. Those small interactions helped build communication skills.
Cooking simple meals
Gen X kids were not always preparing full family dinners, but they could find their way around a kitchen because parents regularly left them to manage on their own. Gen Z children who had no interest in cooking were generally not pushed to learn, and as adults many rely on food delivery services or prepared meals as a result.
Finding information at the library
Before the internet, Gen X used physical books and card catalogs to research school projects. Gen Z faces a significant literacy crisis that is often attributed to dependence on technology, and the disappearance of those traditional research habits may be a contributing factor.
Getting around independently
It was ordinary for Gen X children to walk to a friend’s house or a nearby shop without adult supervision. Gen Z children frequently needed parental permission even to cross the street. Parents today are more protective partly because constant exposure to news and alarming headlines creates the impression that the world is more dangerous, though the source notes that children are not actually at greater risk than before.
Caring for younger siblings
Because Gen X children were raised to contribute to family life, helping look after younger brothers and sisters was a normal part of growing up. Gen Z, raised by more protective parents who were less likely to assign those responsibilities, grew up far less confident around young children and with a weaker sense of that kind of accountability.
Keeping track of their own money
Gen X grew up handling cash and managing their own small budgets. Gen Z is far less familiar with physical money and tends to rely on cashless payment methods. Experts recommend giving children an allowance of between 50 cents and one dollar per year of age, but most parents say they actually give their children around 37 dollars a week. That figure is a significant departure from what Gen X children would have been accustomed to, and it shapes what Gen Z understands about money and how much they expect to have.
