Raising Children in 2035: Ten Challenges for the Next Generation
I’m sitting by the window at the end of another summer, watching the golden light stretch across the lawn. Every year, as the summer winds down, many of us feel refreshed, able to take a step back and evaluate our lives. We’ve had time to recharge from the months of feeling depleted, of running on fumes before the break.
As I soak in this calm moment, I feel immense gratitude for the life I’ve been given, for the good fortune my family enjoys. But I’m also filled with concern —questions about the future my kids will face. They will soon be adults, stepping into a world so different from the one I grew up in. A world full of uncertainty, rapid change, and challenges we’re only beginning to grasp. By 2035, they’ll be navigating a landscape where the old rules no longer apply. I’m excited for them. But I’m also worried.
How do I prepare them for a future that feels so unpredictable?
Here are ten areas that weigh on my mind the most:
1. Keeping Calm Amid Constant Change
The global population has surged from about 3.7 billion in the 1970s to over 8 billion today.
Meanwhile, aging populations are creating new challenges for healthcare systems and labor markets. The spread of the internet and mobile technology has revolutionized how we communicate, consume, work, and live. The dominance of Western influence is fading, and a multipolar world order is emerging, with China and India reshaping global power structures. My kids will need to be prepared for a future where adapting to unpredictable climate events, economic shifts, and technological disruptions will be part of their daily lives. It’s not about having all the answers but knowing how to navigate when the path ahead isn’t clear.
2. The Battle for Attention
Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube—who has time to think?
My kids need to learn how to reclaim their attention from an attention economy gone wild. These platforms are designed to capture and hold attention, feeding endless streams of content. Kids today can lose hours on TikTok trends or Snapchat streaks, drifting through digital noise rather than focusing on what truly matters. My kids need to filter out the noise, be deliberate with their time, and focus on what adds real value to their lives. The rise of digital communication brings benefits but also unique stressors—like digital burnout, anxiety from comparison, and the impact of cyberbullying. They will need to develop strategies to unplug, set boundaries, and practice mindfulness to maintain their emotional resilience. Understanding the importance of mental well-being, seeking help when needed, and normalizing conversations around mental health will be crucial in navigating a future where digital and real-world pressures collide.
3. Building Bonds Beyond the Screen
Tinder swipes and WhatsApp chats are easy, but I want my kids to find connections that last beyond the Wi-Fi.
Socializing increasingly happens online—whether in multiplayer games like Call of Duty or on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble. While technology makes connecting easy, it also makes it easy to stay superficial. Genuine relationships require vulnerability, effort, and time—things that don’t fully translate online. They’ll need to prioritize in-person connections and understand that true friendships go beyond emojis and screens.
4. Lifelong Learning in the Age of Automation
Forget the old career ladder. My kids will need to invent their own playbook in a world where jobs disappear as fast as they’re created.
The job market is transforming rapidly, with AI and automation reshaping industries at breakneck speed. Jobs that existed five years ago are disappearing, while new ones are emerging that we hadn’t even imagined. Think about how ChatGPT is starting to impact customer service and content creation. My kids will need to adapt quickly, think critically about where they can add value, and lean into what makes them uniquely human—like creativity, strategic thinking, and empathy—skills that machines can’t replicate. Jobs like travel agents have been replaced by Expedia, taxi drivers by Uber, DVD rental clerks by Netflix, and bank branch staff by neobanks. Meanwhile, new jobs like podcast producers, cryptocurrency traders, digital wellbeing coaches, 3D printing technicians, virtual event planners, VR developers, and telemedicine specialists have emerged. My kids will need to be ready to pivot and reinvent themselves. And so, my kids must develop a love for lifelong learning, adapting to new technologies, and continuously updating their skills. They’ll need to be curious and proactive about learning—not just through formal education but also by seeking out new experiences, experimenting, and staying adaptable. This mindset will help them navigate a future where change is constant and opportunities come to those who are ready to learn and adapt.
5. Choosing Where to Live in a Hotter World
Droughts, hurricanes, and rising sea levels—the geography of the future will look very different. My kids will need to choose wisely where to build a life.
Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s here, reshaping our daily lives. Tornadoes are becoming more frequent in the Central U.S., and hurricanes are battering Florida and Texas more than ever. My kids will need to think carefully about where to live, choosing places that are less vulnerable to climate disasters or investing in homes designed to withstand extreme weather. Thriving in a heating world isn’t just about avoiding danger; it’s about making conscious choices that help protect the planet and their future.
6. The Case for Staying Active
Sitting is the new smoking, and my kids will need to learn that moving their bodies and breathing fresh air is a ticket to happiness and health.
They need to stay active—not just for fitness but for mental well-being. Hiking in the woods, playing sports with friends, or simply taking a walk—these activities keep their bodies strong and spirits light. Studies show that being in nature reduces stress and boosts happiness. I want my kids to make time for physical activities, to find joy in movement, and to discover the peace that comes from staying connected with the natural world.
7. Developing a Strong Moral Compass
When shortcuts are tempting and ethics get blurry, my kids must find their true north and stay the course.
In a world where AI can decide who gets a job, and genetic engineering can determine what diseases we might avoid, my kids will need to navigate ethical gray areas that have no easy answers. They will encounter situations where profit, convenience, or popularity might conflict with doing what is right. I want them to have the courage to choose empathy, fairness, and integrity even when it’s hard—because these choices define who they are and shape the world they live in.
8. Navigating Cultural Fault Lines
Migration is reshaping societies, bringing both opportunities and challenges.
My kids will need to bridge divides in a world that’s increasingly connected but also more divided. As migration continues to transform communities, these changes bring richness but can also create tensions and misunderstandings. My kids will need to navigate these cultural shifts with empathy and openness, finding common ground and embracing diversity in a world where differences are often amplified.
9. Facing Global Threats with Resilience
Nuclear tensions, pandemics, and cyberattacks are today’s new normal. My kids must learn to stay strong amid the chaos.
From the war in Ukraine, with its shelling near nuclear plants, to the ongoing risk of pandemics and cyberattacks, global threats feel more immediate than ever. They’ll need to stay informed, critically evaluate what they hear, and understand the complexities of global events. But they can’t afford to be paralyzed by fear. They must build resilience, focus on what they can control, and find ways to protect themselves and their communities.
10. Finding Meaning in an Abundant Age
What drives you when energy is endless, and a paycheck isn’t a necessity? My kids will need to dig deep to find meaning beyond money and survival.
The future could bring unimaginable abundance—think universal basic income funded by AI-driven profits or near-zero energy costs from advancements in nuclear fusion startups like Helion and Commonwealth Fusion Systems. It could also mean the possibility of living independently from any state by going off the grid—harnessing zero-cost energy from solar, desalinating water cheaply, accessing the internet via Starlink, and living in a prefab home. I worry my kids might struggle to find motivation in a world where traditional incentives for work have faded. They’ll need to look beyond material success, find purpose in their passions, contribute to their communities, and pursue lifelong learning.