Gen-Z is the future. Their capacity for change is widespread and their most common desire is to shake up the world, but their own fears are keeping them from maximizing their potential. Gen-Z is afraid to publicly advocate for their ideals and beliefs, especially when it comes to standing up for life. 

Gen-Z values flexibility, transparency, diversity, and independence. In conversations with Gen-Z college students, many were quick to label their own generation as anxious, bold, and independent. Some went so far as calling their own peers lazy and misinformed. 

Groupthink Mentality

One factor that could be attributed to this is groupthink mentality, which is when a group of people, aware of it or not, adopt the opinions, values, ideas and beliefs of one another without critically thinking about their own stance. 

This could be caused by peer pressure, the need to fit in, or FOMO — the fear of missing out. Groupthink mentality has only escalated since the birth of social media, but it is relevant between friend groups and family units as well. 

Social media’s part to play in this groupthink mentality can be attributed to Gen-Z’s fear of getting canceled — or disapproved of publicly. One member of Gen-Z went so far as to state that “there is rarely any real challenges or debates on opinions anymore because everyone will blindly trust the comment sections of their peers.” 

Due to the rise in short-form content, most of Gen-Z get their information solely from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, meaning that instead of doing further research themselves, they will often simply adopt the values and opinions of their favorite influencers. 

There is a lack of media literacy, which is why it is more important than ever for Gen-Z to educate themselves on the social issues and policies that are directly affecting them and their peers. When they are able to achieve this, their ability to break through the noise and make a difference in their communities will greatly increase as they will be equipped with the right resources. 

Educate Yourself

One of the most important issues facing Gen-Z today is abortion. Abortion has become so pervasive, with abortion pills now available through mail order. This means that ending the life of a pre-born child can be done without any in-person interaction with a medical professional. Pro-life apologetics are not often represented in mainstream media, leaving Gen-Z with misinformation and the false impression that abortion is an adequate form of birth control. 

Doing proper research on pro-life apologetics can provide knowledge that could lead to deeper conversations between friends and family members, or even between peers who are going through unplanned pregnancies. 

There is no shortage of adequate resources for Gen-Z students to utilize when wanting to conduct further research into this topic. There is countless access to free blogs and news forums dedicated to informing college students about pro-life apologetics. These are wonderful resources because they will provide information that is not often covered in mainstream media. 

One incredible organization geared towards college students specifically is Students for Life of America. Along with the educational resources on their website, they host Students for Life chapters at universities across the country in which students can participate in local volunteer opportunities, attend national pro-life events, and get additional training and mentorship on pro-life apologetics. 

Another great resource is Live Action, an organization set out to inspire and educate through eye-opening and life-saving content. They also conduct investigations into the lies and coverups of the abortion industry. In addition, they offer annual conferences where the public can hear from experts on pro-life apologetics as well as hear personal stories from those who have experienced unplanned pregnancies. 

No matter whether you are a Gen-Z or not, there is always a benefit to having open and honest conversations with those in a different stage of life than you. Ask your coworker, your child, your classmate, or your parents about their thoughts on abortion and if they feel like they have a hard time expressing their true beliefs on the topic publicly. There is a good chance that different generations will have different answers. 

Get Involved

Once you are equipped with the resources you need, the next step is getting involved and actually utilizing the new knowledge gained to make a difference in your community. You will find that you have a lot more confidence to publicly take a stand for life once you are educated with the right resources. 

Donating to pro-life education organizations or pregnancy centers is always an easy way to make a difference. While this may not be the best option for all Gen-Z as many are students and do not have a steady income, even just giving a small amount of the paycheck from their after-school gig can be impactful. 

There are several Bible verses that encourage this concept of giving. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it states “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (ESV). 

Giving is not limited to simply financial giving, as many pregnancy centers have consistent needs for diapers, baby clothes, baby food, and other supplies. An easy way for Gen-Z to make an impact in their communities is to host diaper drives or host fundraisers with their sports team, school, workplace, or church to raise funds for local pregnancy centers. 

Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center (BRPC) has many opportunities for Gen-Z to get involved, such as volunteering or contributing to the Baby Bottle Campaign and the Everylife diaper fund. BRPC even offers panel discussions for high school and college age students where they can learn about building healthy relationships and get educated on misconceptions surrounding abortion. 

No matter where you are located in the country, there are many annual pro-life rallies or marches that Gen-Z can attend at no cost. This gives them an opportunity to make signs, connect with others with similar views, and publicly take a stand in an easy and risk-free way. 

Make a Change

The opportunities are limitless for Gen-Z to take a public stand for life and make a change in their communities in both small and big ways. By being unashamed in their values and beliefs both online and offline, Gen-Z can become the pro-life generation. 

For central Virginia residents looking to make a change in their local community, visit BRPC’s Get Involved webpage for information on opportunities.