Fostering thanksgiving and gratitude is more powerful than recalling one’s blessings in life. As outlined in a 2025 report on PositivePsychology.com, gratitude can rewire the neurological functioning of the brain, serve as a powerful buffer against mental health concerns, and significantly improve relationships. The caveat being the object of one’s thankfulness and gratitude. As explained in a 2023 report on HappyHealthyHer.com, in a toxic relationship, the dark side of gratitude can be blinding, bonding, create unhealthy expectations, and lead to negativity.
There are many reasons why society should be thankful for the current generation of emerging adults. Young adults can proverbially be viewed as the generation that’s next in line to lead the world; however, research suggests that the current generation of emerging adults won’t wait as long to lead as prior generations. According to a 2024 report on CNBC.com, not only did Gen Z workers outnumbered the baby boomers in the American labor force for the first time in history, the number of Gen Z CEOs increased. In 2023, Euronews.com reported a generational change in world politics and stated that since the early 1980’s, the average age of European heads of government continues to get younger.
It’s anticipated that a generational shift in world influence will bring significant change, and there’s reasons to expect positive changes in societal cultural wars and mental health as young adults become leaders. As such, it’s time to give thanks in advance for this emerging generation.
Gratitude For A Predicted End To The Cultural Wars
Earlier this year, a report on Forbes.com summarized how emerging adults have historically responded to cultural wars and highlighted how young adults are already disillusioned by the current cultural war in America. According to this report, culture wars typically occur when political parties attempt to impose their will on each other, insult those with opposing viewpoints, and seek ways to cancel the social and professional lifestyles of one another. Cultural wars are intense conflicts, usually fought by a generation worried about legacy, and exist between extreme groups on opposite sides of the political pendulum. According to history, what stops a cultural war is when the majority of constituents engage in the political process and use their large numbers to diffuse the influence of the extreme groups.
Research suggests that it’s difficult to get the majority of constituents to engage in the political process. For example, a 2022 report by the Pew Research Center found that when comparing the 2020 presidential election against national elections in 49 other countries, that the U.S. ranked 31st. However, as the report on Forbes.com explained, young adults, especially college students, were instrumental in sparking majority responses in past cultural wars related to the Vietnam War and racial injustice. As the report argued, a byproduct of past cultural wars and political disillusionment is the emergence of young adults who become future political leaders. Such leaders could end the current cultural war in America.
Gratitude For The Predicted Increase In Mental Health Awareness
Mental health concerns in American continue to increase at an alarming rate. A 2025 report on CDC.gov indicated that the prevalence of depression in U.S. adolescents and adults increased in the past decade by 60%. A 2024 report by Mental Health America also found that almost 13 million adults in America reported serious thoughts of suicide, and that number of individuals who died by suicide in 2022 was the highest number ever recorded in this country.
Despite these upward trends, one factor that’s different among the current generation of young adults is research suggesting an increased awareness for many mental health concerns. A 2024 study in the journal of Mental Health & Prevention found that younger participants were more likely to identify a mental health problem and recommend help-seeking for social anxiety and grief than older participants. This study also found that younger participants rated their mental health as worse than older participants, but the authors argued that the results were overall consistent with better sensitivity.
Another 2024 study in the journal of Social Science & Medicine found increases in social media platforms disseminating public health information and mental health campaigns. This is consistent with the normalization of television commercials in America focusing on mental health. Furthermore, a 2024 report on Forbes.com outlined new models in college mental health, and the potential impact that these new models can have on society. Given the alarming statistics about mental health concerns in America, an increase in mental health awareness and a new infrastructure for mental health treatment will likely be vital in addressing these concerns.
In summary, emerging adults are next in line to lead the world; however, the current generation of young adults don’t appear willing to wait much longer. The generational shift in world influence will bring change, but there’s reason for gratitude and to give thanks in advance for these predicted changes.