Chris Mzumbwe, a psychologist from Mbeya has raised a concern in a post on social media over many young people born after the year 2000 who seem to have lost their way in life due to a lack of proper upbringing from their parents and the communities around them.
Mzumbwe expressed concern that these youths, often called "Generation 2000," have strayed from the basic values of being a complete man or woman. He explained that they lack physical, emotional, and mental maturity.
He also pointed out that many of these young people believe money is more important than humanity. This focus on money has led to a generation of parents and spouses who lack true care and responsibility.
He added that many young people now believe in living without the need for marriage, especially because of growing ideas about women's independence.
Mzumbwe warned that this mindset will lead to a society without unity or patriotism. He predicted that institutions and governments might make poor decisions, and society could become divided by wealth, with people caring more about money than moral values.
Pastor Silvester Mwampulule from the Restoration Bible Church shared a similar view. He said that technology and globalization have caused a decline in the moral values of young people born after 2000.
He explained that many parents are now too focused on their work and do not spend enough time with their children. As a result, these children are adopting Western cultures and drifting away from their own traditions.
"You can find a young Tanzanian living by Western customs. Many families no longer fear God, even if they follow a religion. We need to return to our Creator if we want to save this generation," Mwampulule said.
He also gave advice on what parents, guardians, and society should do to raise their children well. He said parents should pray for their children, be good role models, give them good advice, and have strong relationships with them to encourage open communication.
Sheikh Hassan Katanga, a member of the Mbeya Regional Council of Sheikhs, also commented on this issue. He said that modern lifestyles have caused young people to lose their morals.
“To fix this, we need to go back to the teachings of the Quran and the Bible. We should read and learn from them. If people have a true fear of God, society will become more ethical,” Sheikh Katanga said.
As these concerns grow, community leaders are calling for immediate action to guide the youth back to good moral values and ensure a better future for the next generation.