A new generation is being defined by a perceived lack of resilience, a phenomenon experts are calling the “Crystal Generation.” The term, coined by a specialist at the School of Occupational Therapy of the Andrés Bello University, was explained in an interview on ADN radio this Monday, February 9, 2026.
The specialist described the Crystal Generation as embodying a “fragility…like something that can break,” when considering the symbolism of a crystal. She added that this vulnerability isn’t new, but rather more visible now due to its frequent discussion on platforms like TikTok and other social networks. This visibility often leads parents to actively try to shield their children from experiences they themselves endured.
Social Factors at Play
The emergence of this fragility is linked to a complex interplay of social factors impacting today’s youth. “The phenomenon is very complex because one could think that it has a very simplistic view and say that this is because parental guilt or responsibility or this is because of the media,” the specialist explained, “and in general they are factors that are intertwined.”
She further pointed out that many parents are navigating “a very high stress load due to economic and work issues,” while simultaneously being bombarded with media portrayals of “perfect” parenting.
Respectful Parenting and Setting Boundaries
The discussion also touched on the concept of “respectful parenting,” a style that can sometimes be misinterpreted. The specialist cautioned against equating respectful parenting with a lack of boundaries.
“Many times we take this respectful upbringing as a parenting without limits, an upbringing that everything has space, that everything has to be said yes, and in reality respectful upbringing is very different from this,” she stated.
Effective parenting, she emphasized, involves being “attentive to the needs of children” and helping them “regulate” their emotions, while also equipping them with “tools to face life.” This doesn’t mean avoiding “sometimes saying, no, we can’t do this now.”
Listen to the full ADN radio interview from February 9, 2026
