First Light with James Orr

Why Gen Z Is So Unhappy | Freya India

Nov 25, 2025
Freya India, a writer and cultural critic known for her insights on Generation Z, dives into the struggles of young women today. She discusses the loneliness of Gen Z, the impact of therapy culture on mental health, and how feminism's promises have sometimes led to confusion rather than empowerment. Freya critiques the commodification of youth, including the dangers of digital culture, and emphasizes the need for moral guidance in today’s world. She suggests that genuine freedom can arise from boundaries and structures, offering a hopeful path forward.
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INSIGHT

Emancipation Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness

  • Feminism pushed women into competitive spheres that don't reliably produce happiness.
  • Emancipation via career and consumerism can leave both sexes less fulfilled.
INSIGHT

Commodification Is Gradual And Ubiquitous

  • Social media has normalized selling oneself and gradual sexualization before adulthood.
  • OnlyFans is extreme but is an incremental extension of everyday online self-marketing.
ADVICE

Keep Children Off Social Media

  • Remove children from social media rather than relying on digital literacy or screen-time fixes.
  • Delete addictive apps for young people; limits are more effective than teaching self-control.
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