Parenting has entered a new era. According to Youth Dynamix research conducted in November 2025, prepared for Liberty, Gen Z and Gen Alpha children are growing up in an environment defined by rapid technological change, rising costs, emotional complexity and deep uncertainty. This makes future ready parenting not only more challenging, but more essential than ever before.

The research reveals that children are more digitally immersed, financially aware and globally connected than previous generations, yet they are also experiencing higher levels of stress and pressure. Careers are shifting faster than education systems can adapt and the future world of work will demand continuous learning, adaptability and diverse skillsets.

Against this backdrop, Liberty is urging parents to rethink the way they plan for their children’s futures, starting with a strong, future focused education plan.

A new childhood requires a new approach to planning

The Youth Dynamix report shows that children, even under 13, are absorbing adult anxiety and financial pressure. As they grow older, they face increasing demands related to academic competition, digital comparison, mental health and uncertainty about career pathways.

Children today are engaging with AI driven tools, navigating online influence, following global content and interpreting career landscapes that look nothing like what their parents experienced. They understand the cost of living, see economic challenges at home and recognise the need for multiple skills to remain relevant.

“Parents are raising children in a world where the rules have changed,” says Zandile Makhoba, Lead Research and Insights Specialist at Liberty. “The future is unpredictable, but one thing is certain: children will need more education, more upskilling and more flexibility to succeed. That requires early and intentional planning.”

Education planning is now a parenting imperative

Education planning is no longer a nice to have but an essential component of preparing Gen Z and Gen Alpha children for adulthood. The rising cost of education, combined with the need for continuous learning, means parents must think beyond saving for a single qualification.

A future ready education plan must support:

• multiple qualifications
• micro credentials and digital certifications
• short courses
• postgraduate studies
• specialised skills training
• lifelong learning

“Today’s children will build careers that are nonlinear and will require ongoing investment in education,” says Sheila-ann Robey, a Liberty financial adviser specialising in education planning. “Parents do not need to save large amounts to get started. What matters most is starting early, staying consistent and building a flexible plan that grows with the child.”

The impact on families

According to Liberty, education planning offers benefits that extend beyond paying for school or university. A strong, long-term plan:

• reduces financial stress in the home
• creates certainty in an unpredictable world
• gives children more choices in their career paths
• protects families from rising education costs
• supports evolving learning models
• empowers parents to contribute within their means

“Education planning is not just financial planning,” adds Robey “It is emotional planning. It is a way to give children confidence, stability and freedom to pursue opportunities in a world that is changing every day.”

As South Africa navigates its economic and social challenges, families are urged to prioritise education planning as part of their long-term financial wellness.

“Parents cannot control the world their children will inherit,” says Makhoba. “But they can control how prepared their children are to navigate it. Investing in a child’s education is one of the most powerful acts of protection and empowerment a parent can offer.”

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