Gap in Education - Traditional schooling is increasingly inadequate in teaching essential life skills like etiquette, confidence, and mindfulness. This gap has become even more alarming post-COVID, as Scottish school results reveal a disturbing trend: students are emerging from lockdowns with heightened anxiety and diminished confidence, struggling to navigate life beyond the classroom. The lack of emphasis on emotional resilience and social competence leaves young people unprepared for real-world challenges.

Modern Challenges - Today’s youth face intense social pressures, amplified by constant digital distractions. With little formal training in social skills, many are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of modern life, leading to isolation and a lack of preparedness for future success.

Lack of Guidance - Parents and teachers, often overwhelmed themselves, are increasingly unable to provide the necessary support in developing critical social and personal skills. As a result, young people are left without the guidance needed to build emotional intelligence, self-discipline, and interpersonal abilities, further deepening the challenges they face in today’s demanding environment.

Influence of Peers and Social Media - More than ever, children are looking to their peers and social media influencers for guidance. Unfortunately, these sources often prioritize superficial trends over meaningful life lessons. The rise of social media has made influencers the new role models, but they frequently promote unhealthy standards and values, leading to distorted perceptions and misguided priorities. This shift means that children are learning the wrong lessons, exacerbating issues like anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor decision-making skills.