Stop Dumping on Children: You Are Not a Hero

Tyren reese
NicheLess
Published in
4 min readMar 15, 2024

Have you ever considered how your words and actions might affect the younger generation? Let’s discuss the concept of trauma dumping and its impact on our youth.

Trauma dumping is when individuals unload their traumatic experiences without considering the impact. This behavior, particularly when it demonizes the opposite gender, is poisoning relationships among younger generations.

Unintended Consequences

Imagine a young girl scrolling through social media, encountering a barrage of misogyny and gender-based insults. Each comment chips away at her sense of self-worth. Picture a young boy navigating online forums filled with misandry and toxic masculinity, struggling to reconcile conflicting messages about manhood.

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Picture those negative vibes following you, creeping into your daily life, shaping how you see the world. That's what happens when grown-ups can't agree online and end up dragging kids into their conflicts.

This digital gender conflict isn't just about people arguing on the internet—it's like a dark cloud that hangs over everything, influencing how kids think and feel every day.

When kids are exposed to these negative ideas about boys and girls, it's like planting seeds of doubt in their minds. They start believing boys and girls are supposed to act a certain way, and it can lead to all sorts of problems, i.e., toxic gender dynamics.

Toxic Gender dynamics

In the modern age, there's a power struggle. One gender believes they're superior to the other. This creates a toxic atmosphere where the "weaker" gender feels sidelined and unappreciated. Consequently, this breeds resentment, inequality, and distrust, leading to the spread of hateful speech based on gender.

Hashtags like #abortmalebabies, #bulletbags, #yesallwomen, and #IHateFemalesWho exemplify how gender stereotypes and animosity are fueled online. These hashtags not only reinforce harmful gender biases but also deepen the divide between genders. Instead of encouraging empathy, they encourage discrimination, propelling a cycle of hostility and prejudice.

Hero Complex

Amidst the sea of online narratives, many adults feel compelled to share cautionary tales from their relationships and opposite-gender traumas. Believing they are guiding the younger generation. Are they genuinely motivated by a desire to help, or is a more profound impulse at play?

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Could some adults be drawn to the spotlight, seeking validation and attention for their stories?

For example, if I made a video saying, “Lisa cheated on me, women are trash,” VS “Lisa cheated on me that woman is trash,” which one would be more helpful VS which one would get more views? If your comments and content towards the latter, you are not helping.

Straw manning the issue

Have you ever tried to converse with someone, and they twisted your words and attacked you instead of listening to what you had to say? That's what happens when people use the straw man and ad hominem tactics in the gender war.

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It's like trying to build a bridge between two sides, but instead of working together, they're throwing rocks at each other. When someone misinterprets the other side's argument or attacks their character, they put up a big wall instead of trying to find common ground.

You know what's sad? When kids see all this negativity online, it affects them too. They start to think that's how people talk to each other, making it harder for them to trust others and have meaningful conversations.

Hey there,

You know, sometimes, when we're going through tough times, it can feel like we're carrying the world's weight on our shoulders. It's okay to talk about it and get it off your chest. But here's the thing: when we share our pain online, it can sometimes add fuel to the fire instead of helping us heal.

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I want to remind you that there are other options out there, ones that can make a difference. Things like reaching out for professional help or joining support groups can give you a safe space to navigate through those relationship challenges. You'll find confidentiality, expert guidance, strategies to manage your emotions, and a community of people who've been where you are and want to help.

Let's not forget about the impact this has on our younger generation. They're watching and learning from us, so we must set a positive example. By taking responsibility for how we interact online, having open and constructive conversations, and seeking out the support we need, we can create a brighter and healthier environment for the generations to come.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. We're all in it together, and together, we can make a real difference.

As adults, we must recognize our role in shaping the next generation's perceptions and behaviors toward relationships. By modeling healthy communication, fostering trust, respecting boundaries, and promoting positive development, we can empower our youth to build fulfilling and respectful relationships.

Will you join us in creating a brighter future for Generation Z?

Photo by Andrea Riondino on Unsplash

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