A new wave of research and social commentary is sparking heated debate about how Generation Z – those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s – are “protecting their peace” in ways that older generations often view as avoidance or shirking of responsibility. The recently published feature in VegOut Magazine highlights nine key behaviors, such as ghosting, preemptive blocking, and “therapy speak” shutdowns, which are being reevaluated in both Western and Asian societies, including Thailand, for their impacts on mental health, workplace culture, family relationships, and social cohesion (VegOutMag.com).
The article opens with the story of a Gen Z individual, “Jake,” who chooses to ignore uncomfortable messages from his girlfriend, mother, and even work colleagues, rationalizing that he’s preserving his mental health. What an elder relative initially interprets as “healthy boundary setting” quickly reveals itself as systematic avoidance of all forms of adversity. This generational tension is at the heart of the phenomenon – what older adults see as fleeing from growth opportunities, Gen Z reframes as rigorous self-care and self-protection.
This issue is particularly relevant to Thai society, where traditional values of respect for elders, perseverance, and harmony often clash with contemporary mental health discourse and boundary-setting language now flourishing among youth. At the same time, young Thais are increasingly exposed to global conversations around mental health via social media, with platforms such as Instagram and TikTok amplifying trends like “protect your peace,” “no negative vibes,” and “boundaries over obligations.”
A crucial insight from the article is the recognition that Gen Z has rapidly internalized the vocabulary of emotional wellness – using terms like “triggers,” “toxic relationships,” and “self-care” not just for healing, but sometimes as shields to evade accountability, uncomfortable conversations, or conflicts. This is echoed in research from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, which found that while awareness of mental health has risen among youth globally, including in Thailand, so have self-reported rates of loneliness and social disconnection (Harvard GSE).
Among the “nine ways” listed in the VegOut feature, the following behaviors stand out:
Preemptive Blocking – Rather than engaging in dialogue over disagreements, Gen Zers may swiftly block contacts perceived as sources of negative energy, even for minor criticisms. Previous generations did similar things but over months of passive avoidance; digital natives now do it with a single click.
Therapy-Speak Shutdowns – Common phrases like “that’s triggering for me,” or “I need to protect my energy,” are used as conversation-enders, sometimes preventing constructive feedback at work or home. Mental health experts have dubbed this phenomenon “weaponized self-care talk.”
The Ghosting Epidemic – In both personal and professional settings, disappearing without explanation is becoming normalized. Human resource experts in the Thai private sector have reported a rise in “ghost quitting,” where young employees simply stop showing up or responding, often attributed to needing to “prioritize well-being.”
Algorithmic Echo Chamber – Social media curation habits reinforce positive feedback loops, sheltering Gen Z from dissent, negative news, or uncomfortable truths. The result is often a shock when real-life interactions don’t match this digital equilibrium.
No Negative Vibes Policy – Emotional boundaries are morphing into emotional walls, sometimes leading Gen Zers to abandon anyone or anything perceived as “heavy” or “uncomfortable,” even if support is genuinely needed.
Job Exodus at First Friction – Unlike their parents, who might have tolerated poor working conditions for decades, some Gen Zers switch or leave jobs at the first sign of stress, calling workplaces “toxic” for routine challenges. While this has helped weed out genuinely harmful environments, critics say it creates a culture of perpetual new beginnings, rarely allowing for growth through adversity.
Relationship Tap-Out – Romantic and platonic relationships are ended not solely for major incompatibilities, but often at the first sign of discord, requiring little effort to maintain or repair.
Perpetual Student Mindset – Many Gen Zers declare themselves “not ready” for life’s engagements due to ongoing “self-work,” postponing commitments and difficult conversations indefinitely.
Accountability Allergy – Being held responsible is frequently reframed as aggression or “toxic expectations,” leading to a culture of evasion rather than confrontation and resolution.
Expert opinions present a nuanced picture. International psychology journals and Thai mental health researchers agree that Gen Z has benefited tremendously from normalized mental health discussions. Director of a leading Thai psychiatric hospital recently observed, “We are pleased to see more youth speaking out about their feelings, seeking counseling, and refusing clearly abusive situations. The challenge is distinguishing between healthy boundaries and avoidance that impairs social development.” This balance is critical in Thai society, where a harmonious balance between collectivist values and individual mental health is still evolving (PubMed).
According to Thai labor studies, the trend toward job-hopping is especially pronounced in urban hubs like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, with companies reporting higher turnover among new graduates than ever before. Employers in the tourism and services sector – vital pillars of the Thai economy – have noted a heightened difficulty in retaining Gen Z workers who increasingly value companies with explicit policies for well-being, flexible schedules, and supportive feedback environments (The Nation Thailand).
Family dynamics are also shifting. In line with observations from the VegOut article, counselors at leading Thai universities report that more students are “ghosting” their families or skipping major holidays for the sake of “mental detox.” A student life counselor at a prominent Bangkok university notes, “Many students want to return home, but fear emotionally charged discussions with relatives. They are protecting their peace, but sometimes at the cost of family connections.”
Yet, as the VegOut article argues, the line between peace and avoidance is often blurred. Resilience is developed through facing, not fleeing, discomfort. A senior Thai educator and parenting expert points out, “Previous generations perhaps endured too much. But if every disagreement or request is labeled toxic, we risk creating adults ill-equipped for the realities of work, love, and community life in Thailand.”
This generational divide is mirrored in many societies but is given extra texture in Thailand by the weight of cultural expectations around “greng jai” (a sense of deference and not wanting to impose on others), which may both fuel and be challenged by Gen Z’s new language of self-care and boundaries (Bangkok Post).
Looking to the future, mental health professionals emphasize the importance of teaching young people not just about the need for boundaries, but also about the inevitability and usefulness of discomfort, failure, and conflict. “Thai youth are right to seek safety and happiness,” says a prominent Thai adolescent psychologist. “But if every form of stress is avoided, we lose a vital chance to grow strong together. There is value in difficult conversations.”
For Thai parents, teachers, and employers, the recommendation is clear: open lines of communication, seek to understand the new language of well-being, but also encourage gradual exposure to manageable adversity. Family rituals, school projects, and structured feedback at work all provide opportunities to negotiate boundaries while strengthening resilience. For Gen Z themselves, the challenge is to discern when to truly protect their peace – and when to stretch it a little for the sake of personal and societal growth.
In practical terms, Thai readers and educators can support youth by:
- Modeling healthy conflict resolution and open dialogue about mistakes
- Offering praise not only for taking care of mental health, but for perseverance through adversity
- Encouraging blended solutions where boundaries are set, but responsibilities are still met
- Providing safe forums for difficult conversations, such as restorative circles in schools or mental health workshops in workplaces
- Respecting authentic needs for space, while gently challenging avoidance that blocks growth
Ultimately, the peace worth cultivating is not one that requires constant withdrawal, but one built on confidence to engage with – rather than shy from – life’s inevitable challenges. As the global conversation continues, Thailand can both honor its traditions and adapt creatively to a new generation’s vision of wellness.
Sources: VegOutMag.com, Harvard GSE, PubMed, The Nation Thailand, Bangkok Post