Mike Mathis, a specialist in youth anger management from Cleveland, Ohio, is dedicated to empowering youth and at-risk teens in his state. Through his Mentoring with the Mentees programs, he teaches essential relationship, communication and dating etiquette skills, helping them to pave a path towards a brighter future.
A video shared on Instagram by Brother Ben X on May 4 featured Mathis actively engaging with a group of teenagers, demonstrating first-date etiquette through role-playing exercises. Students learned practical skills such as opening doors for their dates, choosing appropriate seating arrangements, and effectively steering conversations while respecting and exploring their partner’s personality.
A student expressed gratitude for taking the class, recognizing it as a valuable tool for boosting confidence in a generation known for struggling to communicate their feelings with each other. And indeed, he’s correct.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by the popular dating app Hinge in February, Gen Z daters—those born between 1997 and 2012—are significantly more likely than millennials to express nervousness about talking to people, with a 47% higher likelihood attributed to the pandemic. They are also 25% more likely to feel less confident on a first date due to its lingering effects. The report underscores that even years after the onset of Covid-19, its impact continues to shape how Gen Z socializes.
This anxiety often translates into a fear of rejection, hindering them from pursuing romantic interests. More than half of Gen Z Hinge users admitted that this fear has impeded their romantic pursuits, while 44% of them have limited or no dating experience at all. The report noted that Gen Z daters tend to circumvent direct communication, preferring humor and memes to avoid appearing awkward or overly eager.
Gen-Z is looking for love.
Despite these challenges, there remains a strong desire among Gen Z to forge meaningful romantic connections. Forbes noted that on average, Gen Z spends nearly 51 minutes daily on dating apps, with women investing slightly more time (52 minutes) than men (49 minutes) in their quest for the ideal match.
Interestingly, a substantial portion of survey respondents from all generations, particularly Gen Z at 52%, expressed a primary goal of seeking long-term relationships through dating apps. This desire was slightly less pronounced among millennials (49%), Generation X (47%), and baby boomers (47%).
Social media users react.
In the comments section, social media users applauded Mathis for teaching young adults “ how to respect and communicate with each other.”
One user penned, “Lord protect this man!!! This is definitely KING AND QUEEN LEVEL!!! Great job teaching them these very needed life and relationship skills.”
Another fan penned, “Super dope! Teaching the young Kings and Queens how to properly tend to one another in relationships. You’d be surprised how many adults don’t know what some consider simple and basic. Even something as [a] man walking closer to the street when walking with a woman.”
A third netizen of Instagram added, “Can he teach the men who are 30 – 50?”
More on the Mentoring With The Mentees program.
According to the Mentoring with the Mentees website, Mathis also educates young adults on effective communication with their parents, how to develop career skills, and foster greater engagement and vision for their futures. He also equips participants with the tools necessary to excel in their current job roles.
“Our goal is to create an environment where the child is excited to learn and pass along their knowledge to peers and loved ones (which fits in the learning Pyramid of Teaching Others and Simulations), resulting in a sense of confidence and motivation for further growth,” the Mentoring With The Mentees website notes. “ Once the child is exposed to that reversal, the youth will internalize things differently. The person monitoring the youth’s emotional pattern must be sure the environment directly correlates with the youth’s change.”
Mathis understands firsthand the challenges of lacking guidance and direction. In his biography, Mathis shared that his life took a transformative turn in 2001 when he spent eight years in a Mississippi state prison. Despite being in the wrong place at the wrong time with an undisciplined mindset, incarceration became a catalyst for personal growth and self-discovery. He credits this period for teaching him invaluable lessons in self-evaluation, discovering his values, building discipline, improving interpersonal skills and resilience.
Today, Mathis is deeply involved in community service, notably through his philanthropic efforts with the “I’m Not Famous but I Made It” organization, which he founded in 2015. The organization is committed to empowering individuals to pursue education and unlock their full potential. Since its inception, thousands of mentees supported by Mike Mathis Scholars have experienced significant improvements in their mental, financial and emotional well-being.
This is so dope! We salute you Mike Mathis.
RELATED CONTENT: Do Women Struggle With Accountability In Relationships? One Love Coach Says Yes
Most Popular
Comments / 0