The Role of Generation Z as Parents in Raising Children with Special Needs in Tanjung Siram Village, Bilah Hulu District, Labuhan Batu Regency.

Children with special needs (CWSN) in Tanjung Siram Village, Bilah Hulu District, continue to face various challenges, such as social discrimination, limited access to education, and a lack of understanding from their surrounding environment, including their own families. Along with the development of the times, a new generation of parents from Generation Z has emerged, bringing a different parenting style, filled with both opportunities and challenges in supporting their children, including those with special needs. Generation Z, having grown up in the digital era with rapid access to information, possesses unique characteristics in parenting; however, they still encounter difficulties in emotional maturity and decision-making. This study aims to explore in depth the roles, challenges, and strategies adopted by Generation Z parents in Tanjung Siram Village in raising children with special needs. Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological study method, data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations of the daily parenting patterns. The findings reveal that although Gen Z parents demonstrate openness and adaptability through the use of digital media, they continue to struggle with emotional management and maintaining consistency in parenting. Support from technology, online communities, and modern parenting approaches serves as a major strength; however, additional educational programs are still needed to strengthen their competencies. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of parenting children with special needs in the digital era while emphasizing the importance of intergenerational collaboration in building sustainable support systems, especially considering that many areas, including Tanjung Siram Village, still lack the establishment of Special Education Schools (SLB). Furthermore, this research is also directed toward the attention of local government authorities, urging them to become more aware of the conditions faced by children with disabilities, so that they can receive an education equal to that of other children without disabilities.