Generation Z has often been labelled as lazy, but that is due to the growth in the efficiency of life with more technology.
One-third (32%) of Gen Z respondents say they are the hardest-working generation ever, with Millennials ranked as the second-hardest working generation at 25%. More than half (56%) say the Silent Generation is the least hardworking generation of all time.
One of the most common reasons why our generation is lazy is because we grew up in an era when technology was starting to be incorporated into every aspect of our lives. Thinking back, we can see how technology became extremely prevalent during our generation.
However, Gen Z can at times be more cynical and favour a more realistic outlook compared to idealism and are not as in tune to a time prior to social media. Lastly, 25% of Gen Z believe they should only stay in a job for a year or less, showing minimal organisational loyalty.
As generational stereotypes go, I nominate Gen X to be, without a doubt, known as "The Coolest Generation." Baby Boomers (1946 to 1964) started off on the right track with the hippie movement in the '60s, but soon became the folks that brought us the “Me Decade,” yuppies, and President Trump.
Gen Z is also the smartest and best educated generation. Having an unlimited wealth of information at our disposal has not gone to waste. In America, 57 percent of Gen Z is reported to have enrolled in a two-year or four-year college, compared to 52 percent of Millenials and 43 percent of Gen X.
As a result, more millennials than ever report being happy. That's especially true compared to the Baby Boomers, which the Pew Research Center labeled the “gloomy” generation. Baby Boomers tended to rate their overall quality of life much lower than non-boomers.
The Economist has described generation Z as a better-educated, well-behaved, stressed, and depressed generation compared to previous generations. Gen Z is also more ethnically diverse and familiar with gender-neutral pronouns.
They are pragmatic and value direct communication, authenticity and relevance. They also value self-care. They may be more likely than older people were when they were the age of the Gen Zers to question rules and authority because they are so used to finding what they need on their own.
While 83 percent of people born between 1928 and 1945 (dubbed “the Silent Generation”) were married by age 37, researchers predict that Gen Z - born between 1997 and 2012 - are marrying far less.
They prefer their jobs to be stable touchstones they can rely on — but still, they want it to be on their own terms. Stubborn independence — Despite wanting stability, the iGeneration, like their millennial predecessors, are practical.
The youngest generation in the workforce is also more likely to play conservative with their paychecks right now, with Gen Z most likely to put in longer hours or work harder. Nearly a third are also considering taking a second job or a more stable gig in the face of potential recession layoffs.
This generation cares greatly about autonomy and work-life balance — almost two-thirds of Gen Z would prefer to work for themselves in a start-up. About half report that they would quit their job if it interfered with their work-life balance.
Baby Boomers. That's right; adults aged 57 to 70 years old are the most active on a weekly basis, completing on average 215 minutes a week. When you give it some thought, it does make sense.
What females say are their favorite hobbies differ from what males say, but overall, the most popular hobbies for the Millennial and Gen Z generations, in order, are gaming, followed by music, sports, and art. Gaming was overwhelmingly first for males, but isn't in the top five for females.
Research also indicates that Gen Zers are currently the most stressed demographic of people. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that: 90% of Gen Z experienced psychological or physical symptoms as a result of stress in the last year.
Compared with older generations, Gen Z were more likely to be motivated to follow a diet or eating pattern to improve their physical appearance, better manage a health condition, improve their relationship with food, and to follow the federal government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and/or MyPlate ...
The Fear of the Future
Some of the biggest concerns have to do with finances and work. More than three in five (66%) do not feel financially stable, and 50% do not feel ready to join the workforce. Overall, 89% of Gen Z are worried about their personal finances, and 70% are concerned about the economy.
Their embrace of unorthodox learning methods partly stems from the vast adjustments they've made during the pandemic, as remote learning and new ways of gaining an education became standard. Not only is Gen Z more likely to go to college, but its members are on track to become the most educated generation yet.
Generation X
Gen X is often branded as being cynical, yet they have the highest rate of loyalty of any of the generations discussed here. They're less interested in trying new brands than other generations and instead prefer to stick with those they already know and trust.
Gen Xers would come to be known as one of the “least parented, least nurtured generations in U.S. history,” with parents divorcing at historic rates as both mom and dad worked in pursuit of an American Dream.
Happiness levels average lower today for most adults under age 35 than they did in 2017. However, the data show that Gen Zers report the lowest levels of happiness on record in the past five-year timespan.