Gen Z are not 'coddled. ' They are highly collaborative, self-reliant and pragmatic, according to new Stanford-affiliated research. Generation Z, the first generation never to know the world without the internet, value diversity and finding their own unique identities, says Stanford scholar Roberta Katz.
Educated and empathetic. The pair say Gen Z is also the "most educated", "empathetic" and "politically aware" generation, as well as being the most diverse. "They're so accepting of different groups and I think that will have a significant impact both culturally and politically," Christensen says.
Sustainability and Conservation. Growing up with the threat of global warming looming over them, Gen Z is more eco-friendly and supports sustainability and other conservation efforts. In fact, some Gen Z-ers have become influential figures in advocating for this cause – case and point: Greta Thunberg.
Gen Z's economic concerns stem from the fear of accruing debt, limited job opportunities and the difficulty of finding affordable housing. These concerns have been exacerbated by the financial insecurity many young people and their families have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While earlier generations grew to feel strongly about social causes, Gen Z became socially focused at a very young age and is passionate about social justice issues. They believe in and care very much about equality.
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.
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.
Gen Z may be the most misunderstood generation
Just like every generation, Gen Z has its own unique set of values and priorities. But unlike the millennials before them, they lack the same opportunities to establish their place in the world. They're also facing more challenges than any other generation before them.
According to a 2021 Consumer Culture Report by 5WPR, Gen Z is prioritizing electronics, technology, health, and wellness. Conversely, Millennials and those from older generations prioritize travel and experiences, home goods, and furniture.
1. Gen Z believes it is the hardest-working generation – and have it the hardest – yet demand schedule flexibility to deliver their best work. 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%.
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.
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.
Gen-Z. 22% of Gen-Zers said they are either unhappy or hate work, making them the most unhappy generation. Gen-Z is the least fulfilled with just 41% finding great meaning and purpose.
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.
Only 37% of Gen Z fell into the loyalist category, defined as those who bought a product from the same brand they were considering at the start of the shopping journey. This is quite different from the 56% of boomers who did so. We found a steady decline in loyalty with each generation.
Bonfini, co-editor of the second edition of Casebook for DSM-5: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, observes that Generation Z as a whole lacks many of the social skills that previous generations learned through face-to-face interactions.
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.
Gen Z Terms and Definitions
Pew Research recently defined Gen Z as anyone born 1997 onwards. Gen Z grew up with technology, the internet, and social media, which sometimes causes them to be stereotyped as tech-addicted, anti-social, or “social justice warriors.”
Most members of Generation Z are children of Generation X. As the first social generation to have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology from a young age, members of Generation Z, even if not necessarily digitally literate, have been dubbed "digital natives".
Gen Zers are especially nostalgic for fashion from the 2000s. In 2021, Juicy Couture brought back their iconic tracksuit from the 2000s. Low-rise jeans are also making a huge comeback courtesy of Gen Zers. Pop culture and fashion from the 2000s are coming back, courtesy of Gen Z.