My take is that gen Z grew up around much more anti–capitalist, anti–work rhetoric, and had more realistic expectations about how well life within the system was going to go for them. Millennials really thought that if they studied hard, worked hard, remained loyal to their employer and kept climbing that ladder, they would live comfortably and happily ever after. Gen Z didn’t have to break that programming. To them, it was much more obvious that the system was rigged against them, and they were better off focussing on whatever works for them right now. They’re just as financially screwed, of course, but possibly have a better attitude about it.
Fair analysis. As a member of gen z myself (on the older side, born in the 90s) I can understand how having your hopes dashed like that can be tough.
If we’re talking about the mental toll then I think you’re probably right. Never having hope in the first place hurts slightly less. That being said if we’re talking about actual material wellbeing, it’s pretty clear gen z (so far) have it worse.
I’m saying this as someone who is a slightly older gen z, I feel absolutely blessed to be on the older side as the younger kids are so incredibly fucked it’s hard to even explain. I believed that studying hard would get me places, and it kinda did. If I was even 2 years older it would have got me far further. The shift since covid is hard to overstate. If things carry on in this direction I just don’t see a future for most of my generation.
Nature vs nurture but as a socioeconomic point of view. I haven’t ever thought about it like that, but you may have an argument there. As a mid level millennial it’s an interesting take. I’m gunna think about this for a little bit.
How do you think gen x faired as a generation in this thought process?
My take is that gen Z grew up around much more anti–capitalist, anti–work rhetoric, and had more realistic expectations about how well life within the system was going to go for them. Millennials really thought that if they studied hard, worked hard, remained loyal to their employer and kept climbing that ladder, they would live comfortably and happily ever after. Gen Z didn’t have to break that programming. To them, it was much more obvious that the system was rigged against them, and they were better off focussing on whatever works for them right now. They’re just as financially screwed, of course, but possibly have a better attitude about it.
Fair analysis. As a member of gen z myself (on the older side, born in the 90s) I can understand how having your hopes dashed like that can be tough.
If we’re talking about the mental toll then I think you’re probably right. Never having hope in the first place hurts slightly less. That being said if we’re talking about actual material wellbeing, it’s pretty clear gen z (so far) have it worse.
I’m saying this as someone who is a slightly older gen z, I feel absolutely blessed to be on the older side as the younger kids are so incredibly fucked it’s hard to even explain. I believed that studying hard would get me places, and it kinda did. If I was even 2 years older it would have got me far further. The shift since covid is hard to overstate. If things carry on in this direction I just don’t see a future for most of my generation.
Nature vs nurture but as a socioeconomic point of view. I haven’t ever thought about it like that, but you may have an argument there. As a mid level millennial it’s an interesting take. I’m gunna think about this for a little bit.
How do you think gen x faired as a generation in this thought process?