Gen Z is the generation born during the 1990s and early 2000s, currently reaching their mid-twenties and early-thirties. Generation Z is the first generation raised with internet connectivity from childhood, though they might be too young to remember the early days of the worldwide web. Here’s what to make of Gen Z, and why they might be more influential than the flower power generation.
Defining Generation Z
According to Britannica, Generation Z are those born during the 1990s and early 2000s. Other sources, like the Pew Research Center, place the exact years between 1997 and 2012 (which means Gen Alpha are most likely to be children of Gen Zers).
Like previous generations, Gen Z will no doubt try their best to avoid making their ancestors’ mistakes. Generation Z adults are smart and determined, though they face a different world from their parents’ and grandparents’. Gen Z knows the internet and smart devices, and recognises streaming before VHS tapes or floppy disks.
Words like “skibidy” and “gyatt” make complete sense to both Gen Z and Gen A, while other generations might have to resort to online resources like GenZSlangList.com. Research into Gen Z says that they’re more likely to be “highly collaborative and self-reliant” (Stanford Report).
Generation Z holds a lot of influence and might be a massive chunk of international spending power. It’s the generation tasked with imparting their footprint to everything from politics to music charts – a generation that’s raised with awareness of environmental impacts and social issues.
How one generation always differs from others
Whether or not you’re a guitarist, you might find the generational gap well illustrated by what the kids are calling “boomer bends” – traditionally bluesy, solo-inspiring, bended notes that many readers will immediately recall from some of their favourite songs. Young, fresh guitar enthusiasts find “boomer bends” a sign of the older generation, instead preferring to play cleaner guitar solos or use other techniques such as sweep-picking.
If you learned guitar playing from the boomer generation or spent much time listening to their music, you may understand “boomer bends” or instinctively incorporate them into your playing. (Note: now that you know what boomer bends are, they might stand out like a sore thumb – and a perfect example of how one generation is always different from the previous.)
One more example is the “millennial pause”, an instinctive habit of some generations to pause between starting to record and their first word, when recording video or voice notes. The reason some generations do this while others don’t is the adaptation to recording software versus old-school video cameras.
In the same way, Gen Z is expected to communicate with a whole new language: words like “lol” have already made it into the Oxford Dictionary. Generation Z has the power to influence work culture, language, politics – some clichés are true and the youth will become the future.
Gen Z: Spending power and better work culture
While the consumer culture of previous generations has been called “product-centric” and “customer service focused”, Generation Z wants to see quality in all aspects of the product, but also focuses on environmental responsibility, easy access and recommendations from others. The young generation adapts more easily to change and new technologies, pushing for highly technological homes and workplaces.
This generation is believed to become earlier home-buyers than some of their parents and grandparents. According to Property24, the age group also wants their homes to be as smart as their devices. Could one expect anything else from the internet era?
Statistics indicate that younger generations, including Gen Z and Gen A, hold most of the future’s spending power. Unlike their parents and grandparents, many younger generations are beginning their journeys with cryptocurrencies or stocks in a world where access is an app away. Simply, they’re on their way up.
A 2022 BBC feature (“Gen Z: The workers who want it all”) adds that this is the generation who has watched an older group suffer from total burnout. Therefore, this generation pushes for a better balance between work and home life – they’re willing to work hard, but want to see results or will simply find another company where they feel fairly represented.
Stanford Report research describes Gen Z as being “highly collaborative, self-reliant and pragmatic” in their thinking. McKinsey and Company (“What is Gen Z?”) adds: “Gen Z’ers are known for working, shopping, dating and making friends online.” Importantly, this generation is highly connected to the internet and will most likely be the driving force behind future technologies. Gen Z is also among those pushing for fair AI regulation, but simultaneously moving to understand its practical use.
The psychology of Gen Z
Generation Z is said to be determined and self-reliant, knowing what they want and finding ways to achieve it – though this quality is sometimes seen as arrogance or entitlement by older generations. Seeing the pressure placed on their parents and grandparents, Gen Z sees no problem with working hard to achieve their goals. However, Gen Z might be more likely than older generations to walk away from unfair employers: there’s no point in sticking to the same job for 20 years and getting a watch. While the approach seems arrogant and perhaps reckless to onlookers, it also appears to be successful. The statistics – and not just those I’ve quoted in this article – prove that Gen Z and Gen A have practical power over the future.
Gen Z and Gen A take a more serious and urgent approach to mental health. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), Gen Z is more likely to raise mental health issues and seek mental health treatment. For Gen Z and Gen A, mental health is as important as physical well-being. Stigma surrounding mental health concerns still exists, but it will hopefully decrease as this generation’s influence continues.
CNN reports a higher rate of anxiety, depression and other conditions (“Does Gen Z struggle more with mental health than millennials?”). However, it’s not that Gen Z struggles more with their mental health – they’re simply more willing and able to have issues diagnosed and treated.
While older generations will remember sayings such as “boys don’t cry”, younger generations see no shame in wearing their emotions on their sleeve. Emotional openness is healthy, instead of emotions being swept under the carpet or hidden away.
Some younger folk want more traditional lives (yes, tradwives and trad husbands), while others want to see open relationships or embrace finding their partner(s) through Tinder or Grindr. Thankfully, they’re also more aware of sexual health and protection than the flower power and other generations.
Z to A
The combination of Gen Z and Gen A will be the driving force behind future politics, spending powers and technologies. It’s clear that these generations shouldn’t be underestimated or undervalued by older groups – even when older generations are currently sitting in media houses, presidential offices and judges’ seats.
