I think we can all agree that Gen Z is one of, if not the most, made fun of generations of the time. They are definitely different, compared to the previous generations, but I don’t think they deserve all the hate they get. The truth is, I think Generation Z is just fundamentally different.

The way people, and generations of people, develop is highly influenced by their surroundings and the state of the world at the time of their upbringing. Each generation has certain events that have been hugely influential to them. 

Baby boomers grew up in a world with the aftermath of World War II, Martin Luther King, and the JFK assassination just to name a few. Generation X had the stock market crash of 1987 and the economic recession in the late 1980s. Millennials lived through many other economically troubling times, the invention of the internet, and 9/11. So, what makes Gen Z so “different”?

Well, first of all, Generation Z started when the internet was already invented. So, we don’t know a time when technology wasn’t that advanced, therefore making us a very technology oriented generation. The iPhone, and many other impactful technologies were created during the time of our childhood. It’s gotten to a point where we spend almost too much time using technology. Generation Z is usually chastised for “always being on their phones” or using Tik Tok too much. I wouldn’t say that these accusations are exactly wrong, but I would say that we grew up in a time where technology moved so fast that it became a fundamental part of our lives. We don’t understand a time where the internet, smart phones, and Netflix (Yes, Netflix was actually invented in 1997, which is technically Gen Z) weren’t a thing.

But, technology isn’t the only thing that’s different. Generation Z is also the most diverse generation that this world has ever seen. Only 52% of Americans under 18 are white, compared to 75% of Boomers. It’s gotten to the point where most people in Gen Z don’t even know they’re so diverse because it’s all they’ve ever known. They know that America was much less diverse and accepting in the past, but they didn’t really live through that.

Speaking of acceptance, Gen Z is also the most embracing and accepting generations. Most Gen Z’ers are not afraid to show people who they really are, and being different is actually embraced by many in Gen Z. All different genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and religions are accepted and supported. 

Most in Generation Z also grew up with decent developed education. They are on their way to become the most educated generation.  In 2018, 57% of students out of high school were enrolled in a two-year/four-year college. Compare this with 52% of Millennials in 2003 and 43% of Gen X in 1987. With this, many also have very high aspirations and want to become financially successful when they grow up. Many already have jobs in high school, or have already started saving. They were old enough to witness and understand the effects of the Great Recession, but not old enough to really be impacted by it. This impacted them on a fundamental level, making them more conscious of saving money and appropriate spending.

In reality, there are a lot of things about Gen Z that I’m not proud of. Cancel culture, for example, is something I think Gen Z should stop. If you’re unaware, cancel culture is the act of being publicly reprimanded, shamed, or mocked. It’s a huge problem on social media, especially with celebrities or people with fame, and it was created by people in Generation Z.

So, in retrospect, are there things wrong with Gen Z? Yes. But it’s because they were brought up in a changed world and are just fundamentally different.

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