Fast becoming adults and entering the workforce, Gen Z is making waves as the youngest generation in adult society. The first to be digital natives, this diverse generation is fluent in technology, inclusivity, and sustainability. Here are 19 things in society that aren’t sitting well with Gen Zers.
Climate Inaction
Gen Z is educated on sustainability and has major concerns about the climate crisis. APCO says this is driven, in part, by their use of social media, which keeps them close to news and opinions. They say that “warnings that the corporate world is not acting swiftly enough on climate issues have led to feelings of frustration and disillusionment among Gen Z.”
Workplace Inflexibility
Influenced by the gig economy and the ways of working that the pandemic brought to the world, Gen Z wants to embrace work environments that allow flexibility, including remote work options and flexible hours. They place a lot of importance on their work-life balance, and they expect workplaces to be more inclusive and supportive of mental health.
Political Polarization
The nature of current politics is leaving Gen Z feeling frustrated with the lack of productive dialogue between differing viewpoints. This generation wants politicians to take action on issues like climate change, social justice, and economic reform, as well as represent young people’s interests and concerns.
Economic Inequality
Economic inequality affects access to education, healthcare, and housing, and according to FC Business, 72% of Gen Z adults believe that “the gap between the richest and the poorest is widening.” This has left the generation criticizing corporate greed and calling for a fairer economic system that provides equal opportunities.
Social Media Toxicity
Although Gen Z is big on social media usage, they also have concerns about the negative impact of social media on self-esteem and mental health. They are calling for social media platforms to be more accountable when it comes to harassment, misinformation, and hate speech.
Consumerism and Waste
Passionate about sustainability, Gen Z is frustrated by the environmental and ethical issues associated with fast fashion and our modern, throwaway culture. They are pushing for more sustainable consumption habits and generally support ethical, eco-friendly brands.
Education and Job Market Mismatch
Unimpressed with the cost of education, Gen Z thinks there is too big of a gap between the skills taught in education systems and those demanded by the job market. They are calling for curriculum reforms to better align teaching with current and future job market needs.
The Housing Crisis
With prices higher than ever before and mortgage rates increasing, Gen Z is struggling to become homeowners. The New York Times reported that a third of Gen Z survey respondents don’t expect to ever be able to own their own house.
Health Care Accessibility
This generation is frustrated with the struggle to access affordable and quality health care, which is impacting young people’s physical and mental health. As a result, Gen Z advocates for healthcare reform to ensure everyone gets access to the services they need.
Digital Privacy Concerns
As technology spreads to every aspect of our lives, Gen Z is concerned with the level of personal data collection and surveillance by tech companies and governments. Worried about the risk of data breaches or misuse of the information, they’re demanding stronger data protection laws and the right to digital privacy.
Gender Inequality
It’s not a new topic, but Gen Z, like others before them, is angry with the challenges related to gender equality in society. From wage gaps to representation in leadership roles and societal expectations, as well as gender-based violence and harassment online and offline, Gen Z says these issues need combating with an education that promotes equality and respect.
Media Bias and Representation
Media portrayals and the lack of diverse representation in film, TV, and news are things that don’t sit well with Gen Z. They are passionately demanding media that accurately reflects the diversity of society and challenges stereotypes, as they strongly feel the media plays a big role in shaping public opinion.
Mental Health Services
As education around mental health issues improves, Gen Z is demanding better resources and services to support them. McKinsey found that “one out of four Gen Z respondents said they could not afford mental health services, which had the lowest perceived affordability of all services surveyed.”
Fast-Paced Lifestyle Stress
Rejecting the idea of being ‘glamorously busy,’ Gen Z believes the pressure to constantly be productive is having hugely negative effects on mental health and well-being. In a society that values overachievement, this generation is advocating for mindfulness, mental health breaks, and the importance of leisure time.
Education Inequality
As well as frustrations with the curriculum, Gen Z is angry about the disparities in educational opportunities and resources based on geographic location and socioeconomic status. They believe this impacts lifetime earnings, health outcomes, and societal participation, and they are pushing to close the education gap as a result.
Education System Flaws
Gen Z criticizes education curricula for not preparing them for modern job markets, and according to L.E.A.F., “the lack of alignment between educational priorities and real-world concerns further deepens the disconnect, leaving many in Gen Z feeling that their education is out of sync with their values and the issues that matter most to them.”
Unsustainable Urbanization
While the demand for urban housing is growing, Gen Z is concerned by the rapid growth of urban areas, worrying about challenges such as infrastructure strain, pollution, and social inequality. They want to advocate for sustainable urban planning practices that promote green spaces, public transportation, and affordable housing.
Misinformation and Fake News
With the use of AI, social media, and other technology comes fake news, and Gen Z is concerned about its impact on public opinion and democracy. They’re passionate that society needs improved media literacy education to help individuals critically assess and evaluate information sources.
Public Transportation Deficiencies
The lack of reliable, affordable, and efficient public transportation options in many areas is frustrating to Gen Z, which says it is impacting accessibility to jobs, education, and services, particularly for low-income communities. With less of this generation owning cars, they’re advocating for investment in public transportation.
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