People often call Gen Z overly sensitive or coddled, starting all sorts of debates between generations. This makes us wonder about how society can change so quickly and how it affects young people. Here, we look at 18 reasons why this perception about Gen Z exists.
Trigger Warnings
Medium points out how content warnings are everywhere these days, showing up before anything that might be upsetting. You’ll find them in books, movies, and even college lectures. While they might help some people, they could also make us more sensitive and less ready to deal with tough topics in real life.
Delayed Adulthood
Most traditional milestones, such as moving out, getting married, and starting careers, are happening later for Gen Z. We know that economic factors play a part, but this extended adolescence makes young adults less prepared for responsibilities and less resilient to setbacks.
Less Time Outdoors
Gen Z spends less time outside than older generations. Always being inside with screens means they miss out on nature and outdoor play, which can make them less active and less connected to the environment. It might also affect their health and how they handle stress.
Digital Dependency
Growing up with constant connectivity and smartphones has definitely shaped how Gen Z sees the world. Relying on tech for everything—from getting around to chatting with friends—might have made it harder for them to handle real-world challenges and talk face-to-face.
Entitlement Mentality
Gen Z often hears they’re special and can achieve anything. This boost of confidence is great, but it can easily lead to unrealistic expectations about their place in the world and what they deserve without putting in the hard work.
Fear of Failure
Growing up with a focus on self-esteem sometimes meant avoiding real challenges. As a result, Gen Z is a bit more scared to leave their comfort zones which may hold back personal growth and resilience.
Social Media Validation
For a lot of Gen Z, self-worth is all about likes, comments, and follower counts. A constant need for digital validation can make them more prone to peer pressure and less confident in their own beliefs without outside approval.
Participation Trophies
Sports leagues and schools started giving out awards just for showing up, so kids got used to getting recognized without achieving anything. The result is that a whole generation thinks that putting in effort deserves praise, regardless of the results or skill development.
Helicopter Parenting
Parents of Gen Z often micromanaged every aspect of their children’s lives. Scheduling activities, monitoring grades online, and getting involved in conflicts became the norm. Many believe this constant supervision prevents kids from developing crucial problem-solving skills and independence.
Safe Spaces on Campus
Universities now have special areas where students can escape from uncomfortable ideas or discussions. These spaces are meant to protect from harm, but they might limit exposure to different viewpoints. Some people think this stops students from developing critical thinking and debate skills.
Cancel Culture
Boycotts and public shaming have become popular tools for accountability. Sure, they can drive positive change, but they’ve also created a lot of fear. Now, people are often worried about speaking their minds, afraid of the severe backlash for any wrong move.
Emphasis on Mental Health
This generation really emphasizes mental well-being and self-care. It’s great to see more awareness, but some people think it’s gone a bit too far. Self-diagnosis and expecting constant emotional accommodation have become pretty common.
Political Correctness
Gen Z is tuned into using inclusive language and avoiding offense. This promotes respect, but sometimes, it makes people overly cautious when they communicate. It can be tough to have open, honest conversations about complex social issues because everyone’s worried about saying the wrong thing.
Instant Gratification
On-demand entertainment and same-day delivery have set the bar high. We all want immediate results, but this might be chipping away at our patience and long-term goal-setting. It’s easy to get frustrated when things don’t happen right away.
Sensitivity to Criticism
Growing up in an environment that focuses on positive reinforcement has influenced how Gen Z responds to feedback. This nurturing approach might have left many unprepared to deal with constructive criticism or negative feedback in school and at work.
Expectation of Accommodation
Inclusivity is super important and personalized experiences in education and the workplace are now the norm for Gen Z. However, it’s easy to see how this can also bring the expectation that environments will always cater to individual needs and preferences.
Not a Fan of Discomfort
Gen Z has been protected from many of the hardships that older generations went through. While this environment was created with good intentions, it brings less flexibility when dealing with life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks.
Lack of Real-World Skills
Education has really zoned in on academic achievement and prepping Gen Z for college. Some argue that this focus might have overlooked practical life skills, leaving many of them unprepared for basic adult stuff like budgeting or home maintenance.
Up Next: 18 Reasons Why Men Get Grumpier As They Age
You might read this and be able to relate, or you may feel you’ve become grumpier the older you’ve gotten. Or maybe you know of a male friend or relative who has. Here are 18 reasons why men get grumpier as they age.
18 Reasons Why Men Get Grumpier As They Age
17 Products Millennials Refuse to Buy and It’s Affecting the Economy
Millennials have been the center of so much media attention due to their spending habits. Their unique ways of spending have built up and crushed many traditional industries. In this article, we look at 17 things millennials stopped buying and how that has impacted society.
17 Products Millennials Refuse to Buy and It’s Affecting the Economy
Where Even Truck Drivers Won’t Stop
Truck drivers tend to be hardy souls—well-seasoned travelers who aren’t often afraid to rest up or refuel in risky locations. However, there are certain U.S. locations that even the most road-weary trucker refuses to stop at for fear of criminal activity or natural dangers. Here are 17 such locations that even experienced truck drivers approach with trepidation (or not at all).