6 Things Boomers & Gen X Call Stubborn Defiance That Gen Z Just Sees As Sticking Up For Themselves
Juan_Hernandez / Shutterstock We all get to choose what we put up with and what we won't accept, although we also have to bear the consequences of how other people feel about that.
On the whole, Gen Z values advocating for both themselves and for others, but many of the things they do to stick up for themselves are viewed as stubborn defiance by their baby boomer and Gen X parents and grandparents.
Boomers and Gen X consider these things stubborn defiance, but Gen Z just thinks they're sticking up for themselves
1. Not staying at their job for long
Boomers and Gen X grew up pretty much knowing how they wanted their lives to play out. They would go to college, get a stable job, get married, buy a house, raise a family, and then retire.
This plan is less appealing to younger generations. On average, Gen Z spends 1.1 years at their first job, while millennials stayed at theirs for 1.8 years, and Gen X and boomers stayed about three years. This change is driven less by what they want and more by what they need. The number of entry-level jobs has declined, and Gen Z is just looking to get paid. If they aren’t getting enough money from their current job, they will move on and find another.
2. Breaking toxic workplace traditions
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Gen Z is notable for their commitment to changing toxic workplace traditions. According to Forbes, 88.6% of Gen Z workers say that purpose is “pivotal to their overall well-being and job satisfaction,” as well as to their decision-making process. They also report that 77% of Gen Z say that work-life balance is another key factor.
These important statistics show where Gen Z's priorities lie. They are more interested in finding meaningful work in their ideal environment than they are in making money.
3. Refusing to work overtime
As I mentioned earlier, a lack of work-life balance is a huge deal-breaker for Gen Z, who have a deep need for flexibility at work. If the hours aren’t reasonable, they believe they should be able to say no.
Furthermore, Gen Z places emphasis on prioritizing their mental health, which means they want to clock out the moment the standard workday ends. They have no interest in staying late at the office or taking calls on the weekends in order to make a few more dollars.
4. Refusing to play along with weird family traditions
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For many of us, the holidays aren't as great as our parents or grandparents make them out to be. They mean interacting with family members who we don’t want to see and putting up with weird remarks about our personal lives.
People used to be taught that family is family and you just have to put up with them, but not anymore. Gen Z sets firm boundaries with family members, such as not talking about politics at the dinner table and refusing to feel guilty for simply existing. If their relatives aren’t willing to accept them for who they are, then they don’t need to be there.
5. Changing gender norms
We now live in a society where gender fluidity exists. Although some older people may view it as a trend, this has been an ongoing societal shift that people just wouldn’t allow themselves to see.
Gen Z is no longer putting up with gender binaries and uses the pronouns they feel fit them best. They also are more respectful of other people’s pronouns. Clothes aren’t just for one gender anymore, either, and neither are bathrooms. Although some of this is up for debate, Gen Z is pioneering the movement.
6. Taking up more space in friendships
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Don’t get me wrong. Gen Z is all about friendships. However, their norms around friendships may differ from previous generations. They may not feel the need to respond immediately to texts, and they don't take it personally when their friends don't either.
They're also OK saying no to a hangout instead of forcing themselves to go when they know they won’t have a good time, even if that means having fewer friends.
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
