11 Bad Things Boomers Want To Believe About Gen Z That Actually Aren't True
Kenneth Surillo | Pexels Older generations tend to have a misguided picture of Gen Zers, which is often fueled by disconnection and resentment. They're unable to understand the struggles young people deal with today, and stand by certain stereotypes. But the bad things boomers believe about Gen Zers simply aren't true.
Gen Z is reshaping and changing societal norms, so it's not surprising that they've ruffled some feathers and made older generations quite uncomfortable. But because the world changes, Gen Zers shouldn't be ridiculed for sparking this shift.
Boomers believe these bad things about Gen Z that aren't true
1. They're lazy
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Like any other generation, Gen Zers are prone to stereotypes and societal stigmas that paint their values and perspectives in a negative light. For example, many are faced with suggestions that they're lazy when, actually, there's a much more nuanced picture to address when it comes to their professional lives and financial status.
From dealing with rising costs to prioritizing things like work-life balance, Gen Zers clearly have different priorities and struggles than older generations. It makes it difficult for others to understand and empathize.
It's also incredibly isolating and disorienting to enter adulthood in the years they did. Other generations couldn't ever fathom starting their careers from home or being void of fundamental social interaction early in adulthood.
2. They don't like print media
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While many younger generations view print media like newspapers or magazines as old-school, as they've grown up almost exclusively with phones and social media, experts suggest it's having a resurgence for many Gen Zers and young millennials. Despite what boomers believe about Gen Z, in particular, it's not actually true.
Older generations may think young generations are always seeking the next best thing, but they're really yearning for community and connection in ways that many old-school habits and hobbies can bring.
Over half of Gen Zers even wish that social media didn't exist at all, feeling burdened by the consequences of social isolation and mental health ailments it's sparked across the generation.
3. They don't want to work
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Finding purpose and meaning in their work is a priority for Gen Z. In fact, according to a Deloitte survey, over 86% of them argue that it's one of their top priorities when looking for a job. Alongside work-life balance and creating a healthy workplace culture, Gen Z tends to look much different from their older leaders and peers.
Boomers grew up in a hustle culture where they were taught that sacrifice and hard work were the keys to success. And for many, alongside following traditional routes like higher education and loyalty to an employer, they were.
However, for Gen Zers, who face student debt and overbearing work without adequate pay, that's often not the case. They're not willing to sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of a job that doesn't pay them a livable wage or give them time to invest in their personal lives. It's not that they don't want to work, they simply want to work for a company that doesn't value them.
4. They don't want to talk to anyone
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There's a misconception that Gen Z isn't interested in social interaction or talking to anyone, but considering the tumultuous society they entered adulthood in was far from conventional, it's not entirely surprising that they're not as comfortable in social situations as their older counterparts.
Overuse of social media and technology can have detrimental effects on social skills, especially early in life. Many Gen Zers have crafted communities and a sense of belonging on their phones that they haven't been able to cultivate in-person, though.
So, it's not that they don't want to talk with anyone or are uninterested in having better social interactions, they're simply unsure of how to do so. And they're largely motivated by technology that sparks important feelings of belonging in their routines.
5. They're bad at critical thinking
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While there are certainly a number of personal and environmental factors that affect Gen Z's success and integration into traditional institutions like the workplace, boomers tend to have misconceptions about their skills and mentality. They believe Gen Zers lack critical thinking and problem-solving skills by choice, but that's just not true.
Of course, growing up around standardization in the classroom and technology, all of this has affected these skills in many Gen Zers. But it's not a collective generational trait that's sparked by their disinterest or laziness, it's a product of their environment.
6. They believe all differing opinions are wrong
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We're living in a time where there's a lot of overlap between our values and experiences, so there's resentment across generational lines. There are ways to confront that resentment and work toward addressing the tension, but it starts with dismantling the stereotypes we've associated with one another.
Similar to the rigid and old-school nature that young people misguidedly place on their parents and grandparents, there are many things boomers say about Gen Z that aren't true. They believe Gen Z is entitled and unwilling to have conversations with people who have different ideals than them.
But Gen Z lives by their values to the same degree as other generations. And considering they're much different, they can feel unwieldy and even offensive at times. Yet, they don't have debates or converse with people with other mindsets because they don't feel heard or respected in return.
7. They're only social activists online
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Boomers tend to believe that Gen Zers are superficial activists, only sharing news on their Instagram stories and talking about their beliefs without making any actionable change. But that's not true at all.
According to Pew Research Center, a lot of Gen Zers do use social media to spread awareness around social issues like voting and climate change, but the majority aren't exclusively advocating online. In fact, Gen Z is not only posting more, but talking and doing more to advocate for their beliefs than any other generation.
8. They don't know how the world works
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Considering they navigate the world much differently from their parents and grandparents, there are often many things boomers believe about Gen Z's ability to understand"the world as it is.
But their inability to fall in line with traditional expectations and quietly adopt the societal constructs of previous generations doesn't mean they're ignorant about how they work. Actually, many just prefer to carve their own path into the future that can help them to uplift and empower their new values.
They may not understand how the world used to work for older generations or the experiences that boomers had growing up, but that doesn't mean Gen Zers are ignorant to society and even the professional workplace.
9. They don't strive to be leaders
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While it is true that many Gen Zers aren't interested in climbing the corporate ladder, that doesn't mean they're not interested in being leaders. They're not blindly loyal to employers that don't advocate for their needs or help them to achieve their goals. But when they do find a comfortable fit, they're willing to do the work.
Many Gen Z workers are willing to compromise on pay for the sake of finding a job that sparks meaning in their lives. So, no, Gen Zers may not be willing to sacrifice and compromise their work-life balance for the sake of becoming a manager at a company that doesn't appreciate or respect them, but in the right job, they're more than willing.
10. They don't respect their elders
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There are certainly etiquette expectations and old-school tendencies that Gen Z doesn't care to uphold in their lives. But the reasons why go much deeper than a misguided sense of entitlement or greed. Many Gen Zers value intention and emotional intelligence, and know how to set boundaries and expect respect in their relationships.
If they don't feel respected or heard by the elders in their life, they won't offer them respect simply to uphold a societal expectation. Respect is a two-way street, and no matter how misguided it may sound on paper, they won't respect their elders at the expense of their own well-being.
11. They don't want to have kids
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According to a report from MassMutual, nearly one-quarter of Gen Zers don't want to have children. It's not just because they have different family expectations and values, but because they can't afford it. Coupled with political fears and societal changes, many Gen Zers don't have the income to even consider having a child, much less make an investment like buying a home or affording health insurance.
Many child-free Gen Zers report being happier without kids, but even boomers tend to think they're choosing to avoid starting a family, it's false. They really just don't want to be forced to imagine their future without kids out of financial necessity.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
