Gen Z Has 10 Everyday Stressors That Older Generations Didn't Have To Face Until Way Later In Life
Los Muertos Crew | Pexels Gen Zers are seemingly drowning under unsustainable levels of stress, often because of struggles and experiences most people didn't realize they were facing. There are so many misunderstandings and points of tension between older and younger generations that the actual difficulties each deal with are lost in translation.
There are myths and plenty of stereotypes people hold against Gen Zers, but the reality of their lifestyle feels personal. For example, many of the things older generations didn't have to face until way later in life are everyday stressors for Gen Z today.
Everyday Gen Z stressors that older generations didn't have to face until later in life
1. Professional burnout
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With early stress from constant extracurricular activities in school, many Gen Zers felt twinges of burnout before even going to college or starting their first job. Entry-level jobs aren't compensating workers enough to survive without support, so getting experience to move up the corporate ladder feels impossible.
It's not a lack of motivation or effort, despite what older generations seem to think. Rather, it's expectations for young workers that are consistently exceeding the benefits and support they're being offered.
They're working multiple jobs just to survive, and it's not surprising that all of that pressure and stress is bringing young people closer to burnout early in their careers.
2. Housing costs
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For older generations, stress around saving for and affording a living space came with home ownership later in life. They had to sacrifice or pivot their career to afford a mortgage, but most didn't have to worry about having a place to live.
Even with a basic income, they could rent a place without question. But for many Gen Zers today who are facing rising rent costs and inflation, they're already feeling overloaded by financial stress just to rent.
And with student loan debt and basic necessities becoming more unaffordable, there's a reason why young people have to move back in with their parents or ask for financial support.
3. Anxiety about technology
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Gen Xers and boomers didn't have to worry much about learning new technology or consider how it'd have an impact on their careers until later when they were already established. With the rapid growth of AI tools and devices, Gen Zers are being thrust into a state of uncertainty.
With entry-level jobs being ultra-competitive and underwhelming to support a basic lifestyle, there's a new level of stress about how even fewer of these jobs will harm their generation. On top of that, they're being pressured to learn and adapt to a form of technology that contrasts with their strong sustainability values.
4. Asking their family for financial support
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Many older generations didn't have to ask for financial help from parents until they were getting married or investing in big milestones like a down payment on a house. Now, many young people are still living at home and asking for support with necessities like groceries in the face of stagnant wages and rising costs.
Instead of being able to use their parents and families as a source of support to invest in their lives, they're simply a necessity to get by. It's not surprising that there's a lack of hope and motivation for young people when most are living in survival mode, despite working multiple jobs and getting a degree.
5. Social comparison
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Later in life, when older generations were introduced to social media or developed communities with other middle-aged people, they faced social comparison. But it tends to manifest and affect people a lot differently when they're navigating adulthood for the first time.
Before they have a chance to develop their sense of self, they're thrust into an arena with millions of people. They're collectively struggling with a feeling of being behind, because they see highlight reels and success without any of the real-life struggles or vulnerabilities their peers are facing.
Older generations had the space to figure out who they were when starting their careers and adult lives before the internet came around. Gen Z has spent most of their lives online, feeling behind before they even had a chance to start.
6. Feeling guilty for spending money
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Many older generations look back on early adulthood and their 20s with nostalgia because of the freedom it offered. They weren't yet saving for big investments or seeking after big financial milestones, so they could spend money on whatever they wanted.
Gen Zers, despite not believing in or having the means to plan for big investments in the future, still feel stuck. There's guilt for spending on micro-experiences and daily luxuries, but there's also a deep sense of isolation when they don't.
It feels like no matter what choices they make financially, they've done something wrong, especially in the current economic climate.
7. Feeling the need to be available all the time
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Many Gen Xers and boomers didn't feel the pressure to be available for others all the time until later in life.
When they got married and settled down, they were expected to be around for a partner or a family. When they climbed the corporate ladder, they had more responsibilities at work, sometimes even out of working hours.
But today, Gen Zers, who have grown up with digital accessibility and a pressure to prove themselves, already feel this strain. Yes, they're adamant about protecting their work-life boundaries, but they don't think they can financially survive unless they're available 24/7.
8. Networking
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Nearly 50% of today's workers name "connections" as the reason why they landed a job. For young people already struggling with competition in the workforce, there's a pressure to be networking and making connections, before even graduating from college.
They feel immense pressure to do internships and get work experiences earlier and earlier in life, because traditional job application processes aren't cutting it. Older generations could follow traditional paths to success in the workforce, delaying the need to network until later in their careers, but for Gen Zers, it's somewhat of a necessity.
9. Feeling lonely
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For Gen X and boomers, loneliness wasn't a defining part of early adulthood. In fact, some never even learned to face loneliness until they started aging and dealing with all kinds of nuanced life changes and family shifts.
Young Gen Zers are experiencing a loneliness epidemic, stemming from social media and new challenges. Despite being in what they were promised was going to be the most exciting time of their lives, they feel more alone than ever.
10. Pressure to monetize everything
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Older generations brought in second incomes and sacrificed as a means to a larger investment, whether that was buying a home or funding a college education. But Gen Zers are already being pressured to monetize their free time with second jobs and side hustles, all to survive.
The free time they're trying so desperately to protect with new work-life balance expectations is slowly being overtaken by a larger need to pay bills and keep a roof over their heads.
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.
