6 Things Gen Z Sees As Problematic That Boomers & Gen X Just Think Are Facts
Truman Rexti | Pexels Every generation thinks they're better than others. Boomers think they know more because they're older, while Gen Z thinks they're more evolved than their older counterparts.
But nobody has it all figured out. So, while there are certain things baby boomers and Gen Xers think of as facts, Gen Z finds them highly problematic.
Boomers and Gen X think these things are facts, but Gen Z sees them as problematic
1. Not talking about personal problems at work
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Boomers and Gen Xers believe personal issues should stay at home and never be brought into the workplace. But over time, Gen Z has changed this.
Gen Z regularly is put down for being the "strawberry generation," meaning they are more sensitive. But they're actually more vulnerable, and older generations don't seem to understand.
Young people also believe that talking about mental health is important. Because they feel so overwhelmed by stress, more than other generations, they want to talk about it. They've normalized discussing things like anxiety or burnout in the office, while boomers and Gen Xers don't quite have the vocabulary for it.
2. Working overtime
Older generations have the belief that success means working hard all the time. According to Pew Research Center, 84% of workers above 50 say they work more when it's expected of them, while only 33% of workers between the ages of 18 and 29 only do what's expected of them.
Gen Z doesn't work overtime. They believe in prioritizing a work-life balance, and not letting themselves get burned out from putting all their effort into their job. However, older generations like Gen X and boomers tend to believe that work equates to success.
3. Making offensive jokes
When boomers and Gen Xers were growing up, things were a lot less politically correct. They could say offensive things without anyone calling them out on it. But now, Gen Z is flipping the script.
Gen Z sees some of the things older generations say as problematic, especially when it's at the expense of marginalized communities. Older generations may see it as friendly banter, but younger people find it unacceptable.
4. Needing to get married and have kids
Many Gen Zers are getting married much later in life or not getting married at all, with only 37% of them seeing marriage as important. Older generations, however, saw marriage as something to be expected.
But with the shift in the economy, it's difficult for young people to imagine raising a family when they're still struggling to meet basic needs. They can barely afford to buy groceries or spend money on things they enjoy.
Boomers and Gen Xers may see marriage and starting a family as a normal fact of life, but the expectation to do those things is very problematic for Gen Zers.
5. Always answering the phone
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While older generations are used to talking on the phone, as it was the only way they could get in contact with others before cell phones, Gen Z has unfortunately developed a fear of doing just that. In fact, 90% of Gen Zers admit they're anxious about speaking on the phone.
For Gen Z, texting is their primary form of communication, and they likely only answer calls when it's an emergency. They believe that a phone call is intrusive, while boomers and Gen Xers don't see the problem with it. For them, it was just part of life.
6. Doing things the way their parents did
Kids should listen to their parents, but many older generations believe that they need to follow in their parents' footsteps. They think they have to overwork themselves or get into situations they don't want to be in because that's "just the way it is."
But Gen Z isn't the kind of generation that does what they're told "just because." They find it problematic that older generations don't want to live for themselves, but for someone else.
They're constantly challenging norms. Whether it's openly discussing their mental health or redefining how they see success, they're forging their own paths forward.
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor's degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
