Zooming in on Gen Z
Chatting over a creamy latte and almond biscotti, a friend mentioned how difficult it was to have a random conversation with her daughter. It surprised me because Zarine is one of the calmest, most collected, even-tempered and kind people that I have known for over 30 years. Now why would she have a problem talking to her daughter, I wondered. "We’re a different generation altogether," says baby boomer Zarine. "I feel with my millennials kids, I have to be careful with my words now that they’re in they’re in their early and mid 30s. I can’t state my opinions as openly as I used to (when they were younger) for fear of being judged and being told off. I sometimes think my points of view don’t matter, they are tolerated … just that! Talking to my Gen Z nieces who are younger is even more difficult. Apparently, I have traumatised them as children, and I had no clue.”
“Really? How did that happen?” I asked her, genuinely curious because Zarine would not kill a rattlesnake, she would reason with it! But it did resonate with my difficulties in connecting with my millennial daughter, because we eventually land on the same page after much debate and argument.
“Well, when my niece was a kid, I pointed out some dirt in her nail,” she replied.
Comparing herself to her parents' generation, she feels her generation was and is still more obedient. "Our kids don’t have to ask; they just inform," says Zarine. "But I also feel I learn a lot from them. I feel they are more intelligent and wise (and perhaps they think so too). They are adults and that’s how they want to be treated! We dare not tell our parents we’re 60 and adults. We just stay silent!"
The inevitable generational gap was glaring at us — we being baby boomers, the daughter being a millennial and the nieces being Gen Z.
Let’s get over with introductions first:
Lost Generation: Born 1883 to 1900
Greatest Generation: Born 1901 to 1927
Silent Generation: Born 1928 to 1945.
Baby Boomer Generation: Born 1946 to 1964
Generation X: Born 1965 to 1980
Millennial Generation: Born 1981 to 1996
Generation Z: Born 1997 to 2012
Generation Alpha: Born 2013 to present
Why the generational divide?
Generational grouping gives social scientists and researchers a tool to analyse changes in views over time. They can provide a way to understand how different formative experiences such as world events and technological, economic and social shifts) interact with the life-cycle and aging process to shape people’s views of the world. While younger and older adults may differ in their views at a given moment, generational units allow researchers to examine how today’s older adults felt about a given issue when they themselves were young, as well as to describe how the trail of views might differ across generations.
The names are born out of specific major-scale events that often shape the outlook of a generation. The Lost Generation, for example, is named for the malaise and disillusionment experienced by people who lived through World War I. Later, the Greatest Generation was named for the heroic sacrifices made during World War II. Their children, born soon after the war ended, are called baby boomers; their outlook, in turn, was coloured by Partition or the Vietnam War, and the swinging 1960s. More recently, millennials’ worldviews have been shaped by 9/11 attacks and the propagation of the internet.
We often hear people say that “kids today” are so different from their predecessors. Young adults have always faced a different environment than their parents, and it’s common for their elders to express some degree of concern or alarm. [“Why is her hair dyed pink?”]
As a baby boomer, I am not overly comfortable in dealing with anyone beyond Gen X, because we seem to have a different viewpoints and lingo and even if I would be ready to iron out the differences, I’m not sure they are same. As the oldest millennials turn 38 this year, and we were tjust getting round to learning their language [fam, for sure, extra [we used drama], bae [no, it’s not something similar to baby, it’s an acronym for Before Anyone Else], low-key, savage and woke], Gen Z sprung on us with their own set of shenanigans… oops I meant personalities! They’re sensitive people and one wouldn’t want to ‘traumatise/attack’ them.
"However, all is not negative," Zarine adds. "My kids (when compared to Gen Z) are also the last of the lot in giving respect to their parents. I think for me respect is very important. Ofcourse, the love between parents and kids is a given in all this. While in many ways we are a judgmental generation when it comes to colour, race, sexual orientation and many of us also wear religion on our sleeve. Millennials and Gen Z are much more mature, more tolerant and less hypocrite. I admire that a lot in them. And … I love interacting with my Gen Z nieces, because they give me newer perspectives, of looking at anything from another angle. I’m so impressed with how tech-Savvy they are."
What studies show?
According to a report by the Pew Research Centre, the oldest among this rising generation are just turning 22 this year, and most are still in their teens or younger. There was some hesitation in deciding a name for them. Post-Millenials? The iGeneration or Homelanders? Finally, Gen Z took hold in popular culture and journalism.
The baby boomers grew up as television grew dramatically, changing their lifestyles and connection to the world through TV, while the Generation X followed growing up as the computer revolution began. Later, the Millennials came of age during the internet explosion. Uniquely, for Gen Z, all of the above have been part of their lives from the start , the launch of iPhone, and web connection through mobile devices, WiFi and high-bandwidth cellular service, and have been through a lot already in their short lives. They are racially and ethnically diverse as so much immigration has happened across the world for various reasons.
According to research by McKinsey & Company, Gen Z , speaking generally are digital natives who turn to the internet for any kind of information. These extremely online people work, shop, date and make friends online. In Asia, Gen Z spend six or more hours per day on their phones but they aren’t aimlessly scrolling — they’re making connections, chatting with friends, and imbibing new info.
The pandemic of course is the main reason that created their huge online footprint. Tech helps them do simple tasks much easier. If you’re planning on hiring this generation, be prepared to update your tech to match their skill sets, as they are sure to teach you a thing or two about the latest tech.
Baby boomers had their thing with departmental stores [Woolworths, M&S, Sanaullah and Cargills], but Gen Z loves their online ecosystem, and thrive in it, having grown up with social media. Compared to previous generations, they are savvier in finding their way online. TikTok currently rules trends, feelings, and culture for Gen Zers, who make up 60 percent of the app’s one billion-plus users. Even as voracious consumers of media online, they prefer anonymity, personalised feeds, and a smaller online presence.
Idealists and socially progressive dreamers, Gen Zers believe in doing their part to help stop the intensification of climate change and to establish greater equity for all. "We're tired of empty promises and empty words,” says Leila Sultan, a 24 year old entrepreneur who sells jewelry on Instagram. “We need action, not just talk. We want a future where everyone has a fair chance to succeed, regardless of their background. We're passionate about making a positive impact on the world, and we won't settle for anything less."
Being pragmatic, they understand not only the value of direct communication, authenticity and relevance, as well as self-care. Since they are used to finding their own way about just about anything, they question rules and authority more than prior generations.
Many of them dream of owning their own home and a reliable car. They understand that these purchases can be expensive, so they prioritise saving rather than taking on high-interest loans or maxing their plastic currency. They might not look at traditional news sources nor are addicted to TV talk shows like prior generations, they know a lot about politics and legislation and are passionate about human rights, climate change, and racial justice, and openly voice their concerns. For Gen Z, the keyboard is mightier than the sword!
"We're not waiting for opportunities to come knocking,” says Sara Khan, 26, who bakes for a living. “We're creating our own. From online businesses to creative projects, Gen Z is taking charge of our own futures."
Conversely, a study shows that depression and suicide rates in teen girls have increased by 150% in the last 10 years. Dark humour is popular with Gen Z, and many of them say it helps them deal with trauma and stressful situations.
Interestingly, a TikTok clip where a Chicago-based entrepreneur shares some examples of Gen Zers signing off their internal communication emails, has been viewed 14.4 million times, and may help you understand Gen Z better.
"Apologies for existing :')" is one example, “Talk soon, loser,” is another and “Hasta la pasta”!
They don’t like stiff corporate jargon and pleasantries, so “Sincerely” might not work for them. Morale is highest when they’re convinced the company they work for is doing the right thing behind closed doors day in and day out. They will not pretend that they are thrilled to work on the weekend.
Talk like Gen Z
The International Centre for Language studies reveals the 10 most used words by Gen Z:
1. Busted: This doesn't mean something is broken anymore. It means you've been caught doing something wrong.
2. Shook: Deep shock, disbelief, or utter amazement.
3. Extra: Being over-the-top.
4. Salty: Someone feeling upset, jealous, or annoyed.
5. Lowkey/Highkey: How you feel about something.
6. No Cap/Cap: Truthfulness/ lying, for instance "The new book store is the bomb. No cap!"
7. Yeet: A random exclamation of excitement.
8. Sus: Short for "suspicious," meaning fishy or untrustworthy.
9. Fire: Awesome, cool, or impressive.
10. Big Yikes: Cringe, awkwardness or disapproval.
What’s next?
Munching on a Mr Beast chocolate bar, an 8-year-old coding whiz non-chalantly declares that I was pretty “sus” [suspicious] because [until then] I hadn’t heard of the brand [created by American YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, better known as Mr Beast]. Also shares that his mum thinks his teeth will go skibidi [bad] if he doesn’t cut eating chocolates!
Meet Generation Alpha [born between 2010 and 2024], waiting just round the corner to push back Gen Z. These nine- through twelve-year-old kids are consuming, and even creating, content more appropriate for sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds, and partaking in trends that are dangerous for them long-term. Social scientists believe that Gen Alpha are the most materially endowed and tech savvy generation ever, who will enjoy a longer life span than any previous generation. While Generation Z is still making waves, Generation Alpha is already on the horizon, ready to redefine the world. Buckle up, older generations, because the future is coming at you faster than you can say "TikTok."