The Topsy-Turvy Instance of Gen-Z

Samreen Hamdani

In the vast tapestry of historiography, ancestral antecedents are marked by staunch ethos and dedication, navigating intricate life paradigms while zealously seeking both individual and familial sustenance.
Identifying some unique features of each generation some witty nomenclatures have been allocated. The Silent Generation (1928–1945), has been termed so by Time magazine in 1951 for their perceived caution, grappled with the Great Depression and World War I. The Baby Boomers (1946–1964), named for the post-World War II birth-rate surge in 1946, underwent vast socio-political shifts, spearheading pivotal civil rights and independent reforms. Generation X (1965–1988), acknowledged by author William Strauss in the 1991 cultural prominence of “X”, symbolising an indeterminate generation, faced economic disparities and the AIDS epidemic. Gen Y or The Millennials (1981–1996), named for being the subsequent letter in the naming sequence, influenced by preceding generational endeavours, approached the world with ambition and innovation. While each faced distinct hardships, they showcased remarkable resilience throughout, building commendable mental fortitude in the process.
Compared to previous generations, Generation Z, the ones born between 1997 and 2012 and now aged 11–26, navigated a world transformed by technology and elevated human rights, yielding a more facile, gratifying, and rewarding world than preceding generations. Generation Z stands distinctively in the global landscape, demonstrating unparalleled financial acumen, technological proficiency, and influential purchasing power. Recent data underscores them as the youngest generation to enter the workforce and the most tech-savvy segment. Fidelity Investments reported a remarkable 34% annual growth in their average portfolio balance. Bloomberg highlighted Gen Z’s immense influence, citing that they control $360 billion in disposable income, exemplifying their financial awareness. Further attesting to their influence, 93% of parents acknowledge their Gen Z children’s impact on household buying decisions.
Quite contrarily, this era has marked increased depression, anxiety, and OCD concerns. Alarmingly, Pew Research Centre, a nonpartisan fact tank analysing global issues, trends, and public opinion through data-driven research, highlights that 70% of Gen-Z face depression and anxiety. It is believed to be driven by an intensified materialistic society where they juggle materialism with seeking authentic identity in a digital realm, rife with comparisons, striving for symbols of success like luxuries and assets, while others lament the waning of core values like compassion and love.
According to the American Psychological Association (2021), only 45% of Gen-Z rate their mental health positively, contrasting with 56% of Millennials, 51% of Gen-X, and 70% of Baby Boomers. It’s a call to question, despite tech and societal advances, Gen-Z faces emotional, financial challenges. Diverse factors may contribute to this. Generation Z, the first digital natives, struggle with finding life’s purpose potentially attributable to digital overload. Virtually instant access to plethora of information has increased uncertainty and complexity in finding right direction. Raised in an era dominated by the internet, it’s estimated that 54% of Gen-Z individuals spend an average of four hours online daily, with 38% surpassing this. This continual digital engagement exposes them to a myriad of viewpoints, fostering a nihilistic perspective in many as they struggle to figure out reality’s intrinsic meaning. This philosophical concept of Nihilism, initially introduced by Friedrich Henrich Jacobi, posits that life lacks inherent meaning, rendering religious and moral principles void.
Digital immersion among Gen-Z also correlates with reduced religious affiliations, with about 18% identifying as atheists or agnostics. Agnosticism, an orientation of ambiguity towards the existence of God, contrasts with atheism, which denies such an existence. Religious beliefs traditionally provide a moral compass, and conjecturally, their decline might intensify a deeper sense of desolation, existential void, and purposelessness compared to believers.
Moreover, the rise in depression and anxiety is negatively consequential to overlook. Recent global surveys highlight that approximately 18% of high school students, equating to one in five, have reported experiencing suicidal ideation. Moreover, 8.9% of the Gen-Z cohort have executed suicidal acts, with 2.5% requiring medical intervention. Societal expectations and competition further amplify mental strain. Escalating academic competition has intensified stress and anxiety, evident in stringent entrance exams and lower qualification rates. On average, 1.5 lakhs out of 20 lakhs manage to qualify for competitive exams each year. The prevailing societal perspective that prioritises high-profile jobs and lucrative salaries adds to the pressure. These societal benchmarks and the fear of failure further escalate mental health challenges.
Encounters with perfect online personas magnify the gap between virtual ideals and real-life experiences. This constant comparison erodes their self-esteem, fostering persistent self-doubt and obstructing true self-fulfilment. While strides in feminism and anti-racism shine, challenges like substance abuse pose new threats to this generation’s health and potential.
Today’s digital surge, meant for connection, ironically deepens isolation compared to previous generations’ outdoor social bonds. On anecdotal evidence, Gen-Z individuals claim, “While prior generations sought refuge indoors to relax and escape the chaotic outside world, the current generation actively seeks outdoor activities as an escape from the overwhelming digital realm. It has definitely made life easier yet it’s overuse has impaired our cognitive thinking and holistic well-being”. Scholars theorize that their reduced exposure to real-world conflicts might impede their problem-solving abilities, possibly making them more susceptible to external challenges. Their continuous screen engagement impacts essential aspects of their life, like sleep, eating habits, ultimately affecting cognitive abilities and general well-being.
A major segment of Generation Z conveys unattributed melancholy, as one remarks, “We are sad, but we don’t know why we are sad”, highlighting profound emotional complexities. When asked to rate their happiness, some Gen Z individuals expressed uncertainty, deep sadness, and confusion about attaining joy. Additionally, they intimated that they set high expectations for acquaintances, only to feel betrayed and shunned, intensifying their emotional distress and leading to depression. However, a silver lining is Gen-Z’s heightened awareness of mental health issues and their willingness to seek professional help. Approximately 18% annually pursue mental health treatments, demonstrating the growing prevalence of such issues within this age bracket.
Financial challenges haven’t spared this generation either. Despite their noteworthy digital and technological prowess, economic instability, intensified by global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, poses substantial challenges. Professionally, Gen Z showcases a relentless drive for self-improvement and autonomy. The gig economy has seen substantial growth, with 43% of US Gen-Z engaging in this sector, while India anticipates 90 million gig workers by 2030. Their inclination towards the gig economy, with nearly half participating, indicates their desire for independent work environments. Yet, it also presents a dichotomy: while remote roles offer flexibility, they often lack the inherent stability of traditional jobs. Amidst AI’s rise, Gen-Z faces employment hurdles. While tech advances prioritise soft skills, many Gen-Zers miss out on essentials like negotiation, networking, and public speaking. Surveys highlight that a striking 50% of Gen-Z respondents expressed their inability to establish families or pursue homeownership owing to their financial constraints. Such findings suggest that a significant portion of Generation Z may find difficulty attaining a sense of security.
Generation Z, being technologically adept to date, has the potential to elevate global living standards through innovation. Their activism, creativity, and collaboration can drive societal change. However, realising this potential requires lifestyle and behavioural changes. Moreover, the onus falls on preceding generations, particularly Gen-X and Gen-Y, to pass on their accumulated wisdom and insights, ensuring Gen-Z is prepared to shape an auspicious future.
Drawing matters to a close, might we consider that in an age characterised by swift technological innovations and shifting societal expectations, is Generation Z uniquely positioned at the crossroads, struggling to bridge the divide between digital potential and humanistic fulfilment? It is imperative to recognise that, if channelled effectively, their energy, innovation, and creative approaches can provide solutions to the myriad socioeconomic challenges they encounter.

Author Samreen Hamdani is student of IUST Awantipora.