Generation Guide: Gen Z

Generation Z is made up of 68 million people in the United States and is a smaller group when compared to other generational cohorts such as the larger Baby Boomers and the Millennial Generation.

What is Gen Z?

Gen Z is the generation after Millennials and their parents come from Gen X. Gen Z was born between 1997–2012 and is known as the most diverse generation in human history. Generation Z is often called digital natives because they are the first generation that grew up entirely on the internet and social media. Many Gen Zers also grew up with a smartphone. Compared to other generations, Gen Z formed their worldview and friendships with the influence of the internet and social media.
Generation Z is made up of 68 million people in the United States and is a smaller group when compared to other generational cohorts such as the larger Baby Boomers and the Millennial Generation.

Gen Z Definition

Gen Z’s media consumption habits are a defining factor of this. They have grown up in a world where smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous and have become their preferred method of communication. Gen Zers spend an average of 3 hours a day on their mobile devices and have a natural fluency with technology that previous generations may not possess. This has also extended to their banking habits, where they prioritize debit cards and mobile banking as a way to manage their finances.

Gen Z has grown up in a world that has been shaped by events such as smartphones, social media, continuous war, and the financial struggles of their parents. As a result, they are adopting a more fiscally conservative approach to their finances, wanting to avoid debt and seeking out accounts or services that can help them achieve this goal. In addition, they have a strong appetite for financial education and are opening savings accounts at a younger age than prior generations, indicating a desire to take control of their financial future.

What Is the Generation Z Age Range?

Gen Z members are between 11 and 27 years old as of 2023.

What are Gen Z’s Characteristics?

Gen Z is considered the most diverse generation and the most technologically savvy generation when compared with older generations. Gen Z’s values include authenticity, inclusivity, and social justice. They are independent thinkers who prioritize work-life balance and seek flexible career options. They are also concerned about environmental sustainability and mental health. Gen Zers are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, often using social media to express themselves. They are the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, shaping their worldview and interactions with others.

Historical Events that Shaped Gen Z

• The Great Recession of 2008
• The election of the first black President, Barack Obama, in 2008 made this diverse generation believe that people from any background could hold the highest office
• The rise of social media and the internet as a dominant force in everyday life
• The legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015
• The #MeToo movement and increased awareness of sexual harassment and assault
• The ongoing climate crisis and student-led activism for environmental change
• The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on daily life and global society
• Most of Gen Z weren’t born when the 9–11 Attack happened in 2001, however the eldest Gen Z members known as Zillennials were children when it happened.

Gen Z Vs Millennials

Both Gen Z and Millennials grew up with a heavy influence of digital technology, the internet and social media. Gen Z has been more influenced by social media in particular as they are the first generation to grow up with social media for their entire lives. Millennials were involved with inventing and advancing social media platforms in their teen years and early adulthood.

Millennials are known for their willingness to collaborate in teams to share responsibility in work projects. Gen Z tend to aspire to be entrepreneurs who are freelancers or remote workers who work on more often on solo projects. This doesn’t mean that all from the Millennial generation or Generation Z fit these tendencies, however studies suggest that this is an emerging trend between adjacent generations.

Both Gen Z and Millennials grew up know about the threat of Climate Change. However Gen Z has experienced the current climate crisis in its escalated state their entire lives which is why they report suffering more from climate anxiety.

Gen Z and Millennials both grew up with streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, which they both prefer over television. They are the main reason for the decline in cable television viewership. These younger generations are also more likely to get their news from social media and YouTube new media channels than traditional media preferred by the prior generations.

Gen Z Vs Gen X

Gen X are predominantly the parents of Gen Z. Gen X grew up with analog technology such as cassette tapes, vinyl records, and VCR tapes that needed to be rewound or manually operated. Another example of analog tech would be classical clocks and watched with hands on the numbered face of a clock. Eventually, these analog technologies were replaces by digital technology like CD’s and DVD’s as they entered into their teens or adulthood. In contrast, Gen Z grew up with iPods, iPads, digital smartphones and digital computers with high speed internet connection.

Gen X grew up with physical yearbooks with their portraits while Gen Z grew up with Facebook which was originally modeled as a digital yearbook. While Gen X had to adapt to radically changing technology, Gen Z grew up with high tech devices and high speed internet which taught them to adapt to emerging software and online trends.

Generation X Y Z — Why are Generations names after letters?

The oldest Baby Boomers gave birth to Gen X which was labeled “X” as children because they were an unknown entity. The name stuck as this generation proved to be very independent due to the fact that both of their parents worked long hours and they came home to an empty house.

The generation after Gen X was initially labeled Generation Y or Gen Y out of a lack of imagination by the older generations. Since Generation Y were the first to enter adulthood at the turn of the new millennium in 2000, they were dubbed as the Millennial generation.

The older generations continued the tradition of labeling the younger generations alphabetically go the generation after Millennials were named Generation Z. Other names like iGen were pitched, but Gen Z is the name that is most commonly used to describe the most diverse generation in human history.

Generation Alpha has been temporarily named using the Greek alphabet to prevent repeating Generation X Y Z in the future. It’s possible that Generation Alpha will take on another name as did Generation Y when they became know as Millennials. It’s also possible that Generation Z may rename themselves when they become middle aged. But for now, younger generations will be named by letters first until another name emerges.

Who is Generation Alpha?

Generation Alpha is the current youngest generation made up of children born starting 2013 and has yet to be defined by a generational cutoff. Gen Alpha is the new generation made up of children 10 years old and younger as of 2023. This generational cohort has yet to enter adulthood, so we are still discovering the characteristics of these young people.

What are Zillennials?

Zillennials, also called Zennials, are a micro-generation of individuals born between the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2010s, bridging the gap between Millennials and Generation Z. Zillennial characteristics include:

• They share characteristics of both generations, such as being tech-savvy and entrepreneurial, while also valuing authenticity and social justice issues.
• Zillennials were children when the 9–11 Attack happened in NYC where most of Gen Z weren’t born during the first rise of terrorism.
• They grew up during a time of rapid technological advancement and globalization, which has influenced their worldview and attitudes towards work and life.
• Zillennials are also known for their desire for work-life balance, seeking meaningful connections, and prioritizing mental health and wellness.

Technology

Millennials are considered digital natives since they grew up with the development of the internet, social media, and mobile devices. Some Millennials also designed new social media networks such as FaceBook. Gen Z, on the other hand, grew up in a world with increasingly sophisticated technology. Given that they were raised with cellphones, constant connectivity, and an even stronger integration of technology into their daily life, they are frequently referred to as “digital natives on steroids.” Gen Z learned to adapt to a rapidly evolving digital landscape during the rise of new social media platforms, new media news sources, and peak competition of YouTube channels.

Diversity

In terms of race, culture, and identity, Gen Z is regarded as being the most varied generation. They were raised during a period of rapid advancement in the discussion of inclusivity, representation, and acceptance of many backgrounds and orientations. Although Gen Z tends to place an even greater emphasis on social justice and equality than Millennials do, they both cherish diversity

Political Engagement

Millennials have been classified as politically active, frequently speaking out in favor of issues they support including social justice, gender equality, and environmental issues. This generation, known as Gen Z, has been actively involved in a number of social and political campaigns, including those for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and gun control. They have a reputation for being activists, and they are more likely to use social media to voice their ideas and make a difference.

Communication Style

Due to their exposure to digital communication platforms from an early age, Gen Z tends to have a preference for instant messaging, short-form content, and visual communication (emojis, GIFs, and memes). Millennials, while also proficient in digital communication, may exhibit a slightly different style with a preference for email, longer-form content, and a more formal tone.

Education/Career Outlook

Millennials faced the effects of the 2008 financial crisis while coming of age during a time of economic abundance. They struggled to obtain permanent jobs and frequently pursued further education to improve their career prospects. Gen Z, on the other hand, is a generation that has grown up in a post-recession society and is aware of how the nature of employment has changed. They may place more importance on alternative career routes like freelancing or founding their own firms, are more entrepreneurial, and value practical skills.

What Generation is After Gen Z?

• Generation Alpha is the generation after Gen Z.
• Gen Alpha was born starting 2013 and beyond
• The name of Generation Alpha is expected to change as generational labels and definitions can vary and evolve over time.

Generation Z in the Workplace

Gen Z is making a significant impact on the job market with their unique work preferences and characteristics. This entrepreneurial generation exhibits a strong inclination towards remote and freelance work, as highlighted by recent studies. Gen Z employees are drawn to the flexibility and autonomy offered by remote work, enabling them to achieve a better work-life balance and harness their creativity.

Studies have also revealed that Gen Z excels in independent work settings, showcasing their ability to take initiative and solve problems on their own. They thrive when given the freedom to manage their tasks and time, leading to increased productivity and innovative outcomes.

As the job market evolves to accommodate changing work dynamics, many Gen Zers are seeking opportunities that align with their remote work preferences and desire for freelancing. This shift in work patterns has driven companies to adopt more flexible and remote-friendly policies to attract and retain young talent.
Gen Z’s entry into the workplace has brought about a transformative change, emphasizing the need for adaptable work environments that cater to their entrepreneurial spirit and remote work aspirations.

• Top 10 Famous Gen Z’ers
• Billie Eilish — Singer and songwriter
• Zendaya — Actress and singer
• Emma Chamberlain — YouTuber and social media influencer
• Halle Bailey — Singer, songwriter, actress
• Malala Yousafzai — Activist and Nobel Prize winner
• Greta Thunberg — Environmental activist
• Amanada Gorman — American poet and activist
• Ice Spice — Rapper
• Emma Chamberlain — YouTuber and social media influencer
• Timothee Chalamet — Actor and model.

Are you a Gen Z or a Millennial?

Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, whereas Generation Z was born between 1995 and 2012. The eldest Millennials reached the age of 40 in 2019, indicating that they had been a part of adult life for some time. The oldest members of Gen Z are already in their late 20s, and the majority are still in their teens or younger. This generation is now developing into young adults.