How many times have we heard the ‘Gen Zs are lazy’ narrative time and time again? In fact, it has spawned other similar expressions, like snowflakes and strawberry generations, which are used to characterise youths as being unmotivated, disengaged, self-centred, and above all else, lazy. This however, raises a question: is all this justified or is this just a gross misjudgment, the kind that often happens across generations?
Getting the receipts
Let’s go back to the beginning to figure out where this stereotype comes from. There’s a well-known phenomenon that may account for this named the “kids these days” effect, which is a belief held by older generations that the younger generations are inferior and often times worse than they were.
You’ve probably heard all this before, Boomers, Gen Y, and sometimes even Millennials going on about how kids these days have it so much better and things are easier than before. So this isn’t new at all, and while it may be annoying, it's also a clear reflection of a simple fact: things change.
Think of it this way, in open world video games, every location looks vastly different and presents a distinctively unique set of problems for the player to overcome. This also means that the resources available to the player and the approach the player takes in level will be different from all the previous places.
Every generation has its own issues and ways of tackling them, and having used the same methods for many years, it's not difficult to see how a different approach may seem foreign or even weird. This is perhaps the most likely explanation for the “kids these days” effect, especially when it comes to Gen Zs, whose lifestyles encompass some distinct elements.
Digital flex
One possible reason why Gen Zs are seen as lazy is the fact that technology is so integral to the way they live. Dubbed “digital natives”, Gen Zs were born with the Internet in their hands, and although technology is now used by almost everyone, being exposed to it from young presents a completely different set of circumstances.
For example, we used to wait by the side of a road, hoping for a taxi to drive past, so we could flag it down for a ride but now, you can book a private hire car from the convenience of your home through an app. Technology like the Internet has put the world in the palm of our hands, and despite its problems, there are plenty of privileges as well.
Being able to get our shopping, our meals, our groceries and more instantly delivered to our doorsteps without much effort is something that people have never been able to do before, and this has shaped Gen Zs into a group who’s reliant on technology in their everyday lives to get things done.
By constantly depending on our devices and connectivity to take care of everything, this can often be misconstrued as being lazy, particularly when it comes to Boomers and Gen Y, who lived through an analog and manual lifestyle. This includes the workplace, where Gen Zs have become reliant on technology like GenAI to help them complete the simplest tasks just for its convenience and efficiency.
Craving that quick fix
Another by-product of having unrestricted access to almost everything is the fact that Gen Zs have been groomed from a young age to expect that their wants and needs are met instantaneously. The Internet and social media in particular has convinced most Gen Zs that immediate fulfilment is a way of life, and this in turn influences the approach they take when it comes to work.
Although the idea of instant gratification is new, its effects are certainly potent, and the reason why is because it changes the mindset and attitudes of many youths. A good example of this is TikTok, where every video is only about a minute long. This format has not only launched the platform to immense popularity, but has also prompted older platforms like YouTube to do the same so that they can mimic their success.
It's no surprise then that the ethos most Gen Zs live by can be summed up to something like “now is not quick enough.” Now, imagine applying this to a professional setting, and you can definitely see how this might be an issue, especially in the early stages of career building. In the past, a lot of time was spent grinding and earning your stripes as a budding professional, but for many new hires this is not good enough.
Potential employees are now asking for higher salaries and more benefits off the bat instead of working for them like their predecessors. This will undoubtedly lead to employers having a poor impression of Gen Zs who are coming out into the workforce, tying their immediate need for rewards to a lack of resilience and laziness to earn them instead.
Levelling up in life (through work)
Let's face it, having a standard nine-to-five job just won’t cut it for many Gen Zs. Citing reasons like the dullness, lack of passion, and even boredom from routine, there is an abundance of youths taking the path less travelled both professionally and personally, with the ultimate goal of achieving happiness and satisfaction.
Gen Zs are all about those good vibes and they aren’t afraid to voice their opinions or make changes if they feel like they aren’t getting the most out of their jobs. A good example would be how some opt to work as freelancers or tap into the power of social media to build a career, others may look for more flexible arrangements like teleworking where they can travel and maintain a stable income at the same time.
Entrepreneurship is also gaining popularity among Gen Zs, who are driven to create a sustainable career through their passion to satisfy their need for purpose in life. While such options may be fulfilling and viable, they are often received with mixed opinions, with some expressing their concern due to its perceived instability and vulnerability to hard times.
While the lack of structure and safety nets may be scary for some, especially older individuals who have chosen to live a “normal” life, for Gen Zs, not living out their passion and dreams is a much scarier prospect.
This could be why many of them strongly oppose a standard nine-to-five job, and conversely, why people who don’t understand their fears view them as lazy just because they aren’t hustling day in and day out.
Is Gen Z truly lazy?
It's easy to dismiss this topic as annoying or irrelevant, and many people have, rather conveniently, chalked it up to problems on either side. The truth is, this isn't the case, and neither side is to blame for this. It's simply just a case of misunderstanding and different circumstances, as with most intergenerational issues.
Back in the day Boomers and Gen Y were predominantly focused on the rat-race, working hard to get ahead during a time when things were more analog. These days however, Gen Zs are poised to face a completely different set of issues.
Dilemmas like the rising costs of living, the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and organisational rightsizing are just some of the main challenges that youths have to contend with. In order to tackle them, the Gen Zs are doing what the previous generations did before them: using whatever resources and knowledge they have and adapting wherever they can.
So it's safe to say that the sweeping statement of Gen Zs being lazy isn’t entirely accurate. While there are always exceptions to this, the majority of the younger generation is willing to work hard in order to create a better life for themselves and contribute positively to society.
