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Gen Z often gets a bad reputation, as many people worry about their preparedness for the workplace and their generation’s mental health crisis. While every generation has their own unique struggles, there are some truly wonderful things about young people in this generation. As a millennial with the pleasure of working with young people in Gen Z every day, there are many unique attributes I have come to appreciate about this generation. In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s my list of the top 5 things I love about Gen Z.
This generation values authenticity and honesty above all else. They grew up during a revolution of technology, coming of age in a time where the Internet was full of misinformation, Deep Fakes, and now, AI-generated content. For this reason, this generation values things that are true and authentic in a way that previous generations do not fully appreciate. This value of authenticity leads to a generation of young people who say what they mean and respect others who do the same. They have a strong desire for real, authentic experiences and really believe in the value of truth. This generation’s value of authenticity gives me hope for the direction our culture is headed in the future.
Some older folks might disagree with this assessment, but I believe that Generation Z is the most empathetic and emotionally intelligent generation yet. We have to give grace to the fact that this generation is still young, meaning they still act impulsively and center themselves around their decisions, as is developmentally appropriate. However, this generation is more in tune with their own feelings and how other people feel than any generation before them. They grew up in a time where people actually talked about their feelings and the importance of mental health. They understand and appreciate the value of experiencing and understanding their feelings. They think about how others would feel in different situations and act accordingly. Today’s teenagers are far more empathetic and concerned with others than teenagers of previous generations, and, when their prefrontal cortexes are fully developed, they will be an extremely compassionate generation of adults.
Young people in Gen Z have a revolutionary spirit and an intense desire for a better world that is truly inspiring. It’s easy to get caught up in some of the angsty rhetoric that is normal for all teens and believe that Gen Z is full of pessimists. However, anyone who has spent real time with this generation will tell you that they not only believe a better world is necessary, but they see it as highly possible. This generation deeply understands and feels the world’s problems, and they want to do something about it. While they might still be learning how to best mobilize and act, this generation's desire for a better world makes it clear that our world will be a better place in 20 years.
Most Millennials who have spent a lot of time with Gen Z folks will tell you that the main difference between the two generations is that Millennials are people pleasers and Gen Z folks are much more confident. I truly admire the way that young people in Gen Z value their time, appreciate their self-worth, and stand up for themselves. They are strong-minded and confident and it will help them become great leaders and great humans as they make their way into the adult world.
It’s hard to shock someone in Gen Z. They’ve heard it all and they’ve considered it all. Something I truly appreciate about this generation is that they are willing to entertain, and truly consider any idea that is presented to them. Nothing is too out of the box for them to consider, which makes them endlessly creative and innovative. It also helps them be more compassionate and empathetic, truly taking the time to understand perspectives different from their own. This generation’s open-mindedness will help the world become a more accepting and innovative place to be.
There is so much to love about young people in Gen Z, but they have their struggles as well. Rates of ADHD and Anxiety are high, meaning many young people really struggle with Executive Functioning. YA Success Coach specializes in helping young people find the systems and supports that work best for their unique needs. We emphasize getting to know our clients as unique individuals and empowering them to find their best path forward to success. Contact us today to learn more about how Success Coaching might help you or your child.
Having a conversation is the first step to helping your child realize their full potential and set them up for success!