Navigating Uncertainty: Is Gen Z the Lost Generation?

It’s been approximately 200,000 years since the human kind has come into existence . Many generations of humans came and many developments took place. Now humankind is in the 21st century and the generation which is now in the picture, the world of the youth are popularly known as the “Generation z” or “Gen Z”. Generation z are the children born between 1997-2012, the Z in the name stands for zoomers who got hold of the internet from a very early stage of their life.

They got access to the internet very fast which made them digitally very literate, it made them socially responsible and the early exposure to the world made them bold & career oriented. But the adverse effects of being digitally native turned out not so well for genz’s. They have created a digitally social bubble around them that has been acting according to that social media bubble. As from the very beginning they are familiar with developments like the internet their mindset has turned towards smart work rather than hard work there is no doubt that Gen Z are more significant about their future but the ways of establishing are very different . Gen z are more vocal about their thoughts, they have been exposed to the whole world at a very young age which automatically creates a rebellious perspective. Specially in India, the youth has been highly influenced by the western culture and they try to create the same environment around them. Although many arguable thought processes have been bought by this generation but many are more than appreciable for example voice for women , voice against racism, voice against gender discrimination for third gender as well, voice for democracy, voice against war, voice against any kind of dominance or suppression etc. Some examples to prove these are associations like Dream of America is non profit youth association for progressive politics very impressively raised their voice for democracy during the capital attack, the recent Bangladesh agitation where youth stood for their rights. We saw the youth on street for the black life matters campaign and there is a not ending list to these.

Now let’s talk about why they are often said as the lost generation. Gen z are found to be very stressed and mental health is a huge concern. According to the American Psychological Association 91% of the gen z have developed  physical or social symptoms due to stress, why because of the competition that has reached the sky, they feel pressure about their future in a world of economic uncertainty. Now one thing that we should all know is that according to Psychology, today 95% of gen z have access to smartphones and 55% of them spend more than 10 hours on their device which leads to overstimulation and anxiety. What actually happens here in the world of social media is huge and spending so much time in social media creates a “comparison trap” where they just can’t be satisfied with one thing they will just keep wanting more and more and would try to become like others so they are socially accepted. This leads to inadequacy and isolation and distant them from meaningful relationship. A highly competitive academic environment, societal-parental expectations, comparison and a push for academic performance all contribute to increased pressure. The COVID-19 epidemic has caused stress among this generation, leading to a shift from distant learning to in-person tests. What adds more to the problem is lack of discipline, unstable sleeping schedule, lack of healthy diet and a balanced lifestyle which was seen in previous generations. The shifting conventions surrounding labor, gender, and identity have also resulted in substantial generational shifts. Gen Z emphasises diversity, inclusivity, and flexibility more than earlier generations, but these values sometimes clash with traditional systems in education, businesses, and politics . This tension may add to their feeling of being lost in a world where cultural and social standards are fast changing.

In terms of criminal involvement gen z have been both the victim and the offender. This generation is prone to gun violence ,school shootings and drugs. Although Genz is slower in  underage drinking than the previous generation, it is still evident. Lately in the news we have noticed a lot of hit and run cases done by juveniles which is a matter of concern. One example for it will be the “Porsche case mumbai “. This generation’s engagement in crime is linked to broader social issues, making it a complex topic that must be considered alongside mental health, activism, and worries about safety and societal inequality.

This generation is lost in confusion and a glamorous delusional world they see online which actually holds them back rather than boosting their confidence but we just can’t let go of the fact that this generation is growing up with revolution in mind. GenZ wants to succeed but on their own terms which sometimes becomes arguable , according to a study by Exploding Topics “62% of Gen Zers have indicated an interest in starting their own business rather than working a traditional job, reflecting a strong entrepreneurial spirit”. They look forward to working with flexibility and independence and prefer digital platforms as a career option. “Additionally, 16% of Gen Zers are already involved in side businesses or freelancing while in school or college”.

Summing up there is no doubt that Gen z is in the period of digital evolution and they are tend to become habituated to it but the social bubble they are living in is more dangerous than it seems a study reveals that in 2022 19% of GenZ in high school seriously considered suicide. The craving for social validation can be a problem but if the GenZ can focus on working out their basics and fundamentals of life then this generation has the potential to create heights that will be difficult to achieve.