New Generations - Introducing Gen Z

If you are like me, you'd be confused by all the references to generation names that are thrown about in the media. The above graphic may help you contextualize much of the discussions you come across. Oldies like me are the Baby Boomers. Following our generation is what has been called Gen X, born between about 1961-1980. Gene X, which includes my younger colleagues and some of our kids tend to be tecnologically more competent and liberal in their attitudes. Gen Y or more commonly called the Millennials, are those born between 1981 and 1995, and are today aged between about 22- 36. They would be the senior university students and young working adults. Millennials tend to be very techo-savvy and a lot more global and 'tolerant' and liberal with respect to a broad range of issues. Much of the conflict that is being played out in the US at the moment, post Presidential-elections, may well be the result of the conflict between the more conservative spectrum of societal values versus the liberal (anything goes) kind of attitudes held by the Millennials. If so this conflict may not last because we are already approaching the end of Millennial generation. Gen Z, the next generation is already poised to make an entrance. These are the kids who were born from about 1996 onwards. 

Gen Z are distinct from the Millennials in that they take technology and IT for granted having been brought up immersed in technology. Compared to Millenials, they tend to be a bit more insecure and more conservative. According to the Annie E Casey Foundation, "Generation Z youth had lower teen pregnancy rates, less substance abuse, and higher on time high school graduation rates compared to Millennials. .. a 40% drop in teen pregnancy, a 38% drop in drug and alcohol abuse, and a 28% drop in the percentage of teens who did not graduate on time from high school." 

According to The Daily Telegraph, Generation Z is keen to look after their money and make the world a better place. "Unlike the older Gen Y, they are smarter, safer, more mature and want to change the world."

Could it be that the extreme anxiety that you see among liberals today may be attributable to the apprehension that the baton for changing the world may already be passing to Gen Z, a generation that are likely not aligned to them with respect to social values and mores.Perhaps there is hope for the future.