Oh! The kids these days are so lazy
They're too sensitive, and they take everything personally.
If kids these days were treated the way we were, they’d break in an instant
They don't know how the real world works.
Kids, these are so rude, and they don’t respect elders.
These kids get everything on a platter, they don’t know anything about hard work.

I’m sure we’ve all heard some version of these conversations. We all have said it too!  
Every time I hear it, I find myself wondering if we've forgotten that every generation has said something similar about the one that came after it. 
There was a time when Millennials were criticised for wanting flexible work, questioning authority, and prioritising experiences over traditional milestones. Before that, other generations were criticised for changing social norms, challenging traditions, or approaching life differently from their parents. 

This isn't really a Gen Z problem

Is this a change problem? Are we really comfortable, open, and welcoming to rapid change?  
It’s definitely true that Gen Z has grown up in a world that looks very different from the one their parents or grandparents lived in. They have grown up with access to information, perspectives, and conversations from all over the world.

Topics like mental health, identity, burnout, workplace culture, climate change, and social issues have been part of their everyday reality for years. They haven't just learned about these things in classrooms or books. They've watched people discuss them openly online, share experiences, challenge ideas, and create communities around them. 

Because of this, many Gen Z individuals seem more willing to question things that previous generations may have accepted without much discussion. They are more likely to ask why a system works the way it does, why certain expectations exist, or whether there might be a healthier alternative. Questions about work-life balance, burnout, mental wellbeing, and personal values often come from this place. 

Sometimes that willingness to question gets interpreted as entitlement or defiance or, even, say, ignorance about real worldly ways. But I often wonder if it is simply curiosity. After all, every generation has challenged something that came before it. The difference is that Gen Z is doing it in a world where those conversations are much more visible. 

The same can be said for the way many young people talk about emotions. I've often heard older adults say, "In our time, we just got on with it." And there is truth in that. Many people had to navigate incredibly difficult circumstances with very little support and very few opportunities to talk about what they were feeling, as they were constantly figuring out the basics of survival and how to sustain a family. 

At the same time, there is something valuable about a generation that is learning to talk openly about their emotional experiences. Being able to recognise stress, communicate needs, set boundaries, or seek support when struggling does not necessarily mean someone is less resilient. In many ways, it requires so much courage. 
Now, does that mean every young person has mastered emotional intelligence? Of course not. 

Of course, no generation gets everything right. Gen Z is no exception. But I think people sometimes overlook how much emotional awareness, creativity, and self-reflection many young people bring to conversations today. Rather than dismissing those qualities, perhaps there is value in trying to understand them. When we do, we often realise that 'different' doesn't automatically mean 'wrong'. Sometimes what we see as a problem is simply a different way of looking at the world. 

 
Another thing I genuinely appreciate about Gen Z is how creative they can be. 
Not always in the traditional sense, but in the way they approach problems, opportunities, and even everyday life. Many have grown up learning, creating, networking, and building communities in ways that simply didn't exist for previous generations.

Whether it's teaching themselves new skills online, starting small ventures, creating content, or bringing people together around shared interests, there is often a willingness to experiment and try things differently. 

I think what sometimes gets missed in conversations about generations is the world that every generation grows up in. 
Our parents were shaped by one set of realities. Another shaped us. Gen Z is growing up in a world that comes with its own challenges, opportunities, and pressures. Naturally, they will respond to those realities in their own way. 

That's why comparisons between generations can sometimes feel unfair. We often compare people who grew up in completely different contexts and expect them to think the same way. 
Personally, I think each generation can learn a lot from the others, especially Gen Z. There's so much we can learn!  

Older generations bring experience, perspective, resilience, and lessons that only come from living through different stages of life. Gen Z brings fresh ideas, creativity, openness, and a willingness to question things that may no longer be working. 
Neither approach is inherently better than the other. They bring different strengths to the table. 
Maybe instead of asking what's wrong with Gen Z, we could spend more time asking what they are trying to tell us or even what they need. 

We might not agree with everything, but if we listen, listen genuinely with curiosity rather than judgment, we may realise that some of the qualities we criticise today are the same qualities that will help shape a better tomorrow!  
At iDare, we believe that meaningful conversations begin with curiosity, not judgment. For affordable inclusive and safe help, check out iDare’s engage section!