Are All Gen Zers Really Entitled, Lazy, and Phone-Addicted?
Stereotypes limit understanding of who we really are. Here's how they affect Gen Z. (Written for Psychology Today)
Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash
As a Gen Zer, I often feel torn between defending my generation and wanting to give an honest portrayal of who we really are. Because let’s be real: Some of us do fit the stereotypes. But that’s the thing about stereotypes: They often come from some truth, but they don't always tell the full story.
What’s Actually True?
I’m not saying some of these stereotypes aren't spot on. Are some of us entitled? Definitely. Lazy? Yeah, sometimes. Hooked on our phones? No question. But this could be true of any person from any generation.
And each generation has its own set of stereotypes that they are constantly battling.
Boomers?
They are out of touch with reality.
They are close-minded.
They can’t even open a PDF.
Gen Xers?
They are cynical and pessimistic.
They are resistant to change.
They have no work-life balance.
Millennials?
They want participation trophies for everything.
They have no loyalty to their employers.
They are addicted to avocados.
I could go on.
We share widely acknowledged stereotypes for each generation, but that doesn’t mean they are helpful or productive.
When Are Stereotypes Helpful?
Stereotypes and patterns can serve a purpose when you need a quick way to understand a group of people.
For example, when hiring managers see that a potential employee is a member of Gen Z, they might assume they're highly tech-savvy or that they will value work-life balance. This could help them figure out how to communicate better with a candidate, or adjust offers to include flexible hours, or create an environment that works well for people who grew up with technology.
Brand marketers also love benefit from using generational stereotypes to create their campaigns. They might think Gen Z is all about social media trends, so they’ll throw in influencers or memes to grab our attention. It’s their way of making sure an ad feels on point with what they think we care about.
Stereotypes help us simplify our world. We use them as cognitive shortcuts when we don’t have the time, energy, or resources to gather all the data. But these shortcuts come at a cost.
When Stereotypes Become Harmful
Here’s where the problem comes in: when stereotypes stop being just observations and start limiting how we see each other.
A 2023 survey by ResumeBuilder.com found that 74% of managers said Gen Z employees were harder to work with than those of other generations. The main complaints? Feeling entitled, not putting in enough effort, and being unmotivated. When these ideas get stuck in people’s heads, it can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities to actually connect and work together. It might even mean that someone won’t get hired just because of how their generation is perceived.
For example, if a manager assumes that a Gen Z employee is lazy based on their age, they might overlook the fact that the employee has a lot of new ideas, is motivated by flexibility, or just needs different types of support. In fact, Gen Z is known for wanting meaningful work and being driven by a sense of purpose, but those qualities can get lost when people focus too much on surface-level stereotypes. Instead of offering mentorship or opportunities for growth, a manager might write off a young employee without even giving them a chance.
Beyond the Stereotypes: Get to Know the Person
I will not deny that as a generation, we are flawed. But we aren’t flawed because of our generational label; it is because we are human beings.
Gen Z—like any other generation—is made up of individuals, not just a list of traits. It’s easy to make quick judgments. We all do it. But stereotyping is never a replacement for actually getting to know someone. Every person has their own background and experience, and that’s what shapes their personality and behaviors.
Take me, for example. Gen Zers are known for embracing new technology. I, on the other hand, am somewhat scared of the latest tech. I didn’t use ChatGPT until a few months ago, even though it came out in 2022. I avoid updating my phone until the very last second. Instead of scrolling through TikTok, I wait for the videos to make their way to Instagram Reels a few days later.
But you wouldn’t know any of this unless you got to know me as a person instead of me as a representative of a generation.
So instead of holding on to these stereotypes, take the time to get to know the person behind the generational label.
Here’s how you can do that:
Have Real Conversations. Instead of assuming, just ask questions and actually listen. People’s views are shaped by their own life experiences, and you’ll learn a lot by being curious and open-minded.
Find Common Ground. Focus on what you both like or care about. Whether it’s a hobby or something bigger, finding shared interests helps you connect and see past generational labels.
Be Empathetic. Even if you don’t see eye-to-eye, try to understand where they’re coming from. There’s probably context that you haven’t considered or are unaware of. Being empathetic helps you connect with others, no matter the age gap.
Appreciate Differences. Instead of getting caught up in what makes generations different (and therefore difficult to work with), celebrate it. Every age group, and every person, brings something valuable to the table, and you can learn a lot from each other.
We all deserve to be known for more than just the year in which we were born.
References:
forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2023/07/31/gen-z-is-labeled-as-difficult-in-the-workplace-but-theres-more-to-the-story/