9 Things Gen Z Sees As Being Successful That Boomers & Gen X Usually Call An Average Life
Krakenimages.com | ShutterstockPeople in older generations tend to think Gen Z has it easy. Since they’ve never lived a day without technology, Gen X and boomers believe they were given an advantage that they never had.
This created a stereotype that Gen Z doesn’t have the capacity to solve problems the way people had to in the past. When the world is at your fingertips, it's easy to assume success is attainable without any effort. But Gen Z is growing up in a difficult economy while navigating major issues like climate change and political unrest. If they have a successful moment, they want to celebrate it. However, the older generations might find their idea of success silly, everyday things they accomplished easily back in their day.
Gen Z thinks these are signs you're successful, but boomers and Gen X just call them having an average life
1. Buying a house
Group 4 Studio from Getty Images Signature via Canva
Boomers hold the highest stakes in home ownership, as they account for 42% of home buyers. They actually had a much harder time buying their first homes than most young people think, but now they're the most likely age group to buy a home with cash. Gen X first entered the home-buying market during more stable economic times, but that was quickly affected by the housing crash of 2008. Now, roughly 60% of Gen Xers own their homes.
In contrast, Gen Z makes up only 4% of home buyers. They're also less likely to receive a gift or a loan from their parents to put toward purchasing a home than previous generations, as many of their parents are up to their necks in serious debt. When they do buy a home, it’s a big deal for them, but boomers and Gen X just think that's what you're supposed to do, and it's up to you to figure out how to make it happen.
2. Getting a promotion
Gen X makes up 50% of leadership roles in the workplace. They’ve had decades of job experience that puts them in a good place to move up the corporate ladder. As boomers retire, more opportunities open up for them, and things aren’t looking to slow down. One survey found that older generations will continue to stay in the workforce, and possibly, their numbers will grow because it’s becoming harder to retire.
That being said, the fact that older generations are staying in the workforce makes it harder for younger people to get promotions. When they're competing against more experienced employees, the bar is set higher for them. A new trend shows many Gen Zers are turning down promotions. This makes it feel extra good when a Gen Zer accepts a promotion, while older generations view it as part of the everyday work experience.
3. Finding a job after college
A Gallup poll found the majority of Gen Z finds going to college important. However, after four years of studying at a university, they're thrown into an unstable job market. Sixty-six percent of executives say they plan to freeze hiring and lay off employees in the next year. This makes the job market especially challenging for the generation seeking post-college entry-level jobs.
The frequent use of AI has added to their stress, as many of these roles are being delegated to software. Employers have found this cuts costs, which is often their main concern.
Older generations had a somewhat easier time both going to college and finding employment afterward. The workplace was less saturated, and finding a job was expected.
4. Quitting a toxic job
Bongkarngraphic via Canva
Although Gen Z struggles to land jobs, they aren’t afraid to walk away when things aren’t going well. They’re sick of toxic environments with exhausting schedules and the pressure of unmet goals. Their exits are a form of protest, hoping businesses will learn to treat their employees better. With this commitment to themselves, they feel it’s a success to walk away from a job that isn’t suiting them.
Meanwhile, boomers and Gen X have a different outlook on this. By their 20s, they often had secure employment that they stayed at for years. The average tenure at a job for them was around 8 years. They find company loyalty important, and don’t consider leaving a job a good thing.
5. Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries is important to Gen Z. This often stems from the importance they place on their mental health. With an increase in going to therapy and keeping their needs in mind, they aren’t afraid to put their foot down.
Other generations may call this selfish, or find boundaries nothing new. Looking back at boomers and Gen X in their youth, they’re actually responsible for setting many boundaries. They fought against going to war and joined the fight for social justice, breaking free from their parents’ expectations. To them, boundaries are second nature, while younger generations view them as a sign of accomplishing something major.
6. Settling down
Boomers and Gen X went out and had plenty of fun in their glory days, but there's a major difference in how they chose to settle down compared to Gen Z. Older generations prioritized a traditional life, which meant finding the right person and settling down in the suburbs. They felt society put pressure on them to slow down and focus on work and family.
Gen Z isn’t settling down in the same way. Gen Z is more individualistic, which may be why they are happier living a single, independent life. Marriage rates are declining, with Gen Z opting for autonomy over the constraints of marriage. When they finally settle down, it’s a big deal. Other generations find this to be an average part of growing up.
7. Choosing not to have kids
urbazon from Getty Images Signature via Canva
Not having children used to be something people would look down on others for. When people over the age of 50 who haven't had children were asked why, the main answer was that it just worked out that way, and they're OK with that.
Younger generations are choosing not to have kids for many reasons, but they are mostly linked to financial struggles. They don’t want to have children in an unsteady economy, and some can’t afford to. Gen Z is proud of making this decision proactively, but Gen X look back and realize they started that trend.
8. Supporting themselves
Older generations tend to assume that Gen Z is lazy because they rely on financial help from their parents. With a struggling economy, they are occasionally finding themselves moving back into their parents’ house after college.
Boomers and Gen X were often supporting themselves from a young age. Although they may not have been able to turn their finances into wealth, their advantage in the workforce allowed them to pave their own way financially.
Now, fewer young adults are relying on their families for financial support. They’ve moved out of their parents' house, pay their own rent, take care of their expenses, and keep food in their fridge without assistance. While it’s a sign of success for them, most still live paycheck to paycheck, often while paying off student loans and other debts that keep them from thriving financially, and as far as boomers and Gen X see it, that's just an average part of life.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
