Besides the Baby Boomers, the Millennials are one of the, if not the, most well-known generation. The Millennial years range from the late 1970s to 1995; therefore, if one was born within this range, they would be considered a Millennial. What about those born after 1995? Who are they, and what do we call them? Generation Z. Multiple "nicknames" have been created for this generation, such as iGeneration and Gen Z, but an official title has yet to be settled on. Though there is little information on this new generation, there are some things that should be made aware:
Not all of us feel entitled.
Just as the Millennials have been labeled as a group of people that feel they are owed everything, the stereotype is beginning to be applied to Generation Z as well. There are certain people that believe they have the right to be given what they want when they want it, but this does not mean that we all hold this same view. I was raised to understand that getting what you need/want takes effort of your own. If you want something, you cannot simply wish it. Unfortunately, the newest generations are seen as lazy, and that is a judgement that we (Millennials and Gen Z) need to break. As my dad has always said, "the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."
Technology is not the only thing we know.
Generation Z is the first generation to grow up with the ability to become completely adapted to technology such as the iPhone and iPad. Some see this as a negative, others as a positive - either way, please understand that the entire generation is not obsessed with it. Yes, I am aware that a lot of people classed under Gen Z would have a difficult time without technology, but the expression "you kids could not live without technology" is a bit exaggerated. Sure, we use our laptops and phones and what have you, and they are extremely helpful, but we also experienced the days where we were sent outside to spend the day playing with sidewalk chalk and riding our bikes until dinner was ready.
We have different views and opinions.
I recently turned 18 which allowed me to vote in my first primary, and, upon walking out of the voting booth, I received countless judgmental looks. A man with a Bernie sticker on gave me a vibrant smile and a "thumbs up." I knew what was happening- everyone assumed that I had voted for Sanders simply because I was young. I did not cast my vote for Sanders, but even if I had, why would it matter? A substantial amount of judgment is passed on this new era because of the wide-ranged, varying beliefs. Please do not make assumptions about me or any of my fellows based solely on the fact that I am young and part of a different generation that has specific stereotypes held against it.
We want to succeed.
Out of anything, our generation does not aim to let anyone down. Just like all of the past generations, we have our issues and, along with them, the people that do not want to better them. But we also have people that want to make a difference and "make the world a better place." This generation is still trying to figure it out. In fact, I believe that all of the generations currently represented are still figuring it out. We want to work hard, we want to succeed- and we certainly will.
Generation Z is still forming and it will take a good while to understand what we are actually about. Give us a chance. Before we are given the same titles as the last generation, the Millennials, who were also given some unfair stereotypes, attempt to know that we are different people growing up in a vastly dissimilar world than those before us. It is without a doubt that those of us categorized as Gen Z have been given many advantages that most have not had, such as technology, but that does not mean that growing up and figuring out who we are is easy. We've got a bright future ahead of us - it would be shameful to hinder that with titles and judgments.
