As large swathes of Gen Z are now reaching adulthood, they have begun to lay out the sociological direction in which they want society to go. We’re sure you’ve noticed it, too, so here are 17 things that society can no longer get away with because Gen Z said so.
Stigmatize Mental Health
Mental health is no longer seen as a taboo subject, with Gen Z taking strides in encouraging people to speak out if they are struggling. The campaign is working, with the number of people seeking care on an upward trend, as reported by Forbes. That can only be a good thing!
Ignore Trans Rights
The trans community is, unfortunately, the victim of a multitude of hate crimes, which are condemned by most forward-thinking members of Gen Z. The push for total equality is still far from being achieved, but positive steps are being taken.
Not Recycling
Millennials were the generation that made recycling commonplace; Gen Z is fully cementing it, making it no longer acceptable to shirk your responsibilities out of convenience. A more advanced knowledge of environmentalism has landed important responsibilities on everyone’s shoulders, and hopefully, it will help keep our planet trash-free.
Promote Fast Fashion
The days of fast fashion are coming to an end, with the negative environmental impact deemed too drastic for it to be socially acceptable. This could well mark the start of a generation of smaller brands making it big by selling high-quality, handmade clothing.
Refusing to Accept Technology
Technology is an important aspect of modern life and is not going to disappear anytime soon. With so much of it being made with the aim of total ease of use, there are no longer any excuses for people who choose not to adapt to it. C’mon–QR codes aren’t that difficult!
Not Fact Checking
The spread of so-called ‘fake news’ has ramped up in the social media age, with the spread of completely fabricated stories becoming the norm. It’s important to always check the facts you’ve been handed using independent, unbiased sources for validation to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Using Single-Use Plastics
The damage caused by single-use plastics such as carrier bags and drinking cups harms wildlife and the planet, something Gen Z will no longer stand for. The pushback is being heard, with PBS stating that one in three Americans is reducing their use of single-use plastics. That can only be a good thing!
Ignoring Climate Change
The increasing number of natural disasters and extreme weather patterns have become too worrying for anyone with an ounce of common sense to ignore. Thanks to trailblazers such as Greta Thunberg, people young and old across the globe are finally taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Not Asking for Consent
We now exist in a time when heterosexual relationships are becoming more equal, with women rightfully being handed back autonomy over their bodies. Society will no longer stand for women not being afforded consent before engaging in sexual activity. It’s about time!
Stereotyping
Stereotyping people based on their race, gender, and sexual orientation is now rightly seen as inconsiderate, lazy, and lacking in intelligence. Stereotypes used as punchlines for jokes will likely fall flat unless a healthy amount of irony is used in the build-up.
Body Shaming
Another line of derogatory comments being destroyed by Gen Z is body shaming, a term used when people mock someone for their weight or appearance. This is good because, sadly, a study published by the National Library of Medicine found that those who experience weight discrimination are more likely to gain even more weight.
Promoting Hustle Culture
There was a brief period when hustle culture was heavily promoted, mainly by internet personalities, encouraging people to put all their energy into work and earning money. This detrimental worldview is being phased out as people understand the need to relax, recharge, and work sustainably.
Underestimating Social Media
While social media plays host to trolls and other toxic individuals, its positives shouldn’t be ignored. Activist movements such as the Black Lives Matter campaign have flourished online, igniting an important conversation regarding racial equality in the USA and worldwide.
Discriminating People Based on Appearance
Similarly, unique aspects of peoples’ appearance, such as tattoos and piercings, are becoming more common, with employers no longer looking down on people who choose to express themselves in such a way. With 32% of Americans inked up, as CBS claims, there will soon be no room for such discrimination.
Disregarding Job Roles
The internet has brought previously unheard-of job roles to the foreground, such as content creators, YouTubers, AI-prompt designers, and even professional gamers! While previous generations would have mocked and disregarded these as silly, Gen Z sees them as very much aspirational occupations.
Looking Down on People Who Didn’t Go to College
There are many different paths to success, some involving college degrees and some not. The Gen Z population generally accepts that a college degree isn’t a necessity nor a determining factor in somebody’s overall intellectual capability. It’s unfair to compare a monkey’s and a fish’s ability to climb a tree!
Mock Sobriety
Finally, with sobriety on the rise among the Gen Z population, it’s no longer considered acceptable to either mock somebody for not drinking or try to pressure them into it. Gen Z has allowed people to have increased control over their lifestyle choices with no shame attached to being different, and that’s how we like it, too!