Latest news with #GenerationZers
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Generation Zers struggle to focus
Woman scrolling on her phone Credit: BANG - Entertainment News BANG - Entertainment News Bang Showbiz Generation Zers struggle to focus. A study by Extra found over half of those aged 18-24 failed to focus on a task for longer than 30 minutes. It was said that three-quarters of Gen Zers - people born between 1997 and 2012 - like to procrastinate because their mind is occupied with something else. It comes as the research found that 34 per cent of the demographic cohort uses the video-based social media platform TiKTok and 20 per cent play video games when on breaks. Hannah Lee, from Extra, is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "Procrastination gets a bad rap, but a healthy dose can help your brain reset. "Those little 'me moments' can create breathing space to help you get back in the zone."
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present
Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present | Opinion With a financially stable future out of reach, it's no surprise that much of my generation has adopted a sort of economic nihilism. Show Caption Hide Caption Gen Z suffers from more anxiety and loneliness than previous generation According to a recent study, Gen Z struggles with their mental health, around 20% more than millennials do. unbranded - Lifestyle With my student loan debt mounting and homeownership a far-off dream, I stared at the SSENSE webpage on my laptop, wondering if I deserved to buy a $600 pair of Marni loafers through Klarna, a buy now, pay later financial service provider that we've become a bit too familiar with. I didn't buy the shoes – proof I haven't lost my mind completely – but the foreplay reflected a shift in financial priorities and conditions for people my age. Does the American dream still uphold a 20-something's right to buy shoes? For many Generation Zers, those born between 1995 and 2012, the American dream has been recalibrated. Dreams of owning a single-family home guarded by a white picket fence have softened to hopes of renting out a decent-sized apartment, hopefully with just one roommate. Kids are out of the question. Summer vacations abroad are now only pipe dreams for those whose lives aren't subsidized by their parents. Splurging on groceries and fresh produce is a new form of luxury, especially for those whose Erewhon is Whole Foods. Consumer prices have increased in recent years due to inflation. In 2022, the U.S. saw one of the highest rates of inflation in 40 years. Despite wage increases and projections of economic stability from experts, Americans still feel financially spread thin. Ballooning rent and housing prices certainly don't help. Many Gen Zers are entering adulthood in a country rife with economic disarray, a reality our Millennial forebears know all too well. The promises offered to us in our childhood – that if we get good grades, go to college, get a degree and land a good job, we'd be set for life – ring hollow. More than 4 in 10 Americans under 30 say they're "barely getting by" financially, while just 16% report doing well or very well, according to a Harvard Institute of Politics Survey. Opinion: Gen Z's risk-averse behavior makes love elusive. Are we all going to die alone? With a financially stable future out of reach, it's no surprise that much of my generation has adopted a sort of economic nihilism – a set of practices that prioritize splurging on little luxuries now, instead of saving up for a future that may never come to fruition. Gen Z is crippled by student loan debt Student loan debt is one of the biggest plagues on our wallets. While Gen Zers are less likely to have student loan debt, rising education costs mean we start out with more debt early on than Millennials did. Student borrowers who were 20 to 25 in 2022 had an average balance of $20,900 in student loan debt, a 13% higher balance than Millennials did at the same age. We got a false sense of hope when student loan debt forgiveness was dangled over our heads, only to have it yanked from above us when the Supreme Court struck it down. Matters got even more serious when it was announced that the federal government would resume involuntary collections for borrowers in default on May 5. No rest for the weary, I guess. What makes student loans particularly challenging for Gen Z is the instability of the job market. Finding work is a fruitless endeavor. From DOGE blindly slashing through federal agency budgets to big tech corporations wielding AI as a replacement for human workers and placation for their own greed, job stability and steady earnings remain elusive. Opinion: Why is Gen Z so obsessed with the gym? Our fitness craze masks a deeper crisis. I've seen my peers lose entry-level jobs in communication and tech just as quickly as they got them. I've watched my friends who majored in computer science, engineering and other 'useful' areas of study succumb to hopelessness as their degrees collect dust with virtually nothing to show for them besides mounting debt. With myriad financial stressors coming from all directions and a recession looming, one would think Gen Zers would lead lives of frugality, pinching pennies in every way we can. Instead, I've noticed the exact opposite. Gen Z has been priced out of a future, so we invest in the present. This economic disillusionment leads us to some questionable consumer habits. We're all living above our means, spending money that could otherwise be saved and invested for an elusive tomorrow. Consumer shopping habits reflect our economic nihilism When I asked my friends about their own impulsive or irresponsible spending habits, they confirmed what I already knew to be true: that creating pleasure in the present is paramount. Many of my friends have a habit of putting over-priced concert tickets on their credit cards, something I'm also guilty of (thank you, Ticketmaster). A friend of a friend paid for a trip to Japan in 12 installments. Another friend signed a $2,000 per month lease in New York on a salary of less than $50k, and put themselves into even more debt when they decided to become a fitness instructor. The most common habit among my friends is making big, impulsive purchases on credit and worrying about them later. This explains why Gen Z has the highest average personal debt when compared to other generations. When asked what motivates these purchases, the answers I got all had a similar YOLO attitude. The milestones other generations were achieving at this age – first house, first 'real' job, kids – all seem untenable. Why spend our 20-something years playing an endless game of catch-up? Why not try to piece together a semblance of an enjoyable life now? Seeing wealthy influencers our age lounging in the Mediterranean or frolicking up and down the streets of Paris, dripped in the trendiest fashions, makes it hard for us not to want the same. Older generations may look at our spending habits and grimace. But to understand Gen Z's economic nihilism is to understand the hopelessness that comes with being thrust from one unprecedented crisis to the next, one broken promise after another. Whenever the hopelessness gets too heavy, though, I try my best to remember that there have been worse times in history and in almost every instance we were able to bounce back to some degree. I like to believe this time will be no different. We can find solace in knowing we're not alone in our struggles. Maybe, fellow Gen Zers, it isn't wise to throw our whole future away. Let's hold off on those overpriced shoes. Maybe it's best we practice just a little more financial discipline as best we can and add just a touch of radical optimism – it's really all we have. Kofi is a columnist and digital producer for USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network. He still wants to buy those Marni loafers.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Why is Gen Z so obsessed with the gym? Our fitness craze masks a deeper crisis.
Why is Gen Z so obsessed with the gym? Our fitness craze masks a deeper crisis. | Opinion Although Gen Z's pursuit of fitness may seem positive on the surface, recent trends in the online wellness space reveal that something more nefarious and even unhealthy could be lying underneath. Show Caption Hide Caption Viral 75 Hard challenge: Could you go the distance? Influencers record their progress as they participate in a popular fitness program, 75 Hard challenge. For the past two years, I've been going to the gym a couple times a week, something a younger, exercise-averse version of me would find hard to believe. At the beginning of my fitness fixation, I promised myself I wouldn't let it absorb me. As I scoured the internet for exercise and nutrition tips, I dodged the overly aggressive gym bros and the tough-love fitness fanatics who seem to be all the rage today. I opted for a softer approach instead. Going to the gym wouldn't take over my life; it would just be a hobby, something I'd do to pass the time, improve my physical health and see what my body was capable of. In my early days of fitness research, I noticed that I wasn't alone in my new pastime. It seemed like many people my age (Generation Zers born between 1997 and 2012) were also hitting the gym more than previous generations. Of active Gen Zers, 73% are members of a health club or gym, as opposed to 72% of millennials, 54% of Generation X and 42% of baby boomers, according to an ABC Fitness report. Gen Zers made up 29% of gym newcomers in the first quarter of 2024, according to another survey. Although Gen Z's pursuit of fitness and prioritization of health might seem positive on the surface, recent trends in the online wellness space reveal, at least to me, that something more nefarious and even unhealthy could be lying underneath. Gymfluencers feed Gen Z's fitness fixation It's safe to say that Gen Z's exercise habit can largely be attributed to social media. During the COVID-19 pandemic, online fitness and wellness influencers gained prominence as users sought ways to maintain their physical health from home amid quarantine. Of course, the threat of a global, deadly pandemic forced us to take heed of our health. Creators like Chloe Ting supplemented our health bug and made us make use of our newfound free time with ab workout videos. Her most popular video, titled 'Get Abs in 2 WEEKS,' has more than 570 million views (I'm still haunted by the background music). Once the pandemic ended, our interest in fitness only blossomed. As TikTok continued to grow, so did the amount of information the app provided. #GymTok, a space on TikTok where users share workouts, meal plans and other fitness-related content, has garnered over 31 million posts. The dissemination of fitness information online has made it easier to get active. COVID-19 didn't just help create a wellness boom; it changed the way we gathered. The digital habits fostered during lockdown still permeate today. That, combined with individualistic, work and profit-focused tenets of American culture, has led to the erasure of 'third places,' or spaces outside of home and work where people can gather – like cafes, bars, parks, etc. For many young people, gyms have become a third space. RFK Jr.: America's kids are obese. Making families healthier starts with the food we eat. | Opinion I see it myself at my own gym; the sense of community is palpable as people from across the area bond over their shared love of fitness. Gen Z loves working out so much that some commercial gyms have had to adjust their model to accommodate the increase in membership. But not all that glitters is Gold's. Gen Z fitness hinges on unhealthy habits I've written about how Gen Z's obsession with their own perception has marred the dating world. The same can be said for our interest in fitness. As a chronically online generation, we see how the internet rewards those with seemingly perfect bodies, thus forcing us to hold our own appearances to these near-impossible standards. Whether we want to admit it, going to the gym and working to build a better body helps us achieve the social capital gained only by squeezing into society's narrow standards of beauty. This pursuit of socially acceptable bodies through fitness has proved its negative effects on Gen Z. Opinion: Gen Z's risk-averse behavior makes love elusive. Are we all going to die alone? Late last year, Men's Health released a documentary called 'Generation Flex,' which follows four teenage boys on their journeys to gain muscle and lose body fat. The documentary reveals the dark side of many teenage boys' obsession with getting swole: Rampant online misinformation, supplement abuse and misuse and dangerous exercise habits. Young boys are risking their physical and mental health to achieve unattainable body standards. The same can be said for young girls ‒ #skinnytok is a subset of the health and wellness side of TikTok. There, users – many of whom are women and girls – promote thinness by any means necessary. This usually manifests as extreme calorie deficits that border on starvation, pitched cruelly and harshly to viewers under the guise of tough love. For internet veterans, this is eerily reminiscent of pro-eating disorder content on Tumblr. The proliferation of this dangerous content is especially scary given that anorexia is the deadliest psychiatric diagnosis besides opioid use disorder. These Machiavellian approaches to health and fitness see working out mainly as a beautification process. The ends, a more socially acceptable body, justify the means, dangerous and borderline life-threatening habits. Everything else is secondary. Whenever I find myself consuming content that promotes these problematic behaviors, I remember that fitness isn't supposed to come at the expense of my physical and mental health. It's a marathon, not a race. It's also important to remember that many wellness influencers gain money and popularity from showing ideals instead of realities. Avoiding falling into toxic ideals requires discipline similar to what keeps us going to the gym. Kofi Mframa is a columnist and digital producer for USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network.
Korea Herald
06-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Hey Gen Z, how's dating going?
Single, taken or married, eight Gen Zers talk love, relationships and commitment Do love and relationship dynamics change across generations? Are there distinct traits that define a generation's approach to romance? Asking the right questions can reveal much. In South Korea, some such questions include "What would you do if your parents disapproved of your relationship or marriage?" "Would you marry someone you met on a dating app?" and "Would you date a feminist?" (for men). We asked eight Generation Zers, aged late teens to mid-20s, these and other questions to explore the themes of love, relationships and commitment in today's society. Park Sae-him, 24, male 'I fight a lot with my girlfriend,' admitted Park Sae-him, a 24-year-old, sitting alone at a cafe. 'It's because we don't see eye to eye on many issues — mostly politics.' Park shared that he leans toward the political right, while his girlfriend aligns more with the left. As South Korean politics have become more chaotic in recent months, the influence of their differing political views has grown stronger. 'We interpret the same political situations very differently,' he said. 'For example, I thought the impeachment of President Yoon (Suk Yeol) was too extreme, but my girlfriend believed it was the right decision. That led to a heated debate.' Their disagreements aren't limited to politics. They often find themselves arguing over issues related to gender conflicts as well. 'Men and women seem increasingly divided these days,' he explained. 'Feminism, for instance, puts me off, but my girlfriend sees it as a necessary ideology. I think this is a common point of contention among many young men and women today.' Park acknowledged that these clashes in political and social beliefs seem to strain their relationship. Due to his experience, he partially regrets starting the relationship without discussing these topics in depth beforehand. 'I began dating my girlfriend because it was love at first sight when I saw her at a swimming pool,' he shared. 'But now I realize that basing a relationship purely on physical attraction can lead to significant challenges.' 'I don't regret using dating apps'' Ben Maik Woller, 22, male 'I never used dating apps back in Germany,' said Ben Woller, an exchange student at Kyunghee University in Seoul in his early 20s. He was trying to write a letter to his girlfriend in a convenience store when we met him. He shared that he had started using dating apps for the first time in Korea. 'Since English is my main language for communication here, it was so hard for me to make friends," he said. "I couldn't talk to random people in class because I wasn't sure how well they spoke English." Using apps, therefore, allowed him to estimate how well he could communicate with others before meeting them in person. While making friends was his key motivation, Woller acknowledged that dating apps helped him connect with a supportive girlfriend. 'Even through text, I could tell our vibes matched perfectly,' he said with a smile. 'When we met in person, our conversations were just as fun and honest as they were online. We've been dating for a few months now, and it's amazing.' As an exchange student with limited time in Korea, the couple had to go through the challenges of discussing commitment. Luckily, though, they share a mutual perspective on the future, he said. 'We've agreed to try a long-distance relationship when I return to Germany,' he explained. 'While it's scary to face the uncertainty of the future, we're willing to take the leap." "We trust each other and believe we'll meet again to build a life together,' Woller said. 'My boyfriend is like a capybara' Park Soo-hyun, 26, female When asked to describe her boyfriend, Park Soo-hyun, in her 20s, offered a charmingly unconventional answer: 'He resembles a capybara.' What is a capybara-like boyfriend? "Capybaras are not just adorable but caring and affectionate. My boyfriend is just like that, with his supportive and laid-back nature,' she said, sitting hand-in-hand with her boyfriend at a cafe. 'I've always dreamed of a relationship where communication flows effortlessly,' Park shared. The couple has had their share of heated arguments, Park said, but so far, they've managed to work through them. 'I used to be anxious about conflicts in a relationship. I thought they could lead to uncomfortable situations and eventually a breakup,' she shared. "Whenever we fought over small differences, he would initiate thoughtful, unhurried conversations,' she said. 'He had me realize that embracing our differences as they are and accepting each other as individuals can strengthen our bond.' This growth has deepened her commitment to their future together. 'Marriage is the ultimate goal in this relationship,' Park said. 'I can't wait to have children with him and raise them to be happy little capybaras, just like the two of us.' 'I would rethink my choice if my parents disapproved' Lee Bom, 18, female Lee Bom was waiting for the train when we met her. She said she was single and not actively looking to date someone, with her focus on personal growth and achievements now. 'I'm so focused on studying and learning coffee-making,' she said. 'Even if I were to date someone, my life and goals would come first, not love itself.' She said that when parents disapprove of your relationship, there's usually a reason. 'At first, I would try to convince my parents to respect and accept my choice, but if they kept disapproving, I would reflect on my decisions." She added, "It's important to approach the situation objectively.' For her, family takes precedence over romance, she continued. 'I don't think you should blindly dive into love,' she said. 'For me, familial love and trust are more important than romantic pursuits. I'd rather preserve my relationship with my family than risk losing it for love.' 'Marriage is on my bucket list' Lee Ji-han, 17, female Despite still being in high school, Lee Ji-han has affirmative thoughts on marriage. 'It's on my bucket list,' she said. 'It is like an important milestone in life. Just like graduating from school and getting a job, marriage seems like a necessary step to take.' While Lee sees marriage as part of her future, her immediate focus remains on personal achievements. 'Honestly, I'm too busy to date anyone right now,' she admitted. 'My priority is excelling in what I'm doing now, which is academics.' Similarly, Lee finds excellence a critical trait for her future partner since her priorities lie in ambition and dedication. 'I want to be with someone from whom I can learn,' she explained. 'That's why I want my future partner to be successful in his field; that will earn my love and respect.' In fact, Lee has a specific ideal in mind: the Korean professional gamer Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok. 'He's driven, talented and the best at what he does. Plus, he's handsome,' she said with a hint of shyness. 'I couldn't tell my parents about my same-sex relationship' Kim, 24, female Kim, a college student in her 20s, shared with The Korea Herald that she recently broke up with her same-sex partner. 'I couldn't tell my parents anything about my relationship because I was almost certain they wouldn't approve of my girlfriend,' she said. 'They're very conservative and wouldn't have accepted the fact that I like women.' Kim was thinking about revealing their relationship to her parents, but her girlfriend strongly disagreed. 'She was terrified of what might happen if we came out. She didn't want me to say anything,' Kim explained. 'But I felt it was important for our parents to know and accept us for who we were.' The ongoing conflict over whether to tell their parents created a strain in their relationship, ultimately leading to their breakup. Even after separating, Kim holds their time together close to her heart. 'It was the purest love, the kind you only experience in your teenage years,' she reflected. 'I don't hear from her anymore, but I hope she's living her best life out there.' 'Marriage has practical benefits' Jeon Chung-rim, 25, female Jeon Chung-rim said she has been happily married for two years now. "I never thought of marrying someone before I met my husband," said Jeon, who was shopping at a cosmetics shop in Seoul. "In fact, I hadn't even given any thought to who I want as my partner." Surprisingly, she said her decision to marry, however, wasn't solely driven by love for her husband. "I didn't marry purely for love," she explained. "I thought marriage would eliminate many of the barriers I faced at that time. For instance, I no longer need to tell parents when we want to travel together." The practical benefits of marriage also played a significant role. "It opened up so many regulatory advantages," she said. "When I go to the hospital, I can cite my husband as my legal guardian. Even starting a business together is much easier as a married couple." Although Jeon feels satisfied in her relationship, she acknowledged that there were moments of tension. "We used to fight a lot during our dating phase," she confessed. "I was working in a service job, and the stress from work would often make me lash out at him." Even with these challenges, Jeon credits her husband's personality for the strength of their relationship. "My husband is not only loving but also incredibly generous. I think these qualities made me decide to marry him, and I'm yet to regret that decision," she said. 'My parents wouldn't approve of my girlfriend' Lee Gi-tae, 17, male While Lee Gi-tae, a high school student we met on the streets of Yongsan, described his girlfriend as his 'ideal type,' he has yet to introduce her to his parents. 'A lot of my friends' parents oppose them dating because they think we should focus on studying,' he said. 'But my parents have a different reason. They might dislike my girlfriend because of where she's from.' 'My parents are from the Gyeongsang provinces, and they hold prejudices against people from the Jeolla region," Lee explained, adding that his girlfriend's family is from Jeolla. Despite the worries, Lee hopes to introduce his girlfriend to them if their relationship deepens. "I don't think disagreement from parents should stop anyone from dating. If I genuinely love someone, I'd try to persuade my parents instead of blindly following their opinions," he said. 'Even if they keep disapproving, I'd continue pursuing it because love is about my feelings and choices, not theirs."
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
50% of parents financially supporting adult children: Survey
(NewsNation) — Even when children are out of the nest, some parents are still contributing to their children's livelihoods. According to a survey of 1,000 U.S. parents of adult children by 50% of parents are helping offset financial pressures. The average amount given to adult children among those surveyed was $1,474 a month, a 6% increase from the 2023 survey results. How much do you need to earn to file taxes? Of those contributing, 83% help with grocery payments, 65% assist with cell phone bills, and 46% with vacations. 'While the average contribution to Millennials decreased slightly, a significant increase in support for Generation Zers pushed the overall average higher,' the survey said. Among parents still in the workforce, they contribute 2.3 times more to their children's lifestyle — on average $1,589 — than to their monthly retirement savings contribution ($673). 'We've seen in recent years: the ongoing need to financially support struggling adult children is placing significant strain on many parents' financial security,' Beth Klongpayabal, the study's lead author, said in the release. 'This concerning pattern may face additional pressure if economic conditions worsen in the coming months,' she added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
