Baby boomers and Generation X often hold negative views of Generation Z’s economic decisions, work ethic, and reliance on cell phones. The contrasting perspectives on the societal norms, technological use and cultural traditions of the two generations shape the opinions older generations have on Gen Z. As they navigate the intimidating housing market and explore the transformative potential of technology, their experiences disrupt traditional expectations, further emphasizing the intricate link between past and present societal norms.

As older members of Gen Z begin to settle down, many find that they are not financially able to afford a home in their early twenties. Comparing the housing market of the mid-twentieth century to today’s, a substantial disparity emerges, revealing that what was once easily affordable now stands as exceptionally expensive. The proportion of housing prices to salary is not proportionary, as salaries remain relatively stagnant but housing prices continue to rise. This shift in economic dynamics and rising housing costs has significantly changed how people achieve homeownership. In older generations’ formative years, societal norms emphasized stability through homeownership, but today, achieving this standard is largely unattainable for the majority of Generation Z. Factoring in inflation and the cost of living, according to The Zebra, the price of housing to income ratio in the 1960s was 2.1, meaning that the median home cost was $11,900, while the median income was $5,600. In contrast, 2019 had a ratio of 3.5. Meaning that the median home cost was $240,500, and the median income was $68,703. Furthermore, the stark contrast in housing affordability between past generations and today’s challenging market highlights the financial strain older Gen Z members face, reshaping traditional expectations of achieving homeownership in their early twenties.

Previous generations may view Gen Z under a lens of skepticism, criticizing their reliance on technology which caused decreasing attention spans. With the advent of social media in the early 2000s, younger generations are hooked.  This wave of diverse social media apps caused teenagers to rely heavily on the internet as their attention spans shortened due to excess scrolling and online interactions. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube provide users access to short, captivating videos, contributing to declining attention spans. Due to the dopamine rushes and almost hypnotic trances of 10-15-second videos, users tend to scroll for hours on end. The surge in activity skyrocketed around Gen Z’s developmental age, transforming it from a pastime to a distraction that makes focusing in the real world more challenging.  

Educators working with teenagers and young adults often find it challenging to overlook the decline in attention span, as students show reduced engagement during lectures and class discussions. As reported in Cross River Therapy, human attention spans have decreased to 8.25 seconds, less than a goldfish’s 9 seconds. Two decades ago, the average attention span was around 12.50 seconds. Often criticized for decreasing attention spans and mental health due to a digital lifestyle, online platforms are critical educational resources. Contrary to the notion that Gen Z is underperforming, Science Direct shows that online study methods such as Quizlet and Kahoot enhance retention and understanding of academic material. When used mindfully, technology becomes a powerful tool for creativity and education especially in medical, business, STEM and teaching fields. This further challenges the narrative that Gen Z is chronically online as they utilize these methods to have more interactive experiences in their studies.

Overall, the complex interweaving of economic challenges and technological advancements shapes the perceptions of Generation Z by older generations. From the struggles of homeownership in a demanding market to the impact of technology on attention spans, Gen Z challenges traditional expectations in the eyes of older generations. Although Gen Z heavily relies on technology, there is underlying transformative potential with technology for learning and discovery.