High school award ceremonies in the twenty-first century are gratifying experiences for most parents. After years of trying to perfect their parenting, the symbol of a medal hanging from their child’s neck sends a reassuring message; it’s a message that says, “Just as the parenting book stated, you, too, could raise successful children.” Whether the engraving on the medal reads “Most Enthusiastic” or “Try a Different Sport,” every child leaves with an award in hand and a feeling of merit. Unlike previous generations, the generation of the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century – which I will refer to as Generation Z or Gen Z – grew up in a country where everyone is a winner- at least in theory. Consequently, Generation Z developed an elevated sense of self-worth that combined with technology and created a society of entitled humanitarians.
One of the historical facets of the American Dream was that working hard and receiving an education would lead to opportunities for prosperity and happiness. For many, these notions manifested into images heavily influenced by 1950s iconography: a white picket fence; a yard for the kids to play in; a new ruby-red Chevy parked outside. For others, simply supporting a family and living a comfortable lifestyle was a sensible representation of the American Dream. However, for Generation Z, the American Dream is perceived through a lens that been hampered by the commentaries and respective experiences of previous generations. Due to technological and economic changes, members of Gen Z connect to the world around them in a way no other generation could. With a perspective that reaches far beyond the borders of the United States, Generation Z rejects the individualistic, domestic, and narrow pursuits previous generations strived for. Instead, Gen Z believes in a revamped version of the American Dream where the emphasis is no longer about personal success; rather, the goal is to achieve a fulfilling life through the betterment of others, and due to their elevated sense of self-worth, members of Gen Z believe they are capable of achieving the task even if the results won’t elicit economic success.
A revealing example of this phenomenon was the viral video, Kony 2012 (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc). Released in 2012, the video was a call-to-action that asked viewers to help bring Joseph Kony, an international war criminal, to justice. Within weeks of the video’s release, a firestorm of social media erupted across the web. Tens-of-thousands of Gen Z-ers posted, shared, commented, and liked the video. After just a few months, over one hundred million people, mostly from Generation Z, had seen the video. Although the video speaks to Gen Z’s desire to connect with global, humanitarian efforts, it also demonstrates an interesting paradox. Several months after the video was released, participation in the Kony efforts dropped dramatically. While members of Gen Z initially demonstrated interest in the project, their determination quickly faded when the call-to-action was more demanding than tapping the ‘share’ button on viral video. Correcting the gruesome evils around the world seems uncomplicated when it involves sitting behind a computer screen and watching videos, but when that filter is removed, the jarring reality of a world where there are losers and injustices is easier to just ignore. Although Gen Z strives to be apart of the positive change in the world, it lacks the persistence needed to push through challenges. The paradox lies in the fact that members of Gen Z believe they are the most capable generation, but their coddled upbringing and desire for instant gratification limits their perseverance and effectiveness.
Ultimately, Generation Z continues to be a generation that could bring sweeping reform and positive change around the world. As the most technologically advanced, educated, and globally connected generation, Generation Z has many tools to create a striking contrast from previous generations. However, Generation Z still faces many challenges. Everyone can’t be a winner, and inflated perceptions of self-worth can strain the efforts of a group. Only time will tell if Generation Z will truly achieve their American Dream on a global level.
Recent Comments