Well this should be cheerful! Lets talk about the various forces that are affecting the younger generations in America! I hope others will create rival texts and improve this page.

Here is a great video about the subject by a member of Gen Z:

The main forces

• Social Media impacting the social landscape.

Gen Z is hanging out in real life less, as relationships have moved into the digital space. Statistics of drug use, alcohol use and sex are all way down. Statistics of mental issues are up.

• The internet impacting the knowledge landscape.

An ambitious and determined youth now has access to much more knowledge. However, the internet has also introduced easy access to addictive rabbit holes such as porn.

• The education system (prices are too high, end product is of questionable quality)

Getting a college education is now no guarantee of getting a good job. Lots of people are pushed into getting a college degree when they would probably be better off at a trade school. Student debt is burdensome.

• The economy looking shaky, no good entry level jobs.

Entry into good jobs is now harder than ever. Wages are at a low compared to the prices of goods. Housing prices are unattainable. We are now competing with the entire world for jobs as outsourcing and remote work practices takes hold.

• Political landscape looks ridiculous.

It seems that the political system cannot get anything done, there are no good choices and that we are stuck with leaders who are ridiculously out of the loop.

• Misguided parenting tactics

Happiness = reality - expectations. Our parents raised us with high expectations of the future. Reality is not measuring up.

Results : Some of Gen Z are checked out and/or pessimistic. Some of Gen Z seem to have become more emboldened to action. Of course, this is a massive population and diversity abounds, these are gross generalizations.