Gen Z’rs. Wow, just Wow….
Yahoo “news” just painted a bleak picture of our newest line of workers fresh out of college. The article made me cringe, pause, think about it—then give a good laugh. The poorly educated, wide-eyes-to-the-future shortlist just got shorter. Yes, cell phones are to blame. So are participation trophies and a sadly run indoctrination—sorry (not sorry)—excuse for education. The lack of face-to-face interaction is obvious, and so is work dress code (or lack of it) and communication skills (again, lacking). Most don’t want to show up by 7 a.m. (neither do I, but I want a paycheck). Two parts I can’t relate to are rent (I own my home) and having an auto (electric doesn’t count; it’s merely transportation). My three vehicles are paid off; my “newest” ride is a 2004 and the oldest is a 1986. I can do most repairs myself, and if I “miss a payment,” that means something didn’t get fixed.
With all that stated, let’s dive into some of the root issues (most articles you read won’t do this).
Let’s discuss Gen Z. WTF are these kids thinking? (No, I didn’t write this to make them feel better—this may “unintentionally” hurt feelings.) First off, we can’t put the blame only on their shoulders. Parents, social media, schools, politics, and a poor attitude from society in general are the main culprits on that list of finger-pointing. Where are their parents? Working, I hope. Some parents live off the taxpayer (people who are working), and that explains the lack of ethics. As a parent, your main focus should be raising your child to be proficient in a society that shares a common goal or ideology (America used to have that). This ain’t a fast-food slogan—we’re all in this country together. If you don’t like this country, find one you do and move. So simple! Have it your way.
Social media—four letters that feel longer. It was supposed to be a good thing when first conceived. So where did it go woefully wrong? Short answer: news outlets use it for their “research,” and the story goes to s#!t since no one has any real idea what’s happening—nobody visits the actual event to find out firsthand. It’s like a round of “telephone.” By the time it gets back to the public, it’s unrecognizable from its origins (even though no one really knows what actually happened, if anything). Social media is best suited for people who can’t visit friends because of distance or work schedules—just don’t sit on FB and get all your life’s “realities” and news from there.
Cell phones (insert dramatic music). We’ve learned to live with phones, but why be in constant contact with them? If I’m busy, I don’t care who calls—I’ll call back when I can. Once upon a time we could go on vacation, not be heard from for three weeks, and nobody thought much about it. Now, omg, if you don’t answer on the second ring all hell breaks loose and the person not answering has probably been abducted by aliens (extraterrestrial or border jumpers). Being attached to “the cord” (some of you know) wasn’t all that fun, BUT if you didn’t answer, most callers assumed you were out doing something and tried back later (not in 5 seconds—more like the next day).
Trophies for everything? Back in my day (old-man raspy voice), if you couldn’t run, jump, or swim fast, you didn’t get on the team—and you damn sure didn’t get rewarded for it. Take the sideline, add in some boo-hoo, and practice until you can get on the team. If you suck at something, practice and learn more about it if it means that much to you.
School systems. I’ll keep this brief (I promise). These indoctrination camps are turning even the soundest minds into blobs of useless goo. Scores have been lowered to make them look “smarter,” courses have been dumbed down, and practical, hands-on classes have been removed to make sure these bright hopefuls are unable to take care of themselves and thus require assistance from the gub’ment. Once this aspiring group is shoved through the “system,” their delicate minds have been manipulated to envision a future that’s bleak and dismal—even to the most enthusiastic among them.
What about “hanging out” with friends? Is that even an option anymore? We all have jobs (but is it a life?) that take up most of our time. What happened to getting together and enjoying an evening out? We’re so caught up in “the next paycheck” that we seldom slow down to enjoy the life around us. Why are there always bills to pay and no time to spend with loved ones? Are we so dependent on the bank that we can no longer “make it” with the bare necessities? Maslow had a theory that isn’t being followed today (If you’re wondering about why skipping basics backfires, see Maslow’s hierarchy overview). So many get caught up in wanting more that the second and third tiers are skipped to grab the top tiers—which can’t be sustained once you get there. Face-to-face interaction is primal for the survival of a species, and we’re failing miserably at that.
We’ve reached the tipping point: how to dress for work. Most can agree we prefer someone who’s dressed nicely, with good presentation—and verbal skills that match the room, not just the speaker. Communication is vital to conveying ideas and getting through the day. Those who can’t communicate without emojis struggle with real people. And yes—finding work is tough for those (not just some) who are covered in tattoos and have metal stuck everywhere. I don’t mean having ink or earrings; I’m talking about so much that it’s distracting to talk to you because we’re constantly thinking “why?” or “what’s the purpose?” If you feel the need to express yourself that way, don’t apply for a job serving the public and then wonder why you can’t find steady work. If that’s the case, your best option is to start your own business and enjoy the fruits of your own labor.
In conclusion to this all-over-the-map rant, I still have a hopeful outlook on these up-and-comers. In the near future, we’ll see a shift in societal norms that looks like anarchy to some but may have a familiar outcome (think Roaring ’20s). If you read that article, swap a few words to reflect current society and you’ll see it: history can repeat itself—even when we don’t realize it.
