I taught a foreign language as an adjunct professor from 2011-13 and again from 2017-19. My Gen Z students were more infantile than my previous younger millennial students. Vast difference, though neither group was great. During my second tenure teaching, I had multiple Gen X parents contacting me to discuss their kid’s progress or to ask for excuses for late assignments, grade changes, etc. If you need to communicate with professors, your kid is not ready for the university environment. The students themselves were very quick to cry during office hours. I recommend the Coddling of the American Mind for further insight.

Though I think most of this with Gen Z is related to the social media component, parenting also plays a role. I always thought of Gen X as incredibly cool and still do. I also think they are the world’s worst parents. Just look at this thread. They think everything their kids do is perfect and adorable. Boomers were far too narcissistic for this level of coddling. TBD if millennials can top Gen X on raising weaklings but I imagine they will.

Anonymous wrote:This is all so stupid.

Just like millennials using their parents credit cards well into their late 20s.

Anonymous wrote:For the first time in history, nearly everyone on the world can get up in the morning and compete with each other. I am constantly amazed that the so-called well travelled millennials don’t get that the “16 team tournament” of the Boomers is now the “128 team global tournament.” You win and the stakes our bigger and better. You lose, no one give a sheet. The world isn’t shrinking going forward (absent some massive calamity) so adjust or get out of the way.

You do realize that Boomers, in supporting Trump, are the ones you should be directing this message at, right? He’s regressive as all hell.

For the first time in history, nearly everyone on the world can get up in the morning and compete with each other. I am constantly amazed that the so-called well travelled millennials don’t get that the “16 team tournament” of the Boomers is now the “128 team global tournament.” You win and the stakes our bigger and better. You lose, no one give a sheet. The world isn’t shrinking going forward (absent some massive calamity) so adjust or get out of the way.

All of you discussing this suck. I win.

This is all so stupid.

Does anyone else just not buy into the generational stereotypes at all? It’s all anecdotal. There’s terrible and great employees of all ages, hard working and lazy people of all ages, depressed and drug addicted people of all ages. Karens of all ages. Entitled a-holes of all ages. Beyond the data about wealth/home ownership etc, I just don’t believe that the stereotypes hold any weight. It’s all confirmation bias and the way peoples’ attitudes and cognition change as they get older.

I’m one of the depressed, chronically under/unemployed, lazy millennials btw. But I have so many driven super successful peers and I always feel like I’m an outlier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone doesn't it's just Gen Xers, disgruntled Gen Xers.

You see Millennials are the cooler younger sibling who outshined older sibling Gen X . Now ageing and realizing their generation contributed nothing to society but flannel they live vicariously through their kids who so far aren't that impressive.

So first millennials hated the boomers, now they hate Gen X. You people can't even keep your story straight.

Older brother and I are Gen X, we are both successful and independent. Our loser Millennial little brother is addicted to drugs, always depressed, can't hold down a job, and lives in an apartment our parents pay for. So much for being cooler and outshining his siblings. Being Gen X we had after school jobs, learned how to be responsible and work well with others, and appreciate what we had.

Anonymous wrote:Everyone doesn't it's just Gen Xers, disgruntled Gen Xers.

You see Millennials are the cooler younger sibling who outshined older sibling Gen X . Now ageing and realizing their generation contributed nothing to society but flannel they live vicariously through their kids who so far aren't that impressive.

Gen Xers started Google and 55% of tech start ups. Bezos was born in 1964 so it’s debatable if he counts. But Musk is definitely an Xer. Gen Xers overwhelmingly dominate in creating new businesses.

Anonymous wrote:Everyone doesn't it's just Gen Xers, disgruntled Gen Xers.

You see Millennials are the cooler younger sibling who outshined older sibling Gen X . Now ageing and realizing their generation contributed nothing to society but flannel they live vicariously through their kids who so far aren't that impressive.

Heeeeeeee

I’m sorry you are so unhappy. Hope the brief surge of serotonin with submit helped. It will get better, dear one.

GenX business owner. My millennial employees constantly complain. Recently, we fired an employee because he did not do his work. My millennial employee complained that it wasn’t announced why so and so left. The other complaint is that tasking is not “fun.” 🙄

Anonymous wrote:Everyone doesn't it's just Gen Xers, disgruntled Gen Xers.

You see Millennials are the cooler younger sibling who outshined older sibling Gen X . Now ageing and realizing their generation contributed nothing to society but flannel they live vicariously through their kids who so far aren't that impressive.

So first millennials hated the boomers, now they hate Gen X. You people can't even keep your story straight.

Anonymous wrote:Gen Xer here.

The Millennials whine too much. Everything -- and I mean everything -- is an overwrought crisis. Doesn't matter what it is. Just move on already.

The Millennials also contradict themselves. I am strong and independent, but could you tell me whether I should order this in blue, or red? I can't decide for myself, I need help. If you're as independent as you say, then you shouldn't need my input for such a non-problem.

The Millennials come off as weak sauce. My Gen Z teens said the same thing without us ever talking about it before, which was funny.

I agree with this generalization.

Everyone doesn't it's just Gen Xers, disgruntled Gen Xers.

You see Millennials are the cooler younger sibling who outshined older sibling Gen X . Now ageing and realizing their generation contributed nothing to society but flannel they live vicariously through their kids who so far aren't that impressive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I go with the theory that Gen X hates those that came after them (Millennials). Meanwhile, Zoomers are the progeny of Gen X are beloved by them.

Zoomers are not much different from younger Millennials. Zoomers are all over social media - TikTok, YouTube, etc.

No gen x I know hates millennials. Its a weird persecution thing.

No. We do. Hate is strong but we are annoyed at how you don't like to pay your dues, and yet you lack the skills to make yourself useful/promotable.

And you get personally offended when we correct/edit you at work, whereas Genx ate a ton of shit. So maybe we admire you in the abstract for being so entitled -- but you're really annoying to work with.

One millennial co-worker actually cried to our boss that she was having an underperforming year because she. . . . got a puppy. And it was sooo much harder than she thought it would be. And our boss is a cancer survivor with kids and aging parers to look after.

( I do love me some Zoomers though)

Cute story. Have you actually worked with any Zoomers? You know the oldest are just 23 years old right?

^^spoken like a true millennial. I did to mean to hurt your feelings.

I have lots more cute stories about millennials, if you want to hear them.

And no, I haven't worked with any Zoomers, but my kids are Zoomers and I love them and their friends and their optimistic we-can-change-the-world energy.

Oh honey that's how every generation is before they hit 25 and then they grow up.