“Gen-Z became the first generation in history to go through puberty with a portal in their pockets that called them away from the people nearby and into an alternative universe that was exciting, addictive, unstable, and—as I will show—unsuitable for children and adolescents”—Jonathan Haidt.
The evolution of human beings has seen a variety of generational characteristics that were attributed to them as a particular group that was born at a particular age. According to Western standards, there is the Lost Generation (1883-1900), Greatest Generation (1901-1927) since their members were shaped by the Great Depression and were enlisted in forces during World War II, Silent Generation (1928-1945), Baby Bloomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996), Generation-Z (1997-2012) and the latest, Generation Alpha (Early 2010s-Mid 2020s).
With no offence to anyone, each generation had and will continue to have, its peculiar circumstances within which they had and will spend their lives. There are known and hidden challenges that can be petrifying for humans and yet there may be surprises, there could be devastation but concurrently the level of development can be astonishing, and there may be wars but then there are eons of peace. In short, whichever the century or whichever age, life experiences a constant struggle with plenty of disappointments and many aha moments. This roller coaster ride is the destiny of all living beings from birth to death.
In recent years while the Greatest and the Silent Generations were suffering World Wars the Baby Bloomers, Generation X, and the Millennials, a great number of whom are still alive, passed through magical years of rapid progress in sciences, discoveries, and inventions. Recalling the years since the 1970s one can imagine how, from basic computers in main organisations to easily available hand-held gadgets containing the world in them, has completely revolutionised life and even the approach to life.
While members of the second half of the earlier century were trying to deal with the rapid changes, they were also continuing with the values their elders had infused in them. These were the focus, loyalty, dedication, and to some extent, contentment—not that all professed the same values yet the majority were somewhat happy with whatever life had to offer. Thus, one finds people who retired from the jobs they first entered instead of hopping, skipping, and jumping from company to company. The level of expertise they achieved made some almost indispensable for their employers. Even on the domestic front, there were fewer divorces and families tended to stay welded together for long periods of time. Family courts were less burdened and mental/physical ailments too were less than what they are now. Not that it was all heavenly, but compared to the world today, things were more in control.
Recrudescing to Gen-Zs and now Alphas, one feels sorry for the situation they are in. In the first place, they are born amid a host of electronic devices to which they are naturally and understandably perceptive. Then they are flooded with more information than their minds can process raising their elders’ degree of expectation from them. Also, the availability of multiple avenues, distractions, and possibilities can induce uncertainty leading to frustration. So, with high intellect and less physical labour the greater the tendency to cause an imbalance in approach and lifestyle.
The new generation of GenZs and Alphas are today, distant from human beings but closer to inanimate objects that are gradually eroding the warmth of human touch from their lives. They would rather listen to an AI’s voice than hear fairy tales from their grandparents.
These issues can be exasperating for future employers as well according to a report. Some of the problems that have been pointed out in this report, based on different surveys, essentially relate to attitudinal matters that require Gen-Zs’ and now Alphas’ immediate attention. Top among these are lack of motivation or initiative. While the earlier generations toiled hard to please their bosses the new crop is least bothered to cast a positive impression. They consider life too short, therefore, they prefer satisfying themselves rather than devoting time to employment callings. They are found fumbling more with their cell phones rather than paying heed to office files.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the concept of working from home through online applications like Zoom. Consequently, the new interns were unable to get the feel of working in a physical office and among colleagues. This caused a social disconnection where they were unable to learn office etiquette or behaviour with other human beings. This also includes the inability to work in a team, improper dressing, and poor organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Now that we have overcome this global malaise, some universities are actually offering online courses in appropriate office manners and conduct to enable an environment of professionalism.
Since this young lot is able to get quick answers, they are prone to lack analytical skills that come with deep pondering. This know-all attitude is also quite irritating for employers especially bosses, who tend to feel insecure or mortified by such workers. Besides, technical abilities are missing too because handling a gamepad expertly is very different from working on say, Excel.
The amount of commitment required in pursuing a career path determines the amount of seriousness of that person. Likewise, long enduring relationships are only possible where the idea of working towards them is shared by all who are a party. The new generation of Gen-Zs and Alphas are today, distant from human beings but closer to inanimate objects that are gradually eroding the warmth of human touch from their lives. They would rather listen to an AI’s voice than hear fairy tales from their grandparents. They may feel comfortable with online classes but then they deprive themselves of the satisfaction that comes from interacting with colleagues and above all, their mentors.
Tranquility is a real blessing and with everything that is going on in the world today, it is not surprising that the new generation is feeling overwhelmed and detached too at whatever is going on around it because as Matty Healy, English singer, song writer, and producer says: “Reality is chaos, and we’ve created an algorithm that keeps us informed of as much of that chaos as possible, from the second we wake up to the second we go to bed, and then we wonder why we’re anxious”.