Generation Z is a mysterious group of men and women born around 1997 to 2012 and is considered to have a gradual view. [emphasis, links added]
In the public imagined stereotype, this is or is already a group that will be included in net zero if their perception of gender politics gives them “ICK”, or make any job that has the tendency to require them to work in the office.
Except that it may not be true.
There is growing evidence that it is far from the legend of the Left Snowflake Cohort. Generation Z is different in its politics and cares about the same things the older generation does – work, houses, safety – not just cultural wars or social issues.
This week’s landmark report at the University of Glasgow John Smith Center adds to that feeling.
The institute worked with polling firm Focaldata to conduct 260 interviews with people aged 18 to 29, and used these conversations to poll 40 questions for 2,039 young people nationwide.
Contrary to what is possible, it found that Gen Z is more concerned about crime than the environment, Surprisingly, the benefits of migration focus on work, housing and family.
“This goes back to Maslow's hierarchy of needs,” said Eddie Barnes, director of the John Smith Center.
“The bottom of this triangle is the foundation (including food, water, shelter, sleep, housing, health, finance). This is the younger generation [is]. This generation's wage growth has not had much impact, their housing costs are very high and financially unsafe.
“Those are not cultural war issues, they are top priorities. What do people care about? It's a financial issue. Crime is much higher than the environment, and it's a big surprise.”
When asked about their biggest contributors feeling “tough, anxious or on the edge” about them, respondents responded: “financial concerns” (37%), “work stress” (23%) and “job security or unemployment” (20%). Climate change is in trouble at a rate of 10%. […snip…]
“The most important issues facing Britain today” are inflation and the costs of living, health care, housing and crime. Only 20% say climate change and the environment.
This figure is in a 2019 global survey that found that 41% of young people believe climate change is more urgent than anything else.
The poll conducted by John Smith reported did not raise specific questions about the pandemic, but Barnes said it was a focus group conducted as part of the research.
“There is a feeling that Kuved is another thing that hurts the growth of young people,” he said. “A young man said, ‘We will never go back to that time’. There is no pain or anger, but a feeling of lament.”
Regardless of the reasons, the result is a generation that is obviously stronger than millennials to economic reality.
“House ownership and the economy are much more important than climate change,” said Oliver Freeston, 25, a Lincolnshire Reform Commissioner.
“Climate change is natural and has been happening for thousands of years. If we drive net zero frantically, it will bankrupt the country. It is not lowering the bills, it is increasing them. It's already tough for young people, with stagnant wages and high tax burdens. We don't need to make it any more difficult. ”
Top photo of Limbo Hu on Unsplash
Read the full post in the Telegraph
