A question across the millennia. With technology and society encountering various technological and socio-economic changes, the question of whether the generational gap exists or not - is a pertinent one. The answer to it may be twofold. By that - it's not to argue the validity of the gap entirely but whether the degree and extent we imagine it to be present in, holds true. ‘Generation Z’ or the ‘igeneration’ as we have been dubbed, are those born between the years 1997 to 2012. Our generation, I feel, has been subjected to quite a few discriminatory accusations which may indeed be true as well.

As a generation, compared to those before us, we are fundamentally different. The rising issues in mental health in our generation have been predominant (Kasporova & Linhart, 2023). We are said to lack emotional intelligence, are compulsive and lack social skills. We are well adept with technology and are highly opinionated (Kasporova & Linhart, 2023). Research identifies us as complementing millennial optimism with practical goal orientation (Rue, 2018).  

We are also among many other things in the workplace and elsewhere known to be hard-working and conscientious. And yet, we are said to lack resilience and are more inclined to be entrepreneurs than to work in large corporations taking orders from a higher authority.

So, how does Gen Z perceive this gap?  “I do believe that there is such a thing as a generation gap. There's a whole bunch of changes that take place from generation to generation" says Tahsha, a Gen Z. "For example 'woke culture' has been discussed much. Most of the older generation however see this as a sign of weakness or extra sensitivity. Certain phrases that the older generation would say as a joke sometimes manage to instantly make my skin crawl. In the same manner, I believe that certain courteous elements that are displayed by the older generation have been lost in ours.”

Another Gen Z, Uduli says “I have asked myself the same question several times and I have had this conversation with a millennial. Also growing up as the only Gen Z in my family with a brother who was born in the millennial generation to parents from Generation X - I have realised the differences in my thinking and theirs. Sometimes I feel that globalism and technological advancement have taken us Gen Zs a little away from reality. As far as it has a positive impact - I feel that it has impacted our Gen Zs to forget who they are and it has influenced them to step into a fast-paced world that is full of trends to tick off”.

How about Gen X, which is our parents' generation, what do they perceive our generation as? My colleague Vasantha and I were having a conversation on the paradox of what we say, where they tell us Gen Z’s to be brave and seek opportunities only to shoot us down with the proverbial phrase ‘you lack experience.’  

My colleague too admits the gap exists and that our generation oftentimes catches them off guard. He highlighted that if it was their own Gen Z child who was pursuing new opportunities, such terms would not be used. Azeem who is a millennial, when asked about the generational gap said "Generational gaps are just labels; technology's pace shapes our growth and learning race. Different eras, same experiences, varying speeds—tech drives our career seeds and emotional maturity leads.”

Another Millennial, Tatum, stated that she loved working with Gen Z's because they were easygoing. She also stated that Gen Z’s prioritised their own and others' wellbeing before anything else. Right, so, there are multiple perspectives about the gap, but are we really THAT different? A study conducted in America found that we, in comparison to other generations strive for equality, and are more open and tolerant to changes (Rue, 2018).

The fight for equality isn’t new, is it? It’s been a continuously waging war. Our generation sees the fight for freedom and equality based on creed, religion and gender. Across the millennia we’ve fought for the fundamental basics of human rights, the time, place and context although different, the fundamental truth remaining, we are all fighting for what we believe to be right. We want to be seen, heard and understood. And that is common to every generation, isn’t it?

Sent by Shaakya Nathavitharana