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Why Democrats Should Be Losing Sleep Over Generation Z

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Why Democrats Should Be Losing Sleep Over Generation Z

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The article discusses the trouble democrats might face while trying to earn the respect of generation z individuals due to a lot of their conservative view points, despite being born in time when liberalism flourishes.

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There has been much talk about the Millennial generation being entitled, lazy, and narcissistic. And while Millennials like myself were busy fending off the harsh criticisms and stereotypes constantly flung at our generation, a whole new demographic was slowly emerging from the shadows. Hello, Generation Z! The fiscally responsible, tattoo hating, Republican leaning group, touted by conservatives as their best hope for the future, and as the antithesis of Millennials.

While Millennials still remember cassette players and dial-up Internet, Generation Z grew up hounded by perpetual terrorist threats and school shootings reflecting on them from their Macbook and iPad screens.

They grew up watching Millennials entering the work force with thousands of dollars in school debt, and it seems that they are intent on not making the same mistakes as us.

According to research, Gen Z is more individualistic, more conservative both socially and fiscally, and they're already making waves of impact on our political system. Gen Z, those born in 1995 or later, is possibly the most conservative generation since World War II, and it is worrying that their impact has been completely overlooked during this election. While our fears might be preemptive, we should not make the mistake of disregarding the intriguing yet also possibly worrying world views of Generation Z.

Oftentimes Millennials have been criticized for being notoriously liberal, but it looks like the generation right behind us has completely rebelled. A U.K. Study at The Gild did a survey of almost 2,000 adults and found that on issues like gay marriage, marijuana legalization, transgender rights, and even tattoos, 59% of Gen Z respondents described their views as 'conservative' and 'moderate'.

This is a radical change from 83% Millennials and 85% of Gen X who state that their views are 'quite' or 'very liberal' on those same issues. What's worrying is that given their more conservative leanings, Gen Z was not taken into account during this election, even though for many of them it was their first. Younger generations are famous for being liberal, therefore we mistakenly assumed that Gen Z would vote Democratic. But studies show that Gen Z's views closely resemble those of Libertarian or Moderate Republicans, and that they related with Donald Trump on issues like national security and job creation.

We can speculate on the reasons why Gen Z differs so much from the previous generations. One facet would be that from the crib they were plunged into the era on the Internet, and grew up in a media obsessed culture that exposed them to terrorism, school shootings, and the staggering budget crisis on a daily basis. They've never had to ask anyone for information, directions, or a recipe.

Being able to research their own opinions on an iPad from the convenience of their couch, Gen Z has turned into a very individualistic generation that relies only on themselves and the Internet to form an opinion. One could argue that this mechanical way of living and not having to rely on others for help could have desensitized Gen Z from other people's struggles, which would help explain their more conservative views on social issues.

One thing us Millenials can be jealous of in regards to Generation Z: they avoid student loans like fire! Generation Z is not only more socially conservative, they are also more fiscally conservative. A new national study by The Center for Generational Kinetics discovered that Gen Z students plan to "work during college, keep clear of any personal debt, and start saving for retirement."

Shockingly 12% have already already saving for retirement, and a huge 21% of Gen Z had a savings account before the age of ten. Currently 77% of Gen Z earn their own spending money by doing"freelance work, a part time job, or earned allowance." Jason Dorsey, President of the Center for Generational Kinetics and Gen Z and Millennial expert said of Gen Z, "Their practical and fiscally conservative behavior is making them part of businesses and our economy despite their young age."

The fact that Gen Z is already having a major impact on our economy and politics, being just out of high school, suggests that we must take them seriously and look closely at the reasons that drive them to be more conservative.

Of course we want the next generation to be better than us. Like older siblings, we care for them and certainly appreciate that they have learned from some of our mistakes, especially in the financial realm. But it is important to pay close attention to Gen Z's more radical political outlooks. The Republican party usually engages people as they get older, but with Gen Z's conservative leanings the Republicans have great hope of capturing yet another election. If we don't want a major upset in 2020 we have to find ways to reach out to the next generation and work together.

I'm a career coach and speaker to millennial job hunters around the world. I'm also the founder of CAKE Publishing, a ghostwriting and copywriting house that helps influencers and companies create content (articles, blogs, email sequences)that inspires their customers. Prior...
Ashley Stahl coaches job seekers to find their purpose and land more job offers. She also runs CAKE Publishing, a ghostwriting house that helps influencers create content.

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Why Democrats Should Be Losing Sleep Over Generation Z

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There has been much talk about the Millennial generation being entitled, lazy, and narcissistic. And while Millennials like myself were busy fending off the harsh criticisms and stereotypes constantly flung at our generation, a whole new demographic was slowly emerging from the shadows. Hello, Generation Z!

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The iGen Shift: Colleges Are Changing to Reach the Next Generation

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The iGen Shift: Colleges Are Changing to Reach the Next Generation

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Summary

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This article speaks about generation Z students who are becoming more aware to the dangers of the world due to their exposure to several informative platforms.

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Blaming "kids these days" for society's shift towards social progressivism and libertinism is common within conservative circles. The right loves to reminisce about how previous generations walked uphill both ways to school and romanticize the values with which they grew up. I mean, they did have "Little House on the Prairie" while kids these days just spend all their time on smartphones, right?

But is this criticism really fair? Younger generations are actually embracing traditional conservative values more than people realize.

According to a study released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sexual intercourse among high school students has decreased in the United States by quite a bit. Among males, 43.2 percent of high schoolers surveyed admitted to having sexual intercourse, while 39.2 percent of females answered the same. While that may seem high, it's a stark decrease from 2005, when 47.9 percent of males and 45.7 percent of females admitted to having sex. And it's an even bigger dip from the more than 50 percent that the CDC counted in 1995. According to a 1998 Los Angeles Times article, high school sex started to rise in the '70s, hit its peak in the '80s, then began to slowly decrease in the '90s.

A study last year also showed a decrease in marijuana and alcohol use among teens despite many states pushing for the legalization of marijuana. Instead of hitting the bong or grabbing a drink, some kids are going to church instead. According to a 2016 study, 41 percent of Generation Z, the cohort after Millennials, said they attend weekly church services. That's compared to 18 percent of Millennials who said they went to church at that age, 21 percent of Generation X, and 26 percent of Boomers, a huge shift.

About 40 percent of Generation Z high school seniors disagreed that men should be breadwinners and women homemakers, compared to more than 60 percent in the mid-'90s. That study, led by sociologist David Cotter from Union College, shows that younger generations are turning back towards traditional gender roles after a half century of going in the opposite direction.

Business Insider also points out that Gen Z has a stronger entrepreneurial spirit than previous cohorts, and shows signs of being more fiscally responsible. According to one study by a British brand consultancy called The Gild, Gen Z in the UK is exhibiting more socially conservative views than prior generations.

On the other hand, a study by Northwestern University shows that Gen Z is about as likely to support gay marriage and government involvement in health care as Millennials, and more likely to support transgender rights. Atheism rises by five percentage points among Gen Z, and despite promising signs of an increase in religiosity, teenagers are taking less traditional approaches to Christianity than previous generations, according to researchers at the Barna Group.

But while not everything is looking up, decision making and moral behavior definitely are. And while many don't see Millennials as very conservative, they are actually more conservative than Boomers and Gen Xers were when they were growing up. Considering that the latter two generations both got more conservative as they aged, if Millennials and Gen Z do the same, we could see a strong revival of conservative values.

This counters the conventional wisdom that society is on an unstoppable drift towards libertinism and progressivism. Could this be because we're now tasting the rotten fruit of second-wave feminism, the sexual revolution, and left-wing economics? While the "free love" movement certainly had its immediate pleasures, they were obtained at the expense of the future. Promiscuity trivialized sex and led to rampant hedonism. Hence the expansion of unwed motherhood and divorce, which causes all manner of problems, including increased crime.

The United States isn't the only place where we're seeing a shift in political and cultural thought. Looking at Europe, far-right and nationalist groups are gaining power, a reaction against the European Union and its forced open borders and multiculturalism. While some of the ideas espoused by these leaders are quite bad, they should be a wake-up call to the far left to tone down their extremism and to the right that it has to foster smart conservatism to prevent the United States from going down a dangerous road.

Instead of attacking the younger generation, we need to teach our kids the values of traditional culture without the radicalism of the alt-right. As conservatism's popularity increases, older conservatives can seriously impact the future of the country if only they play this opportunity right.

Tyler Arnold is a freelance journalist. He has been published in National Review, the Washington Free Beacon, and The Federalist.

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Blaming "kids these days" for society's shift towards social progressivism and libertinism is common within conservative circles. The right loves to reminisce about how previous generations walked uphill both ways to school and romanticize the values with which they grew up.

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Millennials love their brands, Gen Zs are terrified of college debt, and 6 other ways Gen Zs and millennials are totally different

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Millennials love their brands, Gen Zs are terrified of college debt, and 6 other ways Gen Zs and millennials are totally different

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Topics that previous generations were not likely to worry about, Generation Z do. The contrast of Gen Z and Millennials are also being discussed.

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100 Gen Zs shared with Business Insider what they think makes them different from millennials, and a few trends were clear.

Gen Zs believe themselves to be social justice-minded and more dependent on technology than millennials.

Marketers have noticed that this generational cohort isn't as brand-conscious as their peers, and they're much more frugal.

My first memory ever is using dial-up internet (I think I was interested in the weird sounds), my parents are Baby Boomers, and I lived at least half of my life without the conveniences of mobile internet.

In other words, I'm a millennial.

Millennials have been framed as selfish, " psychologically scarred," in constant need of validation, and killing several industries, from casual dining to (perhaps worst of all) bar soap.

But now it's time for a new generation to take the spotlight - and the heat: Generation Z, or all Americans born after 1997, are the newest generation.

As I've reported on this emerging generation and talked to Gen Zs nationwide, I've been struck by the differences this cohort has in comparison to myself and my fellow millennials.

And marketers and teens alike have been happy to highlight the differences. Here's what they say sets these two generations apart:

More: Features gen z Generation Z Millennials

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Millennials love their brands, Gen Zs are terrified of college debt, and 6 other ways Gen Zs and millennials are totally different

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100 Gen Zs shared with Business Insider what they think makes them different from millennials, and a few trends were clear. Gen Zs believe themselves to be social justice-minded and more dependent on technology than millennials. Marketers have noticed that this generational cohort isn't as brand-conscious as their peers, and they're much more frugal.

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8 Ways Generation Z Will Differ From Millennial In The Workplace

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8 Ways Generation Z Will Differ From Millennial In The Workplace

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This article discusses the differences between millennials and generation Z in the workplace. This article was not correct in my opinion. I believe that we work harder than it is portrayed.

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Generation Z is composed of those born between 1995 and 2010, which means that the oldest are about 22 and are just entering the workforce.

The media has focused a lot on millennials in recent years, but it's time to turn some of the attention to the millennials' future co-workers. Gen Zers have a lot in common with millennials, but there are also many ways in which the two generations differ.
1. Gen Z Is Motivated By Security
These young people were still kids during the Great Recession, which means that they may have seen their parents take huge financial hits. A significant portion of their lives may have been defined by struggles related to that.

While millennials are often seen as more idealistic, and more motivated by purpose than a paycheck, Generation Z may lean more toward security and money. This is a pragmatic generation - they care about making a difference, but are ultimately motivated by ensuring they have a secure life outside of work.

If you're looking to recruit members of Generation Z, you may be able to tempt them with promises of job security and raises down the line.
2. Gen Z May Be More Competitive
As a cohort, millennials are said to be collaborative and teamwork oriented. They want to work in an environment where inclusion is a priority, and where everybody works together to advance goals. Gen Z, on the other hand, is said to be defined by its competitiveness. They want to work on their own and be judged on their own merits rather than those of their team.

Gen Z also understands that there's a need for constant skill development in order to stay relevant. Their parents likely taught them the importance of working hard, and that no one will hand them their success. This generation is willing to work hard, but they expect to be rewarded for it.
3. Gen Z Wants Independence
Gen Zers' independence ties into their competitiveness, but they generally like to work alone. Many of them prefer to have office space to themselves, rather than an open, collaborative workspace. Many also want to manage their own projects so that their skills and abilities can shine through. They do not want to depend on other people to get their work done.

This independence is apparent in the higher education choices some Gen Zers make. More of them are skipping higher education than their millennial counterparts, and moving straight into the workforce. They'd rather avoid the years of debt and try one of the newer, more affordable options. Don't disregard a potentially great employee just because they don't have the credentials you usually look for - they might have all of the skills you need, just from a different source.
4. Gen Z Will Multitask (More Than Millennials)
If you thought your millennial employees were easily distracted, always flipping between texts and emails, just wait until you start working with members of Gen Z! These young people have always lived in a connected world, and they're used to constant updates from dozens of apps. Switching between different tasks and paying simultaneous attention to a wide range of stimuli comes naturally to them.

This can be perfect for a workplace that requires multitasking. If you're looking for employees who can focus deeply on a task for a long period of time, make sure that's communicated to potential Gen Z employees. And, if you see them looking at their phone during work hours, don't assume that will distract them for ages - they're used to spending five seconds checking for updates before returning to the task at hand.

This group of employees might start working on a document in the afternoon, open it on their phone on the subway ride home and pull it up again on their laptop while watching TV. They don't have as much of a harsh delineation between work and home, and this could change the workplace even more in the coming years.
5. Gen Z Is More Entrepreneurial
Generation Z is 55% more likely to want to start a business than millennials. In fact, a full 72% of Gen Z high school students say that they want to start a business. This can be tied back to many of their traits - especially the independence and desire for financial success. They are highly motivated and willing to work hard to achieve their dreams.

These budding entrepreneurs can make great employees. They are likely to soak up as much knowledge as they can and take on many different challenges as they pursue their goal of starting their own company in the future.
6. Gen Z Wants To Communicate Face To Face
You may have just gotten used to your millennial employees preferring to communicate over email or Slack, but be prepared to switch it up again. Generation Z likes to talk face to face. Fifty-three percent of Generation Z said they prefer in-person discussion over instant messaging or email.

This can be attributed to the negative attention they've seen millennials receive for their reliance on technology, or because the technology they've grown up with (Skype, Snapchat) has allowed people to communicate with a full range of sound and motion, instead of just text. Be prepared for regular in-person meetings with your Gen Z employees to discuss their projects as well as their professional development.
7. Gen Z Are True Digital Natives
Millennials have long been described as digital natives, but they actually grew up in a world that was still full of landlines and dial-up internet. They're used to progress taking time, and are just as confused by some of the newest apps as baby boomers are. Gen Z, on the other hand, has been living in a world of smartphones and free Wi-Fi for as long as they can remember. Ninety-two percent of them have some sort of digital footprint.

They easily flit between platforms and technologies and pick up new software quickly. Their relationship to technology may be even more instinctual than that of a millennial in their late 30s.
8. Gen Z Wants To Be Catered To
Gen Zers expect the workplace to conform to their needs. They are similar to millennials in this way, and are actually fairly similar to boomers as well. This attitude is having an effect on the workplace. In recent years, stars such as U2 and Bruno Mars performed at Salesforce's annual conference. A decade ago, a huge company would never have hired a rock band to appeal to young people. Now, it's pretty typical to have young attendees in mind.

There are some clear generational differences between millennials and the young people just entering the workplace today. Of course, every member of a generation is an individual and will have their own unique traits, but keeping these generalizations in mind could help you prepare to welcome this new generation to the working world.

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8 Ways Generation Z Will Differ From Millennials In The Workplace

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Generation Z is composed of those born between 1995 and 2010, which means that the oldest are about 22 and are just entering the workforce. The media has focused a lot on millennials in recent years, but it's time to turn some of the attention to the millennials' future co-workers.

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Generation Z Is About To Completely Change The U.S. Workforce

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Generation Z Is About To Completely Change The U.S. Workforce

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Generation Z Demographics about the motives about how they function in the workplace

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CBS Local - The U.S. workforce is about see one of the biggest influxes of new talent in several decades; however, experts say Generation Z will also drastically change the way American companies do business in the future.
The Details:

Members of Generation Z are now entering the U.S. workforce

There are around 61 million Americans born from 1996-2010

Most of Generation Z has never lived in a world without smartphones

Recruiting firms say Generation Z has a very different set of values than their parents do

According to consulting firm BridgeWorks, there are 61 million members of the generation born between 1996 to 2010 living in the United States. Generation Z, also called the iGen or Digital Natives, is a larger portion of the population than Generation X and about two-thirds the size of the baby boomer generation.

With this massive group of young Americans starting to graduate from college, U.S. companies are reportedly preparing to welcome a generation that has a uniquely different outlook on the world than their parents do.

"They're a generation that, in many cases, can't remember a life without a smartphone in their hand - and they have no memory of the 9/11 attacks, beyond the classroom," a report from MSN explained. The mood of "Gen Z" is also significantly impacted by what others on social media think of them, according to experts.

"Gen Z's self-worth is affected by social media more than any other generation. A stunning 42% of iGen feels that social media has a direct impact on how they feel about themselves," a study by The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK) reported.

Although these 61 million Americans may seem as emotionally detached as millennials are accused of being, the strategy firm added that Gen Z is actually much more concerned about their future in the workforce. "These Gen Zers have seen their parents struggle financially [due to the recession and student loan crisis]... They're having conversations older generations never really had before," CGW founder Denise Villa said.

While these young adults have had more conversations about money and saving for retirement, recruiters say the Gen Z mentality doesn't revolve around money. "They want to have a purpose in their work," Larry Nash of recruiting firm EY told The Wall Street Journal. Nash added that his firm's survey of young workers found that office culture and giving back to the community were key priorities for Generation Z.

The biggest stumbling block companies are reportedly finding with their new recruits is person-to-person communication skills. The generation that has primarily learned to communicate through emojis and text messages is said to lack many of the office skills their parents have.

Companies are having to train young adults to do many things older Americans take for granted, like writing emails and handling phone calls. "They want to come in and do a really good job; they just need skills we grew up with that they didn't," Denise Villa added.

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Generation Z Is About To Completely Change The U.S. Workforce

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CBS Local - The U.S. workforce is about see one of the biggest influxes of new talent in several decades; however, experts say Generation Z will also drastically change the way American companies do business in the future. The Details: Members of Generation Z are now entering the U.S.

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Digital terrorism in 2018 - Generation Z has arrived

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Digital terrorism in 2018 - Generation Z has arrived

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This articles generates the views and worries of a more conservative persons point of view.

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For 24 years, the Simon Wiesenthal Center has released an annual "Digital Terrorism and Hate" report providing stakeholders, law enforcement and the media a snapshot that illustrates how extremists leverage online platforms to promote their insidious agendas.

Over the course of this time, we've witnessed a frightening evolution in the sophistication of the tools they use and professionalism by which they go about their work. Today, we're on the verge of a tipping point.

The post-millennial Generation Z has grown up with a smartphone in its hands and is reaching adulthood with an unprecedented ability to organize, fundraise, and, if so inclined, to create hateful content and distribute it through fragmented, but interconnected media channels.

Here are the principal 2018 takeaways, all tying back to the common theme that we are dealing with more agile and increasingly capable adversaries:

Here is the good news: While far from perfect, most major social media providers, led by Facebook, are removing hate and terror postings.

Here is the bad news: With 3 billion people online, committed bigots and terrorists still have little trouble mounting sophisticated marketing campaigns and propaganda onslaughts against their enemies.

Online hate is increasingly targeting African Americans and Jews, mirroring real-world FBI hate crime statistics that confirm blacks and American Jews as the top victims of hate crimes in America.

Here are only a few examples:

--The caliphate's zip code may be shrinking in the Middle East but ISIS' online presence and impact continues to surge. Evocative imagery rallies the faithful and gullible - especially lone wolves - to target innocents in Europe and North America with stabbings, car rammings and other acts of violence. While some counter-measures have become more commonly deployed, social media remains terrorists' most potent and effective weapon.

--Extremists are deploying off-the-shelf encryption apps to effectively mask communications and evade authorities' efforts to track their whereabouts.

--The Alt Tech phenomenon is gaining traction. Extremists in the Alt-Right movement reject the rules laid out by social media companies and others to curb online hate. As a result, they increasingly use platforms where there are few if any rules and, when necessary, start their own online funding efforts. Taking their inspiration from far-right gains in Europe, the U.S.-based extremists are recasting neo-Nazism, xenophobia, Anti-Semitism and white supremacism with a new vocabulary (e.g. "It's OK to Be White," "Stop White Genocide"). An entire subculture of hate is taking shape online ranging from Pepe the Frog's icon to gaming apps to t-shirts-all using insiders' vocabulary.

--Online hate is increasingly targeting African Americans and Jews, mirroring real-world FBI hate crime statistics that confirm blacks and American Jews as the top victims of hate crimes in America. There has been an explosion of anti-black imagery and discussion groups validating base racism. The Jewish community finds itself targeted by multiple enemies. These include: imams at mosques on both sides of the Atlantic delivering theological and genocidal dictates; alt-right fanatics recycling classic anti-Semitic screeds that blame Jews for society's problems; extreme anti-Israel and anti-Semitic campaigns led by groups like BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions); as well as state-sanctioned anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial led by Iran.

--A culture of online conspiracy theories is flourishing on social media. These range from attacking the legitimacy of the narratives of victims of the Parkland shootings, blaming the 9/11 catastrophes on CIA or Mossad and resurrecting the 'Big Lies' of the long-debunked "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" in order to infect new generations of young people with history's oldest hate-anti-Semitism.

Here is the challenge ahead: America needs a consortium to tackle and degrade online hate. The players must include social media companies-both large and small - and our communities, including kids, their parents and teachers, and our elected officials.

This isn't a Pollyannaish suggestion but an urgent call to action. We must use every tool in our own powerful arsenal to reach digital-savvy teens and young adults with compelling messages of inclusion, compassion and love. The recent mass murder in South Florida is but one brutal reminder of the price we all pay for lessons unlearned in the social media age. The only way to fight a smart, organized, effective enemy is to be smarter, more effective and better organized.

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Digital terrorism in 2018 - Generation Z has arrived

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The post-millennial Generation Z has grown up with a smartphone in its hands and is reaching adulthood with an unprecedented ability to organize, fundraise, and, if so inclined, to create hateful content and distribute it through fragmented, but interconnected media channels.

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Why Generation Z is less Christian than ever-- and why that's a good thing

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Why Generation Z is less Christian than ever-- and why that's a good thing

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Generation Z is an era of reasoning and logic versus relying on logic and reason in order to function in our society. We've become more prone to social acceptance and diversity.

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Gen Z-the generation following the millennials-is the least Christian generation to date, according to a new Barna study - 34 percent of Gen Z's religious affiliation is either atheist, agnostic or none. In fact, teens 13-18 years old are twice as likely as adults to say they are atheist. And just three in five 13- to 18-year-olds say they are some kind of Christian (59 percent).
Creating Disney World-like Environments in our Churches is not Preparing Gen Z
As Christian parents, pastors, educators, and leaders, we want what's best for our kids. We want to see them grow up and follow Jesus for a lifetime. Yet, we all know young people who have become disillusioned or drifted away from the faith. It doesn't have to be this way: no student should "outgrow" their faith.

As my friend David Kinnaman, the president of the Barna Group, put it while we were working on this Gen Z study together, "Is it possible that many churches are preparing young Christians to face a world that no longer exists?" Based on my experience working with students, the answer to this question is yes.

Many Christian teens are simply unprepared for the world that is waiting for them. With the best of intentions, we bubble wrap our kids and create Disney World-like environments for them in our churches, and then wonder why they have no resilience in faith or life. Students are entertained but not prepared. They've had a lot of fun but are not ready to lead. When the pressure to conform is turned up, Christian teenagers tend to wilt if they do not have the confidence that only comes from knowing why they believe what they believe. As one teenager told me, "following Jesus today is hard because sometimes you feel like the only one."
Culture is Changing Fast and Teenagers are Confused
Gen Z has been discipled by their smart phones, taught sex ed by Google, and conditioned to assume that just because they believe something makes it true.

Contrary to what you may have heard, Christianity is not a fairytale for grown-ups invented to make ourselves feel better. Followers of Jesus have nothing to fear from tough questions, honest doubts, and challenging conversations. Gen Z needs to know that Christians care about truth.

Our culture is changing fast and teenagers are confused-morally and spiritually. At Impact 360 Institute, we've been studying Gen Z alongside the Barna Group for the past year and a half and the research and focus groups confirm this trend. For example, only 34 percent of Gen Z agree that lying is morally wrong; 24 percent say what is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society, and 58 percent of this least-Christian generation agree that "Many religions can lead to eternal life; there is no 'one true religion.'"
Let's Stop Pretending
So why is the fact that Gen Z is less Christian than ever good news again? Because we need to stop pretending and start living in reality.

We need to stop pretending that if we entertain teenagers then they will stick around after they graduate.

We need to stop pretending that if we protect them from everything they won't question, doubt, or walk away.

And we need to stop pretending that a few minutes of a moralistic, watered down Bible lesson on a Sunday morning will prepare them to stand firm in their faith.

In short, teenagers need a grown-up worldview, not coloring book Jesus.

We can do better.

By the time teenagers should be owning their faith, we've already lost their attention and the culture has captured their imagination.

Contrary to what you may have heard, Christian faith is not blind. Christianity is not a fairytale for grown-ups invented to make ourselves feel better. Followers of Jesus have nothing to fear from tough questions, honest doubts, and challenging conversations. Gen Z needs to know that Christians care about truth.
Attendance Is Not Enough
We need to reject the idea that if teenagers just attend church enough they will build a strong faith. The attendance model is not working-training is necessary.

As one of our students shared with me this past summer, "I know why I am a Christian now...I know it's true. I am able to defend my faith and live my life out for him [Jesus] in ways I wasn't before." Training makes all the difference.

Whether we are in the majority or being marginalized, our charge as followers of Jesus is to be faithful to pass on our faith to the next generation.

As our post-Christian culture increasingly marginalizes Christianity, it is critical for those of us who care about Gen Z not to take a business-as-usual approach to their formation. If we do nothing they will be shaped away from life with God. We have the opportunity to reimagine what passing on our faith to the next generation looks like in this unique cultural moment. But first, we must stop pretending.

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Why Generation Z is less Christian than ever -- and why that's good news

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Gen Z-the generation following the millennials-is the least Christian generation to date, according to a new Barna study - 34 percent of Gen Z's religious affiliation is either atheist, agnostic or none. In fact, teens 13-18 years old are twice as likely as adults to say they are atheist.

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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"Lit" is over - and other things you could pay teens to tell you

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"Lit" is over - and other things you could pay teens to tell you

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Consulting firms like JÜV are helping grown-up brands talk to young people without condescending to them.

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Employees of JÜV, a consultancy firm run by teens and college kids, lived and worked in a loft-like apartment in Brooklyn for the summer. Credit Karsten Moran for The New York Times

When CJ DeLeo founded his record label, Right Coast Music, he knew that reaching teenagers would be crucial to its success. But rather than thumbing through Instagram to figure out how to talk to 10- to 21-year-olds - or, Generation Z, as the demographic after millennials is sometimes called - he reached out to JÜV Consulting.

The company is one of several new marketing firms that illuminate the inner workings of kids these days without condescending to them. How? JÜV Consulting is staffed entirely by young people who range in age from 14 to 22.

"I was honestly quite skeptical when I found out they were teenagers," Mr. DeLeo admitted. "After the first call, they blew me away. They could walk into a regular business setting with people in their 30s and 40s and be completely comfortable. They are living the demographic we were targeting."

That's the whole point. The employees at JÜV (named for a combination of the words "juvenile" and "rejuvenate") are out to teach brands, companies and nonprofits what it means to be a young person by commodifying their own quality time.

JÜV's creative director, Nico Trigo, 18, left, and the director of marketing Jacob Chang, 19, in their shared bedroom. Credit Karsten Moran for The New York Times

"Don't talk about teenagers, talk to teenagers," said Ziad Ahmed, 19, JÜV's C.E.O. and a rising sophomore at Yale (major undecided). He co-founded the consultancy firm in 2016 with Nick Jain, 19, the company's C.O.O. and a rising sophomore at Princeton and Melinda Guo, 19, who goes to Stanford and serves as a member of the board.

This summer, Mr. Ahmed, Mr. Jain and six other members of the executive team lived and worked in a loft in Brooklyn, where they would meet with clients and then just hang out. In addition to an executive team, JÜV has five senior partners, 15 junior partners and 90 consultants on staff, all of whom (it should perhaps go without saying) are paid. Their de facto informants consist of friends - and friends of friends - from around the world.

"Gen Z moves fast, and so do the trends," said Jacob Chang, 19, JÜV's director of marketing, and a rising sophomore at the University of Chicago. A big part of his job is flagging memes and whatever is catching viral fire on Twitter. "There are a lot of things coming in and out of favor," he said.

JÜV's co-founder and chief executive, Ziad Ahmed, 19, confers with Shaina Zafar, 18, the company's chief of staff. Credit Karsten Moran for The New York Times

For example, "'Lit' isn't really cool anymore," said Mr. Ahmed. "Even though a lot of us still colloquially use it, if a company did it, that's cringey. Because lit, our parents now know it." On the other hand, he said, "if you were to, in a tweet, use a word like 'hella,' no one's going to be like, that's so cringey, because that's just how we type."

"Generation Z is Generation We," said Mr. Chang. "We love sharing experiences with each other. And that's why memes have taken off, because it's like the short, shared experience of our humor."

To be clear, the JÜV team scoffs at the idea of a "Gen Z expert": anyone who pretends to speak for a generation, whether that's a peer or adult. They aren't a research firm, they say. They aren't a focus group. They are, according to Emma Himes, JÜV's 18-year-old director of development and a rising sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, "a really diverse group of trained teen consultants who can help you."

That approach has earned them work with big-name clients like Viacom and Edelman, as well consulting gigs with smaller nonprofits and businesses. One of the company's most appealing offerings is helping clients navigate social media to avoid the kinds of pitfalls that might make them infamous overnight - or canceled, in the lingo of the day.

JÜV teens, at work and at play. Credit Karsten Moran for The New York Times

"We grew up on social media. That's kind of the way we describe it to clients," Mr. Jain said. "The vast majority of us are fluent in it."

Before the executive team disbanded this month to go back to their colleges (where they will work remotely on a part-time basis during the school year), they would host clients at their loft in Clinton Hill.

The space looked like a hangout spot from a high schooler's dreams. There was a long desk in the middle of the light-filled room, where the team plugged in their earbuds and got to work, and a comfy sectional in the corner, where the team would occasionally stop working long enough to watch The Bachelorette. There were walls covered in Post-it notes (both to organize work tasks and delegate chores among the roommates), and pool floats were flung about the space as decoration.

Credit Karsten Moran for The New York Times

For meals, JÜV employees ate a lot of pasta. They would gather together at a high kitchen table, debating the efficacy of subway ads and whether Kim and Kanye might divorce with equal passion.

Liz Toney, a JÜV client who is the head of brand and engagement for a social media start-up launching this fall, described a typical meeting:

"One minute there are Nerfs, card games and inflatable pool toys," she said. "The next our laptops are out and it's focused, brilliant conversation, and two hours of exciting brainstorming."

For a room full of students who have yet to experience the existential dread of graduating? Sounds about right.

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page ST5 of the New York edition with the headline: Things You Can Learn From Teenagers: 'Lit' Is No Longer Lit. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

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'Lit' Is Over, and Other Things You Can Pay Teens to Teach You

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Consulting firms like JÜV are helping grown-up brands talk to young people without condescending to them. When CJ DeLeo founded his record label, Right Coast Music, he knew that reaching teenagers would be crucial to its success.

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Gen Zs never watch TV, are stressed about Snapchat, and are concerned that technology has ruined their mental health — here's what it's REALLY like to be a teen in 2018

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Gen Zs never watch TV, are stressed about Snapchat, and are concerned that technology has ruined their mental health — here's what it's REALLY like to be a teen in 2018

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Statistics about generation z and how they spend their time

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Gen Zs never watch TV, are stressed about Snapchat, and are concerned that technology has ruined their mental health - here's what it's REALLY like to be a teen in 2018

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Generation Z is the most ethnically-diverse and largest generation in American history. From talking to 104 teenagers nationwide, Business Insider discovered what makes today's teens stressed out, happy, curious, and connected.

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The Future of Education: Sajan George at TEDxUNC

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The Future of Education: Sajan George at TEDxUNC

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This Ted Talk discusses how education is rapidly changing yet not positively effecting the education system.

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The Future of Education: Sajan George at TEDxUNC

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Conservative or Liberal? For Generation Z, It’s Not That Simple

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Conservative or Liberal? For Generation Z, It’s Not That Simple

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Generation Z views on controversial beliefs are being discussed throughout the article

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It might be time for the Millennial media obsession to wind down as a new generation inches up in age and takes their first baby steps into the workforce. I'm talking about Generation Z, the next demographic cohort after the Millennials. While there is no set consensus on when this generation begins, it is commonly believed that members of Generation Z were born between 1998 and 2001. That makes the oldest among them 16 to 19 years old. And the youngest? That remains to be seen because " as of yet there is little to no consensus about ending birth years." It's important to note that generational lines are not based on science, so clear definitions are not always available.

At 16 to 19 years old, many Americans are already working, or just getting started. Organizations are wise to start looking at their future workforce, especially because as of now Gen Z are 22% of the population and growing. Research conducted on this generation is intriguing.

An interesting question raised about Generation Z concerns their predicted political leanings. In particular, will Generation Z be the most conservative or liberal generation in decades? Let's take a look at both sides of the spectrum:

A 2016 American study found that while only 18% of Millennials attended church, church attendance was 41% among Generation Z.

Polls found eight out of ten members of Gen Z considered themselves "fiscally conservative."

In certain areas, Generation Z is more risk-averse than the Millennials. In 2013, 66% of teenagers had tried alcohol, down from 82% in 1991.

A 2016 study done by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that Generation Z had lower teen pregnancy rates, less substance abuse, and higher on-time high school graduation rates compared to Millennials.

Business Insider describes Generation Z as more conservative, more money-oriented, more entrepreneurial and pragmatic about money compared to Millennials. This make sense considering members of Generation Z have watched their parents live through the second worst economic decline in American history (starting in 2008), and have witnessed the aftermath of mass layoffs and rampant foreclosures.

One British study conducted by global consultancy firm, The Guild, found Gen Z participants ten times more likely than Millennials to dislike tattoos and body piercings.

What we see here are some hallmarks of conservatism-risk averse when it comes to drugs and alcohol, significantly higher church attendance than the previous generation, conservative about money, prioritizing stability, pragmatic, and less interested in what is commonly associated with "fringe" behavior.

But it's not that simple. Those who want to take these Generation Z findings and blanket them as largely conservative are ignoring other key aspects of the generation. For example:

These findings paint the picture of a more liberal ideology with environmental concern, support for gay marriage and transgender rights, inherent acceptance of diversity, and supportive view of legalizing marijuana.

Gen Z is more diverse than any generation. Frank N. Magid estimates that Gen Z is 55% Caucasian, 24% Hispanic, 14% African American, 4% Asian and 4% mixed race or other. He also states that Gen Z exhibits positive feelingsabout ethnic diversity in the U.S. and is more likely than older generations to have social circles that include different ethnic groups, races, and religions. This makes them more sympathetic to movements regarding racism, such as Black Lives Matter, and less tolerant for institutionalized discrimination against different religions, ethnic groups or immigrants.

Generation Z is more liberal in areas like marijuana legalization, and transgenderissues, according to a study done by The Gild. 56% of 13-to-20-year-olds said that they knew someone who went by gender neutral pronouns such as "they," "them," or "ze," compared to 43% of people aged 28 to 34 years old, according to the results of the Innovation Group's major new study. Over a third of Gen Z respondents also strongly agreed that gender did not define a person as much as it used to. This figure dropped to 23% among Millennials who were 28 and up.

75% of Gen Z support same sex marriage. They're more likely to have grown up around same sex parents, and therefor don't see this as unusual-or illegal.

76% are concerned about global warming. This makes sense considering the amount of environmental disasters they've witnessed so far, including the 2013 Colorado forest fires (most destructive wildfire in history,) tornado in Joplin, Missouri in 2011 (single deadliest tornado in US history since advent of modern weather forecasting,) the flooding devastating Mississippi river valley (one of largest and most damaging floods recorded in past century,) and much more.

It has been reported that Generation Z are, "the least likely to believe that there is such a thing as the American Dream."

Having grown up bombarded by mass shootings in their own country, and terrorist attacks overseas, this generation more likely supports gun control.

So which is it? How do we categorize a generation that presents common ideals of both conservatives and liberals? Maybe we don't. Maybe we need to rethink what it is to be "conservative" and "liberal" and consider that in the future the distinction will be different. This generation just might disrupt the huge US bipartisan divide we are experiencing now. And maybe we would be better for it.

Do you have personal experience with members of Generation Z? What have you noticed about them? And if you're a member of Generation Z, I'd love to hear your perspective. Leave a comment below, send me an email, or find me on Twitter.

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Conservative or Liberal? It's Not That Simple With Generation Z

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It might be time for the Millennial media obsession to wind down as a new generation inches up in age and takes their first baby steps into the workforce. I'm talking about Generation Z, the next demographic cohort after the Millennials.

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How Hispanic Generation Z Will Change Everything

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How Hispanic Generation Z Will Change Everything

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This article depicts information about the lives of generation z adults seeking a better life for them and their families.

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Marketers have focused on millennials for nearly a decade, making them among the most-studied group of young adults. But as the tail end of millennials turn 21 and graduate from college, it's time to turn our attention to next major consumer group - those under 21.

While there is no agreement on their label or exact range of birth years, most demographers indicate they were born between 1995 and 2010. This currently puts the "Gen Z" consumers between 4 and 20 years old, with the marketing sweet spot between 12 and 18. While we will refer to them as Gen Z, other labels include iGen, Net Gen and Plurals.

Gen Z is huge. According to the U.S. Census (March 2015), those under 20 represent 25.9% of the U.S. population or 83 million people. That makes Gen Z the largest generational cohort, surpassing millennials (24.5%) and baby boomers (23.6%).

Gen Z are also the most ethnically diverse in history, representing the last generation to be majority non-Hispanic white (52.9%). Hispanics represent 23.5% of the total Gen Z population and a whopping 93% are U.S. born. According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Hispanic babies - 55% - are born to mothers in their 20s. This means a disproportionate percentage of Gen Z Hispanics are the children of Hispanic millennials, not Gen Xers.

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We are only now starting to understand this newest generation of consumers. If we drill down to Hispanic Gen Z, the research is virtually nonexistent beyond top-line data regarding their ethnic makeup and nativity. However, we can parse the research on Gen Z and begin to think about how it aligns with what we know about Hispanics, particularly their parents and closest generational cohorts - Hispanic millennials.

Many of the psychographic and behavioral characteristics associated with Gen Z align with Hispanic cultural traits. Gen Z, like Hispanics overall, are:

Cautious, price and value conscious, and avoid debt

Entrepreneurial and eager to start working

Optimistic about the future

Prefer home-cooked meals

Are DIYers and crowdsourcers (Hispanics among their family and social network, Gen Z are enabled by technology)

Yet Gen Z are starting to exhibit many characteristics generally at odds with common cultural traits and among Hispanics. Gen Z are:

Independent workers

Over-connected to the point where it impairs their real-life communication skills

In need of instant gratification

These generational differences are significant and likely to manifest themselves among Hispanic Gen Z, considering the large majority are U.S.-born and growing up in diverse social circles. We can expect many of these behavior characteristics to result in points of tension for Hispanic Gen Zers, whose parents, grandparents and even older siblings think and act very differently.

Yet, it is likely that Hispanic Gen Zers will break with generational trends and show some key differences in attitudes and behaviors resulting from the fact they are much more likely to be the children of immigrant millennials ( Hispanic Millennial Project). This includes being more likely to believe in the American Dream and placing greater importance on higher education.

There is no doubt that Gen Z will have a profound effect on Hispanic marketing in the next 10 to 15 years. The nature of this change will depend on the answers to some key questions:

Will they be "post-racial" and redefine the role of ethnicity in similar ways to their progressive attitudes on gender? Or will their awareness of the importance of Hispanics in the country lead to a type of retro-acculturation?

How will their over-connectedness impact their media consumption, particularly as it relates to ethnic-specific media?

Will their orientation towards image-based content and symbols (emojis, emoticons) disrupt the role of Spanish in their lives?

How many Gen Zers will emigrate to the U.S. from Latin America during the next 10 years, considering they will be in their prime "immigrating years" of 20-30?

Smart marketers will start trying to answers these questions now, particularly those in California, Texas and Florida, where Hispanics make up 30%+ of the Gen Z population.

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as the tail end of millennials turn 21 and graduate from college

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it's time to turn our attention to next major consumer group - those under 21. gen z is huge. according to the u.s. census (march 2015)

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those under 20 represent 25.9% of the u.s. population or 83 million ... 03/04/2015

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How Hispanic Gen Z Will Change Everything

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As the tail end of millennials turn 21 and graduate from college, it's time to turn our attention to next major consumer group - those under 21. Gen Z is huge. According to the U.S. Census (March 2015), those under 20 represent 25.9% of the U.S. population or 83 million people.

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The state of America, According to Generation z

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The state of America, According to Generation z

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This article discusses the fact that this generation is statistically more broad minded then previous generations. Generation Z is very liberal.

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A recent poll is challenging the belief of how progressive young people are when it comes to diversity. While younger Americans may be more inclusive than previous generations, there are major variances on how they view certain issues, based on their own race and gender.

The "Diversity, Division, Discrimination: The State of Young America" report was produced by the Public Religion Research Institute and MTV after more than 2,000 young people ages 15 to 24 were surveyed and participated in a series of eight focus groups.

The survey revealed some key findings about young Americans on issues related to politics, religion, immigration, race relations and LGBT issues.

Here are a few of the report's highlights.
Young women are more politically engaged than men
Young women are much more likely to have volunteered for a cause they care about, have donated money to a campaign or signed an online petition, compared to young men. As a whole, more than 4 in 10 young people have liked or followed a campaign or organization online that they support in the past year. Fewer than 1 in 5 contacted an elected official or attended a public rally or demonstration.
They're optimistic about America's future
More than half - 59 percent - of young people say America's best days lie ahead, which is slightly larger than the percentage (52 percent) of all Americans belief this. But more than 4 in 10 - 41 percent - believe that the country's best days are in the past. Of the ethnic groups surveyed, black young people were the least likely to say that America's best days lie ahead. Only 54 percent of black young people hold that sentiment, compared with two-thirds of Asian young people, 60 percent of white young people and 56 percent of Latino young people.
Some think white people are discriminated against
More than a third - 36 percent - of white young people say discrimination against white people is as serious of a problem as discrimination against people of color.

Nearly 4 in 10 - 38 percent - of white young people believe diversity efforts almost always harm white people. Nearly half - 48 percent - of young white men say diversity efforts will harm white people, while 28 percent of white women said the same.
Race relations are important to them
The overwhelming majority - 80 percent - of young black Americans, along with more than half of Asians (55 percent) and Latinos (52 percent), say race relations are a critical issue to them. Fewer than 4 in 10 - 37 percent - of white young people share the same view.

And young black Americans are more likely than peers of other races to believe Americans are divided over race. Nearly three-fourths - 73 percent - of black young people say Americans are very divided over race. Slightly more than half of their Asian peers share that view. The percentage of Latino (45 percent) and white young people (43 percent) who believe the same is lower.
They don't like President Trump
Only a quarter of young people view President Trump positively. A large majority - 72 percent - have an unfavorable view of him. But the survey found young white Americans hold the most favorable views of Trump, with more than a third - 35 percent - giving him positive marks. Only 5 percent of young black Americans view the president favorably.

With the midterm elections quickly approaching, both political parties are looking at ways to win young voters. While voter turnout among young people tends to be low during nonpresidential years, relatively high millennial engagement in recent elections, including those in Alabama and Virginia, have party leaders aiming to persuade young voters to turn out for the November elections.

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Analysis | The state of America, according to Generation Z

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A recent poll is challenging the belief of how progressive young people are when it comes to diversity. While younger Americans may be more inclusive than previous generations, there are major variances on how they view certain issues, based on their own race and gender.