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High street fashion targets Gen Z customers with gender neutrality and inclusive sizing

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High street fashion targets Gen Z customers with gender neutrality and inclusive sizing

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Focusing on the topic of fashion and business in our day to day life clothe has always shown gender through but this day and age it doesn't work like that anymore because teens focus more on the style than the gender of what kind of person is wearing it. To get what the teens want is to collaborate with them on the styles that would them and everyone else. With the styles changing every season, every person will be more interested to buy something that will be close to match their own style that they have created.

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High street fashion targets Gen Z customers with gender neutrality and inclusive sizing

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Gender neutral, inclusive sizing and body positivity are the buzzwords as retailers look to reset the high street for a Gen Z customer. Phoebe Luckhurst reports on a fashion gamechanger

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Americans are lonelier than ever — but 'Gen Z' may be the loneliest

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Americans are lonelier than ever — but 'Gen Z' may be the loneliest

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The teens of today they are suffering in a way that they can't see but other can that they are in trouble because of the social media that they are using. More people are feeling depressed or left out in the world which they turn to their phones for comfort. They have surveyed almost 20,000 people to know that the generation is feeling lonely.

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Who here likes to feel lonely? Likely no one. Yet after some 20,000 people participated in a new nationwide survey published by Cigna, a global health service company, Americans are lonelier than ever, with almost 50 percent of those surveyed feeling left out or lonely.

Using the UCLA Loneliness Scale to compile scores, those who scored above a 43 were officially lonely, on a scale of 20 to 80. An astonishing 43 percent (that's 2 in in 5) Americans sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful, and that they are isolated from others. And 27 percent of Americans (that's one in four) rarely or never feel as though there are people who really understand them.

"What this comes down is that we, as a society, are experiencing a lack of connection," says Douglas Nemecek, M.D., chief medical officer for Behavioral Health at Cigna.

Most alarming: Loneliness scores rose among the generations, with the youngest generation, Gen Z or the iGen, born between the mid-1990s and the early 2000s, scoring a 48.3 overall, as opposed to Millennials, who scored a 45.3., Gen X, who scored an also dismal 45.1 and Baby Boomers, who scored a 42.4. Those of grandparenting or great-grandparenting age, the Greatest Generation, were the least lonely, with a score of 38.6.

Sadly, it seems the younger you are, the lonelier you feel. "While we know that this is a group that's coming of age and making life transitions, these findings give us a clear and surprising picture of how this generation perceives themselves," says Nemecek. "It's important that the communities these young people are a part of take note and explore solutions. It's critical that they're have spaces where young people can connect face-to-face to form meaningful relationships."

The health risks of loneliness

Science has long shown a direct correlation between loneliness and poor health, and the survey illustrates this pretty well. Half of respondents who rarely have in-person interactions are in fair/poor overall health, while just 12 percent of those who have daily in-person interactions are in fair/poor overall health. Half of those who rarely have in-person interactions also say they're in fair/poor physical health (52 percent vs. 23 percent of those who are socially active) and mental health (51 percent vs. 12 percent). What's more, people who rarely have in-person interactions are also less likely to lead healthfully balanced lives, getting less sleep and spending less time with family, than those who are socially active.

"Research has found that loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity," says Nemecek. Indeed, loneliness and social isolation has been linked to a higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. A 2015 study even links loneliness and social isolation with early mortality.

Research has found that loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity.

Young loneliness isn't just a stateside phenomenon: Early this year, the UK-based Office of National Statistics found the proportion of children aged 10 to 15 years reporting high or very high happiness with friends fell significantly from 85.8 percent in 2015 to 80.5 percent in 2017. In response, the government announced an initiative dedicated to helping young people cope.

Is social media the culprit?

It's always tough to be a teen and today's plugged-in teens have a whole new set of issues that can stem from social media overuse. A very recent study, published by Clinical Psychological Science, revealed that adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 who spent more time on social media and smartphones were also more likely to report mental health issues, as opposed to teens who spent more time hanging out with friends, exercising, doing homework, reading print media and attending religious services.

"iGen spends less time with their friends face-to-face and more time online and on social media," confirms Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University and author of " iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood." "As we know from decades of research, people who interact with others face-to-face are less likely to be lonely. Recent research suggests that those who spend more time on social media, in contrast, are more likely to be lonely."

Though this makes complete sense - studies do show avid Facebook users are prone to depression and low self-esteem - the Cigna survey states that social media isn't entirely to blame. Very heavy users of social media have a loneliness score of 43.5, which isn't that far off from the score of lonely people who never use social media (41.7). So social media itself may not be to blame.

What parents can do

Twenge says parents can help their teens along by shifting their thinking a little. "Teens hanging out with their friends are not wasting their time," she says. "Encourage them to get together with their friends face-to-face - and to put away their phones while doing it. Also, if you're struggling to limit your teen's phone time, parental control apps (such as Circle, Kidslox or OurPact) can set limits on use," she says.

Parents can also help their teens by focusing on these healthy behaviors:

Sleep. Balanced sleepers (not too much, not too little) have lower loneliness scores, falling four points behind those who sleep less than desired and 7.3 points behind those who sleep more than desired.

Balancing family with friend time. Those who reported spending too much time with family were also more likely than those who don't to say that they feel as though they are part of a group of friends, and they can find companionship when they need it.

Exercise. People who say they get just the right amount of exercise are considerably less likely to be lonely.

Of all the things parents can encourage to help teens avoid loneliness, hanging out with friends seems to be the most important. "When people have regular, meaningful in-person interactions, they're both less likely to be lonely and more likely to say they're in better health," says Nemecek. "If everyone can take the simple, but important step of reaching out to someone else, that would make this entire study worthwhile."

More Mental Health Tips

Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Why is 'Gen Z' the loneliest generation?

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Who here likes to feel lonely? Likely no one. Yet after some 20,000 people participated in a new nationwide survey published by Cigna, a global health service company, Americans are lonelier than ever, with almost 50 percent of those surveyed feeling left out or lonely.

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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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Student that were born in the 1995 to 2012 were born in a generation of Generation Z an age where everything is about technology and that's not all but that this generation is is wanting to change for the better like in campus life they have changed the way they are teaching and communicating with each other even though that their are problems where college students worry about so much to the point that they get paranoid or get stressed in some way because of social media. This generation whats to do more in the way the view the world like fixing the mistakes of previous generations that couldn't fix it.

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Credit... Henning Wagenbreth

The newest students are transforming the way schools serve and educate them, including sending presidents and deans to Instagram and Twitter.

Credit... Henning Wagenbreth

They are, of course, super connected. But on their terms. Which is why college-bound iGens (Gen Zers, if you prefer) present a challenge to the grown-ups on campus eager to reach and teach them.

Consider orientation season. Katie Sermersheim, dean of students at Purdue University, has a mother lode of information and resources to share (including wellness initiatives and a new mindfulness room). But getting iGen's attention?

"It can be frustrating slash extra challenging to figure out how to get the word out, whatever that word is," Ms. Sermersheim said. "I do get discouraged."

A generation that rarely reads books or emails, breathes through social media, feels isolated and stressed but is crazy driven and wants to solve the world's problems (not just volunteer) is now on campus. Born from 1995 to 2012, its members are the most ethnically diverse generation in history, said Jean M. Twenge, psychology professor at San Diego State University.

They began arriving at colleges a few years ago, and now they are exerting their presence. They are driving shifts, subtle and not, in how colleges serve, guide and educate them, sending presidents and deans to Instagram and Twitter.

They are forcing course makeovers, spurring increased investments in mental health - from more counselors and wellness messages to campaigns drawing students to nature (hug a tree, take a break to look at insects) - and pushing academics to be more hands-on and job-relevant.

They are a frugal but ambitious lot, less excited by climbing walls and en suite kitchens than by career development.

Most critically, they expect to be treated as individuals. Students raised amid the tailored analytics of online retailers or college recruiters presume that anything put in front of them is customized for them, said Thomas C. Golden of Capture Higher Ed, a Lexington, Ky., data firm. He sees group designations evolving into "segments of one."

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Ingrid Koester, 19, center, and other Princeton University students shooting a video, based on the Taylor Swift song "22," that welcomes the class of 2022. Orientation leaders and staff members from the office of the dean of undergraduate students were extras in the video. Credit... Mark Makela for The New York Times

Students want to navigate campus life, getting food or help, when it is convenient for them. And, yes, on their mobile devices or phones. "It's not really technology to them," said Cory Tressler, associate director of learning programs at Ohio State University, noting that the iPhone came out when most were in grade school.

It is why Ohio State this year, rather than battle device use, issued iPads to 11,000 incoming students. The school designated 42 fall courses "iPad required" (21 more will be added in the spring) and is building an app that in addition to maps and bus routes has a course planner, grades, schedules and a Get Involved feature displaying student organizations.

In the works is more customization, so when students open the app it knows which campus they are enrolled at, their major and which student groups they belong to.

Speaking to students on their terms just makes sense, said Nicole Kraft, a journalism professor at Ohio State who takes attendance via Twitter (she has separate hashtags for each of her three courses). She posts assignments on Slack, an app used in many workplaces. And she holds office hours at 10 p.m. via the video conference site Zoom, "because that is when they have questions."

Dr. Kraft does not use email for class, except to teach students how to write a "proper" one. "That is a skill they need to have," she said.

While these students are called "digital natives," they still must be taught how to use devices and apps for academic purposes, Dr. Kraft said. She's had students not know that they could use Microsoft Word on an iPad. "We make a lot of assumptions about what they know how to do."

Campuses also have been slow to recognize that this age group is not millennials, version 2.0.

"IGen has a different flavor," said Dr. Twenge of San Diego State University and author of "iGen: Why Today's Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood - and What That Means for the Rest of Us."

It is tricky to define a large part of the population. But Dr. Twenge said big data sets revealed broad psychological patterns shared by those coming of age amid defining social, cultural and economic events.

The difference between growing up in the prosperous 1990s versus seeing family members lose jobs and homes during the 2008 recession alters one's perspective, she said. It is why iGens are so focused on debt and insist that they get skills and experiences that will lead to a career.

The prevalence of school shootings and domestic terrorism has also shaped them.

"This generation defies the stereotypes of young adults," in terms of risk-taking, Dr. Twenge said. They are "more receptive to messages around safety" and less eager to get driver's licenses, and they come to college "with much less experience with sex and alcohol."

They are also more cautious when it comes to academics, fear failure and have learning preferences distinct from millennials, said Corey Seemiller, professor at Wright State University and co-author of "Generation Z Goes to College," who queried 1,200 students on 50 campuses.

"They do not like to learn in groups," favor videos over static content and like to think about information, then be walked through it to be certain they have it right.

"They want a model" and then to practice, said Dr. Seemiller, who posts samples when assigning a paper. "I'll say, 'Let's look through them and see what works.'" Having grown up with public successes and failures online, she said, students are hungry to have a big impact, yet "worry they will not live up to that expectation."

And despite their digital obsession, Dr. Seemiller's research shows this generation favors visual, face-to-face communication over texting. They are not always good at live social interaction, but they crave it. "They want authenticity and transparency," she said. "They like the idea of human beings being behind things."

As a generation that "has been sold a lot of stuff," said Dr. Seemiller, iGens are shrewd consumers of the tone and quality of communication. That's pushing colleges to focus not only on what they say, but also how they say it.

Which is what orientation leaders and staffers in Princeton's office of the dean of undergraduate students - known on social media as ODUS - have tried to master in the way they welcome the class of 2022.

Mayra Mateo of Columbus, Ohio, an incoming freshman at Ohio State University, working on the iPad given to her by the university, which issued the devices to 11,000 incoming students. The college designated many fall courses "iPad required." Credit... Jessica Phelps for The New York Times

A brainstorming session in March generated what became a Princetified cover of Taylor Swift's"22," a video with orientation leaders and ODUS staff members as extras, a cappella groups singing the score and Nicolas Chae, a sophomore, directing.

Cody Babineaux, an incoming freshman from Lafayette, La., whose video of his acceptance to Princeton has 4.6 million Twitter views, appreciated it, especially the Harvard shirt sniffed and tossed out in the first 20 seconds. "It was hilarious," he said. "It didn't try too hard."

Getting student attention and keeping it matters to administrators trying to build excitement for campus events, but also in prodding students about housing contracts and honor codes. "We are an office that enforces university standards. We can't be firing off," said Thomas Dunne, deputy dean of undergraduate students. "But you have to be animated and human-sounding. Our voice is very personal."

ODUS has become an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter with a vibe that winks, pokes, weaves in memes and slang terms like BAE (before anyone else) and on fleek (flawlessly styled), and applies hashtags with wit (a free ice cream for dropping by the ODUS office with dance moves worthy of Dean Dunne? #GetServed, #GameOfCones).

Mr. Dunne, whose Facebook page began as a student prank without his knowledge more than a decade ago, leans on staff members who include 20-somethings. One, Ian Deas, who favors Snapchat, identifies student "influencers," following them on Facebook and Instagram.

In posts, he looks for "those trendy phrases that help us stay in the conversation." When ODUS staff members respond to student posts, it amplifies their reach. "When we are being interactive, our stuff pops up in other people's feeds" and drives curiosity about "who is behind the voice."

Being social on social media attracts students who might tune out official communication. Mr. Babineaux said he and his friends noted when college posts sounded "goofy" or "like your grandfather trying to say swag."

He also notices that his generation is criticized "because we are always on our phones," which gets interpreted as being disconnected. In fact, he said, "we just have more connection with everyone all the time."

It is also how students like Mr. Babineaux learn and get information.

"Social media has helped me get a lot more prepared for Princeton," he said, adding that he has scrolled through old posts of campus ("I have never seen snow") and watched videos, including of graduation. "I thought, 'That will be on my Instagram page in four years.'"

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The iGen Shift: Colleges Are Changing to Reach the Next Generation (Published 2018)

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The newest students are transforming the way schools serve and educate them, including sending presidents and deans to Instagram and Twitter. Credit... Henning Wagenbreth They are, of course, super connected. But on their terms. Which is why college-bound iGens (Gen Zers, if you prefer) present a challenge to the grown-ups on campus eager to reach and teach them.

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When asking the generation what they want to be called, by one reader "22-year-old chairman of the Democratic Party in Lewiston, Me., wrote: “Don’t call us anything. The whole notion of cohesive generations is nonsense.” Just by reading, they don't seem that interested being called anything remotely close to "generation z"

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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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Generation Z styles dont compare close to the generations before because how open they can be. Like when jade smith wore a skirt for his prom which back then can tur heads but todays mordern world not so much because of how me we accept anyway whocalls themselves whatever gender they want. There a disticnt styles the the generation z has which are Gender-Nuterual, Neo-Rave, Rocker Redux, and Normcore

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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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TEEN TALK: Understanding how to effectively raise 'Generation Z'ers'

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TEEN TALK: Understanding how to effectively raise 'Generation Z'ers'

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Generation Z characteristic that they are always on their phones everyday of there life. Also that they are on the social media and being active on it. However, the good parts that they have more drive to make more business that are self-produced and which they start by finishing school to start it. One thing that is super important is that teens they may be active and sound all good online but they are actually depressed by how much they are on the media without having contact.

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MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) - You've likely heard of Millenials, but what about Generation Z?

They're teens born in the mid-1990s and mid-2000s and one grandmother needs advice on raising her Generation Z'ers. Family Therapist Jane Marks joined us with some tips:

Question: I am part of a new generation of grandparents who is tasked with raising my teenage grandchildren. Their parents were unfortunately lost in a car crash and the good news is that we have been involved with these children all of their lives. However, please give me your sense of what this Z Generation means. I hear them talk about this all of the time. But I want to make sure that we are clear about what it means to be part of this generation. For us it is a learning curve, but we would be interested in your thoughts.

Answer: That's an interesting question. Most researchers now define Generation Z as that population born between 1995 and 2014. In order words, from the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Interestingly, this includes up to 25% of the US population making it one of the largest segments of the population to date. It is an interesting demographic. Typically, this is what we hear about the Generation Z characteristics:

1. Generation Z uses smart phones 15.4 hours per week, more than any other type of device. They consume approximately 13 hours of television, which means they spend more time on their smart phones than they do on TV. This is different for most grandparents who are monitoring TV viewing.

2. Generation Z differs from the past generation of Millennials in that they tend to be better multi-taskers, in school they will create a document on their school computer, do research on their phone or their tablets while taking notes on a notepad. They can quickly and efficiently shift between work and play.

3. These teens tend to be less focused. They live in a world of continuous updates. Generation Z processes information faster than any other generation thanks to apps like Snapchat and Vine, thus their attention span might be significantly lower than millennials. Grandparents need to be fully educated on Snapchat, Instagram and social networks like Vine. Teens tend to respond to these sites often and quickly.

4. Generation Z is a generation that is full of early starters. More employers predict that teens between the ages of 16 and 18 will go straight into the workplace opting out of traditional routes of higher education and instead finishing high school online.

5. Gen Z likes to figure things out on their own. They tend to be more entrepreneurial. Gen Z acts more from an entrepreneurial perspective. They desire more independent work, more independent work environments and as a matter of fact when you survey teens, 72% of them now say they want to start their own businesses.

6. Generation Z's were born social. In fact, nearly 90% of Generation Z has a digital footprint. Arguably, as a result of the celebrities and media they follow. Generation Z seeks uniqueness in all walks of life, primarily through the brands. So many teens are about the business of branding themselves.

7. Generation Z is more global. Millennials were considered the first global generation with the development of the internet, but this Generation Z have become more global in their thinking and their interactions. When you interview Generation Z they are very honest about not only their looking at the world in a global way, but they will also be more honest about their addictions to digital services, i.e., computer, smart phone. They say that that is truly a part of their lives and feel a tremendous loss when they are not connected in some way to the internet or their phones.

8. Research shows that Generation Z's students self-identity demonstrates loyalty, compassion, thoughtful, open minded, responsible and determined.

9. Generation Z tends to be extremely revolutionary when it comes to entrepreneurial prospects. And that is because they have access to social media platforms, website builders, 3D printers and drop shipping platforms that provide them with opportunities to start a business at a very young age. The internet has provided a store front for Generation Z to sell their items to people around the world, which is happening.

10. Grandparents need to be mindful of that Generation Z is prone to more loneliness because of their connectiveness to social media. So as grandparents, it is important that you put into place opportunities for church attendances, friendship building, experiences that nurture communication because it is such an easy access for them to use simply social media.

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TEEN TALK: Understanding how to effectively raise 'Generation Z'ers'

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MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) - You've likely heard of Millenials, but what about Generation Z? They're teens born in the mid-1990s and mid-2000s and one grandmother needs advice on raising her Generation Z'ers. Family Therapist Jane Marks joined us with some tips: Question: I am part of a new generation of grandparents who is tasked with raising my teenage grandchildren.

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The generation Z community is more thoughtful that is all cracked up to be because that they think more and have more creative than the generation that was before them and it is good to think in a creative way. The way to speak with them is not in a superior way but more in a way where the teacher and the student are equally have the same level status of what they are thinking.

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How to Speak 'Generation Z' | Justin Shaifer | TEDxYouth@UrsulineAcademy

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New Britain School Leaders to Teachers: To take a Fresh look at Generation Z pupils 

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New Britain School Leaders to Teachers: To take a Fresh look at Generation Z pupils 

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By observing the students a part of this generation they learn differently by how much they educate themselves through YouTube or through different social b=media it might be hard to understand them but they can still learn in a classroom with different alternatives like more hand-on learning.

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The teenagers and children of Generation Z are by and large thrifty, dislike debt and form a surprisingly big part of their self-image from social media, researcher Curt Steinhorst said.

They're likely to use YouTube to learn a new skill, run their day-to-day finances through the Venmo app, and will seek out opinions of friends or highly-ranked online commenters rather than experts.

"Generation Z has a radically different understanding of authority, and the average age when they get a smartphone is 10.3 years old," Steinhorst told nearly 1,000 New Britain teachers and classroom aides Wednesday morning. "Generation Z is more frugal and more realistic about entry-level jobs. They stood on the shoulders of the millennials sand said, 'We don't want to be like them.' "

Understanding those kinds of differences is vital to educating Generation Z youngsters, Steinhorst said.

All three generations of teachers who will begin a new school year Thursday morning can benefit from understanding how today's students learn differently - and view the world differently - than millennials, Generation X or Baby Boomers, he said.

Superintendent Nancy Sarra has declared 2018-19 a transition year for New Britain schools, with new schedules, class offerings and teacher assignments all aimed at emphasizing five core areas: science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

New Britain, one of the state's poorest cities, has been plagued for years with disappointing student test scores. Sarra last winter announced a district-wide overhaul designed to emphasize collaborative teaching, and the convocation Wednesday morning focused on encouraging teachers and other staff to embrace change.

"Some changes may excite you, some may make you nervous," said Shelly Bjorklund, the district's teacher of the year. "If we continue to teach today as we did yesterday, we will not be able to change tomorrow."

Sarra called on the faculty and staff to have "a willingness to be vulnerable," saying the only way to improve performance is to take risks and try new strategies.

"Our critical indicators tell us what we've been doing isn't working," Sarra said. "It's time to try something new."

Sarra said she is trying to do the same thing she's asking of teachers. She acknowledged that there was widespread dissatisfaction with how her administration communicated news of the initiatives last spring; the redesign required the transfer of about 100 teachers, and many said they weren't consulted early enough.

"I could try to deflect that and say, 'They're just out to get me,' but deflecting is a shield that keeps us protected. I'm going to get better at communication this year," she promised the crowd.

"We can learn together. Collectively, we have the answers. Individually, we need to make the change," she said.

Two major school union leaders said they want everyone to cooperate with the overhaul, but conceded it won't be easy.

"I'm asking you to walk forward with us," said Mark Fernandes, president of the administrators' union. "We will survive and we will succeed."

Sal Escobales, head of the teachers' union, said he and many other staff members have an extra level of investment in success: their children attend New Britain schools.

"Change is hard and disagreements will always be there. I have never had a problem with the redesign and transformation," he said. "We'll get through this and we'll work things out."

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New Britain School Leaders To Teachers: Take A Fresh Look At Generation Z Pupils

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The teenagers and children of Generation Z are by and large thrifty, dislike debt and form a surprisingly big part of their self-image from social media, researcher Curt Steinhorst said. They're likely to use YouTube to learn a new skill, run their day-to-day finances through the Venmo app, and will seek out opinions of friends or highly-ranked online commenters rather than experts.

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This was perspective of a teacher who was teaching a class full of Gen Zr's and to her surprise they knew more than she did even taught her some things as well as the school year when by. She did witness the good and the bad, like how most of them were dealing with depression or something related bad happening in there life.To her, Generation has a new perspective on life unlike the previous generation.

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I recently spent four months in the classroom with the first wave of Generation Z students to reach the shores of the university where I teach.

After innocently referring to them at the beginning of the semester as "Millenials," they quickly corrected me: "We're Generation Z!" my students declared, loudly and definitively. Fifty college freshmen-born at the turn of the century-then spent the next 15 weeks schooling this Gen-Xer about what the dawn of a new universe looks like.

Here are the basics: Generation Z was raised by my fellow Gen-Xers on a steady diet of smartphones, video games, Bush 43, SpongeBob, Obama, hashtags, and emoticons in a post-September 11th era. The late 20th Century-Reagan, "Like a Virgin," rotary phones, The Breakfast Club, Gulf War, Grunge, Princess Diana, Columbine, and the first iteration of the Clintons, et al-is ancient history to them. And their coming of age and adulthood will forever be demarcated as before and after Trump v. Hillary.

But what I would learn about Gen-Z goes so much deeper, more to the heart of this generation than anything that can be explained by the latest polls, studies, surveys, and stereotypes that are attempting to entrap these young people in a defined square. Newsflash: For starters, Gen-Z refuses to be boxed in like a bunch of lab rats, come hell or high water, literally. They very mindfully live outside the box, partly by choice and partly because many have been tossed out there to fend for themselves.

As a curious professor faced with this new generation of students, I made a radical decision: I decided to meet these students where they are, and to help them to rise from there. Instead of the tired route taken by many of my colleagues across the educational landscape-more traditional educators mired in the way it's always been done -and other adults, who choose to reach down from lofty perches to young people and drag them upward, screaming and kicking. That old system of rearing the future no longer suffices, if it ever did, now headed the way of the dinosaurs.

The clear and present warning to those of us in front of the classroom today: This is a new generation, so new rules and no turning back. Either get with the program or else you'll be tumbled out of the way in a ball of frustration, alienated by your own biased mind, and choked by your own stubborn ego. Your choice.

My ground rules for this contemporary meeting of the minds between myself and Gen-Z students were simple: In my classroom, you have the freedom to express whatever you want, honestly and respectfully, right, left, middle, whatever. Mistakes are okay, just be sure to learn from them. And, above all, make your voices heard, starting right here, right now!

Exactly where is the home turf upon which I chose to meet Generation Z?

Admittedly, I'm continuing to digest what I witnessed during those four months, but I can report: I met Gen-Z in a hopeful, albeit gritty and sometimes murky, place, and ultimately, I discovered, it's a launching pad fueled by talent and bravado. Two of the students are determined to be U.S. Senators one day; others have already started developing their own video games; another is a self-taught artist despite her parents forcing her into a more "practical" major; a few want to write books; one young woman aims to champion Civil Rights; another is already a firefighter; others are pre-med and pre-law and environmental warriors and budding CSI's; a few are gloriously undecided and content with that . . . You get my point. They dream it AND they know it's possible-this knowing sets them apart.

Gen-Z's home turf is also a place that simultaneously broke my heart and lifted my spirit toward the brightest percolations of the days to come.

Throughout the course of the semester, I assigned reflection papers and presentations, as channels of introspection and expression. Then I sat back and held my breath, waiting.

When their words-written and spoken-were finally shared, I knew instantly I had tapped into the heart of Generation Z. Into something extraordinary and spectacular. Into first-seen harbors, as my favorite poet Cavafy chimes in "Ithaca."

My 50 students wrote and spoke eloquently and frankly about suicide attempts; eating disorders; discrimination and harassment and bullying; deadbeat parents who have kicked them out; the jobs they have taken on to be the breadwinners for their families; abuse-physical, sexual, and emotional; mental conditions-depression, anxiety, ADHD; tragic losses of beloved parents and grandparents, and best friends, in the most horrendous ways-head-on collisions, suicide, abandonment.

Note the plurality of each challenge above. These, and more, each became themes shared by multiple students. One student best summarized the lot: For a long time, I thought life hated me.

These snapshots of their lives took my breath away.

My students spoke in raw terms of being dragged through the fires of hell. BUT -and this is a big, powerful transition point that makes all the difference when it comes to Gen-Z-they also wrote and spoke about how they have traversed through the darkness and hellfire, how they have come out on the other side battered and torn and scarred, but victoriously intact, stronger, and enlightened. They, at age 18, embody a level of transformation, self-awareness, and maturity that has taken me more than four decades to achieve.

Reading essay after essay and hearing speech after speech, a stunning portrait of Generation Z emerged: Determined, tough, sentimental, optimistic, and compassionate survivors. I grinned ear to ear, my heart lit up in a million different directions.

I quickly became Generation Z's #1 fan. Home turf for Gen-Z is now a place woven into my soul and inked upon my mind.

Sure, it's also a place where I decided early on to not bat an eye at the students fidgeting with their cell phones and laptops during class, showing up a few minutes late, or taking an unexcused personal day every now and then-these things are simply a case of adapting and choosing your battles wisely. New generation, new rules for us educators: evolve or be left behind in the dust. Do we want to inspire or crack knuckles with wooden rulers? For me, the choice is a no-brainer.

My job as a professor became clear then: To thank these young people for their honesty. To let them know just how momentous and impactful that honesty is when they reveal their stories and then share their hearts on their sleeves, sending out ripples of light into the world. And, right up until our final moments together at semester's end, I pleaded with them to please- please -continue sharing their voices, be it through their spoken words, pens, or actions.

I think of how the beginning of the universe has been described: Big Bang culled from the expansion of scorching temperatures and extreme density, a cosmic tension between darkness and light, all resulting in a new and miraculous creation, at once explainable but still laden with an air of mystery.

I nod and smile, knowingly.

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I recently spent four months in the classroom with the first wave of Generation Z students to reach the shores of the university where I teach. After innocently referring to them at the beginning of the semester as "Millenials," they quickly corrected me: "We're Generation Z!" my students declared, loudly and definitively.

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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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The Generation Z has a more effect on economy but in a good way by how much they are frugal; however, the Millennial didn't have worries about the economy but they did have worries for the health industries. Both Generations are subject to something that have the good parts but also the bad.

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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, 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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Gen Z Artists Are Making Queer Posters For Your Local Public Bathrooms

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Gen Z Artists Are Making Queer Posters For Your Local Public Bathrooms

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since this generation is following a line where gender doesn't matter and anyone can be what they want; however the dark side to is that restrooms aren't being fair to those who are are queer or a different gender that they identify themselves. artist that are apart of this generation Z groups wants make a positive impact of the this sign that has been with us for a long time.

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Lawmakers are currently targeting trans and gender-nonconforming youth with what have become known as "bathroom bills," aimed at preventing people from using the public facilities that correspond with their gender identities.

But Generation Z ― the demographic a step below Millennials on the age scale ― is on the front lines of the fight to end gender-based discrimination for good.

An initiative called Arts Not Parts, launched last week, hopes to resist ongoing attempts to police bathroom habits. The project uses a variety of handmade posters to advocate for the liberty and safety of gender-nonconforming youth ― and their right to use the damn bathroom without being monitored.

According to Nylon, the campaign was founded by the Gen Z-run studio Irregular Labs and a teenage girl named Grey. The idea, as explained on the initiative's website, is to "use creativity to combat contempt":

Our hope is that Arts Not Parts serves as a reminder that we all have a choice to collectively say Hell No! to bigotry, hatred and intolerance. Neither your parents, your principal nor your president can take that away from you."

Over 45 artists, organizations and activists submitted a poster to the cause, each in some way celebrating freedom, difference or the simple act of taking a piss. Participants include the musician Sia, photographer Cass Bird and artist Hunter Schafer.

Schafer, an 18-year-old high school student from North Carolina, has spoken out about the injustice of bathroom bills. "Every time I use a public bathroom, I have to make a choice," she wrote for Teen Vogue. "Do I break the law, or do I disregard my comfort and face the risk of harassment and violence?"

All posters are currently available on the Arts Not Parts website for free download. Everyone is encouraged to print out their favorites and hang them up in any bathrooms they so choose, transforming potentially hostile environments into safer (and far better looking) spaces.

Currently, 16 states across the U.S. pose a threat to the rights of transgender Americans.

Most prominently, North Carolina's HB2, signed into law last year, banned people from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identities. Although the controversial bill was technically repealed in March, the annulment does little to actually improve the lives of at-risk gender-nonconforming youth. The compromise signed into place when HB2 was repealed was swiftly and harshly criticized by LGBTQ groups for "doubling down on the discrimination that HB2 exacts," as Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC, told HuffPost.

Next month, Texas and potentially Washington will attempt to pass similar measures of their own. Washington's initiative I-1552 enforce the segregation of multi-stall restrooms in public schools by birth-assigned sex. Similarly, Texas' bill would require Texans to use the public bathroom that corresponds to the gender listed on their birth certificate.

Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wyoming are also drafting laws to limit the rights of transgender individuals.

Take a look at some of the Arts Not Parts posters ready for download below:
CORRECTION: An earlier edition of this article mistakenly said Hunter Schafer was from Northern California. We regret the error.

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Hang These Glorious Trans Activist Posters In Your Local Public Bathrooms

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Lawmakers are currently targeting trans and gender-nonconforming youth with what have become known as "bathroom bills," aimed at preventing people from using the public facilities that correspond with their gender identities. But Generation Z ― the demographic a step below Millennials on the age scale ― is on the front lines of the fight to end gender-based discrimination for good.

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A millennial 'Shark Tank' entrepreneur who coaches teens for the SAT says adults don't realize what sets Gen Z apart

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A millennial 'Shark Tank' entrepreneur who coaches teens for the SAT says adults don't realize what sets Gen Z apart

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They explain the Generation Z is really interested in the business industry and they are opened minded about learning it and how to be successful to society even thought we are at a time where everything is getting difficult to get a job because their are so many people who are competing

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Generation Z, the generation born after 1997, differs from millennials when it comes to how they use social media.

Shaan Patel, the founder of SAT tutoring company Prep Expert, said adults don't realize how Generation Z is able to balance its use of technology and social media.

Teenagers today are also more eager to become entrepreneurs than the previous generation, Patel said.

Today's teenagers are often accused of being obsessed with social media.

But one entrepreneur who works with them says adults aren't seeing the full picture.

Shaan Patel, the founder of the SAT tutoring company Prep Expert, has worked with thousands of high schoolers through his mix of live and online video courses since 2011.

In seven years, Patel's customers have gone from the oldest of the millennial generation to the youngest members of Generation Z, defined as those born after 1997.

Although there's no questioning Generation Z's prolific use of social media, Patel said teens today are better than adults at knowing when to put the phone aside.

"My worry has always been that you become very distracted with social media," Patel told Business Insider. "I think Generation Z, at least the students taking our courses, have learned how to balance that maybe better than adults, like social media addiction and things like that. They are so focused on these tests, they are able to learn online and they don't get distracted."

"They are really, really savvy about when to use technology and when to not, and I don't think we give them enough credit for that."

Another big difference Patel noticed between his older and younger students was in their prospective career choices. Today's high schoolers, he said, take their inspiration from entrepreneurs like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, not to mention shows like " Shark Tank" that reward entrepreneurs who build businesses from the ground up.

"Seven years ago, almost everyone wanted to become a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, something like that. Today, entrepreneurs are becoming the rock stars of society," Patel told Business Insider.

"What's really, really interesting to me is all these kids are learning coding, learning about technology, they want to start their own companies, they want to become an entrepreneur."

On that front, Patel can relate to his Generation Z students. He's an entrepreneur himself, of course, and he even went on a 2016 episode of "Shark Tank" to pitch Prep Expert, earning a $250,000 deal from Mark Cuban.

Patel's experience getting his company off the ground helps him relate to his Generation Z students, he said.

"As a millennial, I was never encouraged to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career path growing up," he said.

And his No. 1 piece of advice for the younger students he tutors? No matter what the examples of Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates suggest, don't drop out of college.

"They are the exception, not the rule. I tell kids to continue to work on their business while pursuing their education," he said.

Not only did Patel stay in school, he recently earned both an MBA and a medical degree, and makes time for his business while he does his dermatology residency at Temple University.

"Generation Z student entrepreneurs are primed for success if they stay in school as they launch their businesses."

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A millennial 'Shark Tank' entrepreneur who coaches teens for the SAT says adults don't realize what sets Gen Z apart

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Generation Z, the generation born after 1997, differs from millennials when it comes to how they use social media. Shaan Patel, the founder of SAT tutoring company Prep Expert, said adults don't realize how Generation Z is able to balance its use of technology and social media.

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When it comes to marketing to the teen of today you have to get their attention if you want them to buy your item also making sure that it is an item that want and need. There are 12 different ways from Telling truth about the product, work with people like them and treat s u would treat a strong individual.

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Forbes CommunityVoice Connecting expert communities to the Forbes audience. What is This?

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Opinions expressed within Forbes are those of the participating individuals.

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Forbes Communications Council

Communications, PR, public affairs & media relations executives from Forbes Communications Council share firsthand insights.

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Generation Z is now coming of age and they've got a lot of buying power. But marketing to them isn't easy, because marketing to this generation is unlike the ones before them. Since they are digital natives, their approach to buying is very different.

We asked members of the Forbes Communications Council how best to market toward Generation Z. Their answers vary but all are centered on making sure that you fully understand this generation before committing a lot of resources to persuade them to purchase goods and services.
1. Get Their Attention 2. Tell The Truth 3. Work With Influencers
Win over Gen Z consumers by working with a diverse variety of influencers that represent their core values: sustainability, equal representation, rebellion and humor. There is one caveat: the one-off, #adstyle partnerships are out. Don't risk a shallow narrative; cultivate genuine, long-term relationships with content creators to ensure the type of storytelling campaign that Gen Zers love. - Nicolas Miachon, Upfluence Inc.
4. Treat Them As Individuals 5. Be Where They Are 6. Practice What You Preach 7. Focus On Marketing To Values 8. Start By Knowing You Don't Know Anything 9. Provide Digitally Native Experiences 10. Be Transparent 11. Tell Your Story 12. Convey A Meaningful Story

Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only, fee-based organization for senior-level communications and public relations executives. Find out if you qualify at forbescommcouncil.com/qualify

©2018 Forbes Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Forbes CommunityVoice Connecting expert communities to the Forbes audience. What is This? Forbes allows professional fee-based membership groups ("communities") to connect directly with the Forbes audience by enabling them to create content - and participate in the conversation - on the Forbes digital publishing platform. Each topic-based is produced and managed by the group.

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Generation Z characteristics: 5 infographics on the Gen Z lifestyle

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Generation Z characteristics: 5 infographics on the Gen Z lifestyle

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The percentage between the two generation is different by how much they use one thing or another like phones or T.V. Also that how much the job market is doing with both generations and how the performance is

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Just when many companies are finally starting to understand millennials, a new generation is starting to emerge. Generation Z-people who were born from 1995 onwards-is making its presence known as people from this generation are starting to enter the workforce and earning their own income.

Marketers and market researchers still have a lot of work to do to deepen their understanding of this generation. Here are five infographics that paint a picture of the Gen Z landscape.

1.Their media consumption habits differ from previous generations-even millennials.

In 2015, Vision Critical conducted an exclusive study that exposes the changing media consumption habits of younger consumers. While Gen Z follows millennials closely, these two generations are not entirely identical when it comes to the social media networks they visit, the devices they use and how much TV content they consume.

Some notable stats about the Generation Z characteristics from the infographic:

On average, Gen Z uses their smartphones 15.4 hours per week-more than any other type of device.

Gen Z consume 13.2 hours of TV content per week-significantly less than boomers and Gen X.

There has been a 41 percent increase in the use of ad-blocking software in the past 12 months.

2. They prefer cool products over cool experiences.

Many studies have suggested that millennials are looking for great experiences, not great products. But the same is not necessarily true for Gen Z. This infographic from Deep Focus shows that Gen Z's expectations from the brands they buy from differ from what millennials are looking for.

3. Entrepreneurial and tech-savvy are two Generation Z characteristics.

What makes the Gen Z employee tick? The infographic below, produced by NextGeneration Recruitment, outlines the differences between Gen Z, Gen Y and Gen X, and highlights why employers should continue to build their understanding of each group.

4. They respond to edgy campaigns.

Traditional marketing doesn't work for Gen Z. Marketers need to embrace technology and new ways of storytelling. According to an infographic from Upfront Analytics, Gen Z customers respond to edgy and visual marketing tactics. Videos-especially short ones like those created via the social network Vine-work particularly well with young customers.

5. They want to co-create culture-and they do.

In 2015, the market research firm Wildness conducted a study on 12 to 24 year olds in the U.S. The company's top conclusion? This "post-internet generation" doesn't simply consume entertainment-they help create and shape it.

From the infographic:
What we've uncovered in our research is that this is a generation of CCs (Culture Creators) that are redefining entertainment, consumption, the workplace and marketing. The CCs are empowered, connected, empathetic self-starters that want to stand out and make a difference in the world. They have created a new Cultural Currency that values uniqueness, authenticity, creativity, shareability and recognition. What's different for this generation is not as simple as the internet or technology. Technology is an important component, but what's changed is this generation's relationship with culture.
The study revealed that 80 percent of Gen Z say finding themselves creatively is important. Over 25 percent post original video on a weekly basis, while 65 percent enjoy creating and sharing content on social media.
Conclusion
These infographics reiterate the need to engage with and understand Gen Z -an increasingly important group of customers who will help to shape the future. As Gen Zs enter the workforce and their purchasing power increases, companies can't afford to act within conventional assumptions or generational frameworks. A deeper understanding of Gen Z customers-one that is rooted in continuous, two-way dialogue -is required to deliver products, services and experiences that this elusive and evolving generation is looking for.

If you liked this article, you might like:

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Generation Z characteristics: 5 infographics on the Gen Z lifestyle

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Just when many companies are finally starting to understand millennials, a new generation is starting to emerge. Generation Z-people who were born from 1995 onwards-is making its presence known as people from this generation are starting to enter the workforce and earning their own income.

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The generation Z usually realizes on YouTube or the internet when they are looking for and item. For Millennial they gain trust to what they are going to buy because of how good it is. In the day in age both generations think differently than the generation before them. It all involves how they understanding works between two groups when it comes to shopping or a day to day life of what people do.

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The effect that has on the generation that it has on the retail industry is that it must attract the crowd and even when it comes to online, we, teens has expected things to come on time and has to be what they have chosen. Also in a working environment generation is expected to work hard for what they want in life.

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Teens explaining the struggle of being identified as a generation who is lazy and that only is involved in the media but to it comes with a dark reality that teens are being judge on how society puts them to be and that they question so much about themselves if that the picture you see on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter or maybe others, could be them. Technology has taken a hold of teens in our generation which is why they feel what they feel.

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3 fundamental ways Generation Z differs from Millennials

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3 fundamental ways Generation Z differs from Millennials

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Generation Z has different fundamentals and it is explained in 3 way. Jobs, Giving back, and being equal.

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3 fundamental ways Generation Z differs from Millennials

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The teens shown here explain what they have heard about their generation and what sort of image that the generation they have produced in such a that the other generations didn't before there time.