Why Millennials and Gen Z Hate Boomers

Summary

In this video, SUNY psychologist Karla Vermeulen discusses her book 'Generation Disaster: Coming of Age Post 9/11,' focusing on the unique struggles of Millennials and Gen Z. These generations, raised amid crises like financial collapses, wars, and the looming threat of climate change, experience heightened stress and anxiety. Vermeulen highlights the effects of school lockdown drills, the existential fear of environmental destruction, and the generational divide in understanding. She advocates for respectful, fact-based discussions, emphasizing the progress made in areas like poverty reduction, education, and global health, while encouraging empathy across generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Millennials and Gen Z are often described in negative terms like lazy, selfish, and ignorant, contributing to their frustration.
• 😀 Younger generations feel they've inherited problems they didn't cause, particularly economic instability and social unrest.
• 😀 Fear-based messaging, especially around terrorism and school shootings, has led to increased anxiety and depression in Millennials and Gen Z.
• 😀 Climate change is a primary source of existential anxiety for younger generations, with some even questioning the future viability of having children.
• 😀 Despite the fear around climate change, the messaging about its immediacy may be exaggerated, adding to the stress of Millennials and Gen Z.
• 😀 Younger generations have been raised to distrust their leaders, seeing the financial system as rigged to benefit the wealthy while they bear the consequences.
• 😀 Lockdown drills in schools have created heightened stress, with young children believing they may die in school shootings or other threats.
• 😀 The importance of respect and empathy in generational discussions is emphasized, with a call for older generations to listen to younger people's concerns.
• 😀 Baby Boomers should recognize the unique challenges Millennials and Gen Z face, including environmental and economic crises, which they didn’t create.
• 😀 Despite the stress faced by younger generations, there have been notable global advancements in areas like poverty reduction, education, and health.
• 😀 The generational divide can be bridged through more fact-based, empathetic communication that recognizes the progress made and the challenges ahead.

Q & A

What are some of the negative labels commonly used to describe Millennials and Gen Z, according to Karla Vermeulen?

Millennials and Gen Z are often described using labels such as lazy, entitled, stupid, selfish, dumb, crazy, lost, ignorant, spoiled, bad, sensitive, snowflake, and annoying.

What quote from a member of Generation Z is highlighted in the script to illustrate their frustration with older generations?

One quote mentioned in the script says, 'I feel like our generation has been handed a bill, for a party we didn't get to attend,' which reflects their frustration with the circumstances they face due to past actions of older generations.

What are some of the major sources of anger and stress for Millennials and Gen Z?

Major sources of anger and stress for these generations include feeling misled by their leaders, the financial system's failures, constant threats of war, the fear of terrorism, and school shootings. However, the biggest source of anxiety is the existential threat of climate change.

How does Karla Vermeulen describe the psychological impact of school shooting drills on younger generations?

Vermeulen describes the psychological impact of school shooting drills as significant, with kids experiencing heightened anxiety and even writing wills, fearing that they could die at any moment. These drills are seen as security theater, diverting attention from more immediate mental health issues.

What role does climate change play in the anxiety of younger generations?

Climate change is described as a major source of existential anxiety for Millennials and Gen Z. Many fear that the planet will be destroyed soon, with some even deciding not to have children due to concerns about the future of the Earth.

How does Vermeulen view the generational divide between Millennials/Gen Z and Baby Boomers?

Vermeulen suggests that Baby Boomers, who once fought against their own parents' views, should be able to empathize with Millennials and Gen Z, acknowledging that every generation faces challenges. She advocates for greater respect and understanding between generations.

What does Vermeulen recommend for parents of Millennials and Gen Z to better connect with them?

Vermeulen recommends that parents really listen to their children, recognize their creativity and sophistication, and take their concerns seriously because many of them are valid.

What significant progress does the script mention in terms of global social, economic, and environmental improvements?

The script highlights significant global progress, including the reduction of extreme poverty from 94% to 10%, increased education and literacy, declines in racism, sexism, and homophobia, rising global life expectancy, and the expansion of democracy.

What clarification does the script offer about the 2018 UN Climate Report?

The script clarifies that the 2018 UN Climate Report, which was often misinterpreted as claiming the world will end in 12 years, actually did not make such a claim. It emphasized the need for action, but not an imminent apocalypse.

What does the script suggest about the progress of American 30-year-olds compared to their parents?

According to policy analysts, 70% of American 30-year-olds are doing better than their parents were at the same age, challenging the narrative that younger generations are significantly worse off than previous ones.