Table of Contents
Introduction
It’s no secret: people love calling Millennials and Gen Z the “anti-work generation.” And honestly? It’s kind of true, but not for the reasons you might think.
While older generations shake their heads at our supposed laziness (which I know I am that's true 😁), the reality is much more complicated.
It’s less about us rejecting work outright and more about rejecting a system that makes work, well, miserable.
The Cost of Living
Imagine going to a store and seeing a loaf of bread for $1,000.
You’d laugh, right? Well, that’s basically what housing prices look like to us. According to the Pew Research Center, wages have barely budged over the past 40 years, even though the cost of living has skyrocketed.
Adding insult to injury, the US federal minimum wage has remained unchanged at $7.25 per hour since 2009. While inflation has driven up the cost of rent, groceries, and healthcare, wages—especially for minimum wage workers—have not kept pace.
Meanwhile, we’re told to skip our $5 oat milk lattes to save for a down payment.
Alert: skipping coffee doesn’t generate $100K.
We’re also the generation that was told, “Go to college, and you’ll be set for life.” Instead, we graduated with degrees and debt—lots and lots of debt. Meanwhile, employers expect five years of experience for entry-level jobs.
TikTok: The Rise of Short Content
TikTok has given us everything from viral dance challenges to questionable life hacks. It’s also become a symbol of our generation's desire for quick, easily digestible content. Why spend hours on a task when you can get the gist of it in a 60-second video?
Speaking of TikTok, there’s been a lot of talk about banning the app. While I don’t even use it, I believe we live in a free country where people should have the right to choose what content they consume. Banning TikTok feels like a step in the wrong direction, no matter how bad some of the content might be.
The Gig Economy Grind
Many of us are stuck in the gig economy, piecing together multiple jobs just to make ends meet. While it offers some flexibility, it often lacks benefits, stability, and the sense that you’re actually building something. We’re essentially modern-day nomads, wandering from gig to gig, hoping to find a place to rest our weary heads—and maybe afford a decent meal.
Conclusion: Demanding More from Work
I’m not against working hard. I’m against working hard for a system that doesn’t value our time, skills, or well-being.
We need a future where work is meaningful, where we can afford to live, and where we don’t have to sacrifice our mental health for a paycheck.
We’re not lazy; we’re just demanding more. And frankly, we deserve it.
Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below!
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