New York City, NY – Generation Z, the cohort that grew up during the pandemic, is facing numerous hardships as they enter adulthood. The challenges range from disrupted graduation ceremonies to a labor market plagued by recession. Additionally, many Gen Z individuals are finding it difficult to afford housing and are consequently forced to live with their parents. These struggles have caught the attention of various public figures, including actress and comedian Joy Behar, who recently dismissed the notion that Gen Z faces unique obstacles.
During a segment on ABC News’ “The View,” Behar, alongside her millennial co-host Alyssa Farah, discussed the fears and concerns of Gen Z. Farah highlighted the difficulties young people face in the current economic climate, such as being unable to buy homes due to soaring prices. She also mentioned that a significant portion of those aged 18 to 29 still live with their parents, feeling left behind by the economy. However, Behar did not sympathize with these challenges and instead responded with a dismissive comment: “Oh please, get a job. There’s a million job openings in this country!”
Behar is not the only host of “The View” to express criticism towards Gen Z. Whoopi Goldberg, another co-host, previously suggested that young people do not work as hard as previous generations. She claimed that if they only want to work for a few hours, it will be more challenging for them to achieve homeownership. This sentiment is echoed by other public figures, such as Jodie Foster, who complained about Gen Z’s grammar and punctuality in the workplace.
Experts caution against attributing negative stereotypes to an entire generation based on isolated incidents or gimmicky generalizations. Monica McCoy, CEO and founder of global consultancy Monica Motivates, emphasizes the dangers of such biases and calls for a deeper understanding of the influences on different generations’ thinking and behavior.
Contrary to dismissive criticisms, research consistently demonstrates that Gen Z is facing unique challenges compared to their parents. Affording a home at the median price of $433,100 requires an annual income of approximately $166,600. However, the median household earns just $74,580, according to Home Bay, a brokerage firm that analyzed Census data. This disparity has resulted in young workers having to hold down multiple jobs to cope with the rising cost of living.
Behar’s comments on “The View” received backlash from viewers, many of whom took to social media to express their frustration. Some criticized Behar for not recognizing the greater financial difficulties faced by Gen Z and millennials, while others pointed out that younger generations would have a chance to succeed once older generations retire.
In conclusion, Gen Z’s struggles are real and should not be dismissed or generalized. The challenges they face, whether in terms of housing affordability or the job market, deserve attention and consideration. Rather than perpetuating stereotypes and criticism, a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles faced by young people today is necessary to address the systemic issues at hand.