Gen Z

[LARTIS]

It took me months if not years to activel join zoochat, as the serious tone intimadated me. My impression was that the members seemed to have professional backgrounds, with advanced english skills no matter where they were from. Even after I had joined and confessed my autism, others with the same disability, did not seem to struggle the same issues I did. I had thoughts and ideas, but could not communicate these in the manner the plattform made a condition, what I d would understand.
With time more and more younger member started to join the forum, and I started to hope they bring characteristics gen z got known for. Among these the believe that somebdy literaly disabled like me could still be part of the conversation, even when my specific form of autism disabled me fromb both the professional and private career others had.
I do not want to bring anything down, do not want to mock, do not want violate as much as I do not want to be excluded.

I wanted to ask the members of gen z here on zoochat what they believe how our generation would handle the issues previous generations who pathed the way and we still work with?

I do not want ageism. This is in no way aimed to cause any division.

 

[Terry Thomas]

You do not seem to have a problem using English! I suggest that if you would like to say anything you should just go ahead and send it in. No matter what you have to say, there will always be someone who disagrees with you, but that's really not your problem -- it is theirs. Any comments from you are just as important as from anyone else. I am not a gen z!

 

[Sphenisciologist]

As a 15 year old I can say that a lot of people our generation have good ideas in place: A lot of us are against racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia and many other issues. But like other generations we too struggle with igorant and close-minded people, the only difference is that back then racism and other issues were accepted and now the same situation wouldn’t happen today. Also someone being openly gay in the 70’s would be totally different to now, at least here in the U.S..
With that said, our generation also lacks a lot of of passion and enthusiasm for important topics, with animal conservation and zoology being one of them. I can’t think of one person I know in real life that has the same passion of wildlife and animal conservation as I do.
At the end of the day, there’s a lot of potential: but there’s areas that we lack in passion and could definitely work on.

 

[Great Argus]

Prefacing this to say I am not pointing this at anyone on the site: I am not pointing fingers or intending to call anyone out. I do however have a few things I want to say as someone just before Gen Z.

As a 15 year old I can say that a lot of people our generation have good ideas in place: A lot of us are against racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia and many other issues.

These negative ideas do still exist even among your generation - I still hear stories of teasing and bullying at schools related to such topics. These ideas also are not unique to your generation, they are highly prevalent as considered unacceptable in mine as well. It is important to recognize that all of the above are problems that still are widely circulated, even if acceptance that they are bad has been improving for most of them. Hopefully that came across how I intended.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot of potential: but there’s areas that we lack in passion and could definitely work on

Again, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here. Most gen Z I've met are rude, often insensitive, and you can barely pry many of them off their devices. They are quickly gaining a reputation in the workforce for being lazy, unreliable, insubordinate, whiny, and not worth hiring. Not all of them are like that of course, but that is the increasing opinion of gen Z in my experience. Each generation has its own problems, but Z is definitely an interesting one...

 

[Sphenisciologist]

They are quickly gaining a reputation in the workforce for being lazy, unreliable, insubordinate, whiny, and not worth hiring. Not all of them are like that of course, but that is the increasing opinion of gen Z in my experience. Each generation has its own problems, but Z is definitely an interesting one...

This is true but I think that we also need to consider the toll previous generations have caused Gen Z to become the way that they are. Not excusing lazy workers here and I’m not saying that they are entirely the victim here, by any means. If you don’t do your job in the workplace you need to hold yourself accountable, no matter what generation you’re from but a lot of the older generations like the parents from Gen X have severe lack of understanding of what it’s like to be a teenager today, they know almost nothing about the social environment presented at schools and the amount of standards people are expected to live up to. Because of this, parents start to feel anger about something they don’t understand and it starts to effect a lot of Gen Z’s home lives. I can’t express the amount of people I know who’s parents will gaslight them, make them feel terrible about who they are or their bodies or sometimes even resort to physical violence. I definitely agree that a lot of Gen Z is entitled and lazy but when I typed that message I was trying to come from a place of understanding, and I do think a lot of Gen Z shares good ideas in their minds but they are not good at expressing it or taking action. But like you said there are those who belong at the bottom of the barrel.

 

[MonkeyBat]

As a 15 year old I can say that a lot of people our generation have good ideas in place: A lot of us are against racism, ableism, sexism, homophobia and many other issues. But like other generations we too struggle with igorant and close-minded people, the only difference is that back then racism and other issues were accepted and now the same situation wouldn’t happen today.

I don't want to get political, and forgive me if this is getting away from the conversation, but these ideas are still prevalent amongst our generation. I'm an openly gay sixteen year old from rural Iowa. While my friends are all extremely supportive of me, I still deal with homophobia, name calling, and exclusion from things due to my orientation amongst my classmates and on sports teams. I also go to a school where racism is prevalent, whether my peers want to admit it or not, a lot of them are ignorant people who still participate in the subject whether it be racist comments or saying slurs. I'm not trying to be rude to you or anything, but please understand that just because our generation is more accepting of people doesn't mean that racism, sexism, ableism, LGBT+ discrimination, ect. doesn't exist and isn't still prevalent.

As to answer the original question, I can agree with you @LARTIS in that it was definitely intimidating for me going the site when I was around 13. It's a pretty professional forum with a collection of highly experienced members who have talking about this stuff since before I was born. I try my best to remain professional on the site, and hopefully offer a younger, more "hip with the teens" perspective of things, I know that is not always the case and I'm sure people on the forum have been or are annoyed by me sometimes. Not calling anyone out, but as a general note for all Gen Z on the website, we need to try to stay professional and respectful as I know older members on the site often can find us immature. I think have perspectives from all ages is important, and acting immature on the site can diminish our opinions as a whole. Once again, I am not calling out any specific people, just the community as a whole on the site.

 

[Sphenisciologist]

I don't want to get political, and forgive me if this is getting away from the conversation, but these ideas are still prevalent amongst our generation. I'm an openly gay sixteen year old from rural Iowa. While my friends are all extremely supportive of me, I still deal with homophobia, name calling, and exclusion from things due to my orientation amongst my classmates and on sports teams. I also go to a school where racism is prevalent, whether my peers want to admit it or not, a lot of them are ignorant people who still participate in the subject whether it be racist comments or saying slurs. I'm not trying to be rude to you or anything, but please understand that just because our generation is more accepting of people doesn't mean that racism, sexism, ableism, LGBT+ discrimination, ect. doesn't exist and isn't still prevalent.

That is NOT what I was trying to do or say at all. I am in the LGBT community myself, I also go to a very traditional school and probably hear/heard the F-slur at least once a day. I deal with the same situation with sports (my mom asking me why I don’t want to join track, football etc.). I was not in any way saying it doesn’t exist still. It’s still very real especially in the U.S.. They are prevalent but at the same time being much more heavily called out than they used to be. In simpler terms, the problem has been more addressed and is crystal clear but no solution has been obtained.

 

[Sphenisciologist]

As to answer the original question, I can agree with you @LARTIS in that it was definitely intimidating for me going the site when I was around 13. It's a pretty professional forum with a collection of highly experienced members who have talking about this stuff since before I was born. I try my best to remain professional on the site, and hopefully offer a younger, more "hip with the teens" perspective of things, I know that is not always the case and I'm sure people on the forum have been or are annoyed by me sometimes. Not calling anyone out, but as a general note for all Gen Z on the website, we need to try to stay professional and respectful as I know older members on the site often can find us immature. I think have perspectives from all ages is important, and acting immature on the site can diminish our opinions as a whole. Once again, I am not calling out any specific people, just the community as a whole on the site.

Sorry for replying again but I agree here again. Even now I still get intimidated, every time I get that notification that “______ quoted your post” always gives me that little tickle in my stomach. It’s worth noting we are still very young, I assume a lot of the people on this site are older than us and probably have been in the zoological field themselves that we haven’t had access to due to our age. I would say a lot of us on here do our best to be respectful and maintain professionalism. We all have probably said things we regret and wish we could delete, myself included, but it’s not worth silencing yourself or making yourself feel bad about it.

 

[HungarianBison]

As a member of Gen Z (I'm 16) I don't think our generation is better (or worse) than other generations. While I don't necessarily share the political opinion of the majority of people here, I have to admit that Gen Z are more socially conscious and interested in politics than the earlier generations in general, and that's a good thing. However, Gen Z are often accused for being addicted to phones, which is true sometimes (for example I sit about 6-7 hours per day next to some kind of screen and I think it's too much).
As for ZooChat, it's great to have so many teenage zoo enthusiasts here. I hope that we aren't too annoying and most of us are mature enough to be regarded as knowledgeable users of this site by older members

 

[Great Argus]

but a lot of the older generations like the parents from Gen X have severe lack of understanding of what it’s like to be a teenager today, they know almost nothing about the social environment presented at schools and the amount of standards people are expected to live up to. Because of this, parents start to feel anger about something they don’t understand and it starts to effect a lot of Gen Z’s home lives. I can’t express the amount of people I know who’s parents will gaslight them, make them feel terrible about who they are or their bodies or sometimes even resort to physical violence.

I think this is something that has largely always been true, leading to the stereotype of the rebellious teen years. It's unfortunate there tends to be such a disjunct between parents and teens, but it's common... I really don't think you can claim it as particularly distinct to gen Z. Though too gen Z tends to be easily offended and whiny, which doesn't help. I've heard a lot of stories of Z being sent home or fired for not being willing to push through hard situations.

If you don’t do your job in the workplace you need to hold yourself accountable, no matter what generation you’re from

The problem is many from your generation - though especially from the more recent entries to the workforce - are not interested in being held accountable for anything.

Even now I still get intimidated, every time I get that notification that “______ quoted your post” always gives me that little tickle in my stomach

Inserts "Great Argus" into blank
No intentions to intimidate, just to be clear.

It’s worth noting we are still very young, I assume a lot of the people on this site are older than us and probably have been in the zoological field themselves that we haven’t had access to due to our age.

I know a lot of people that had access into the zoo field by your age - so not too strong an excuse there. I do take into account age when I criticize spec zoos in particular - I certaintly don't expect you to know everything but I do expect you can read and copy from care manuals.

I would say a lot of us on here do our best to be respectful and maintain professionalism.

Most of you do okay until you get into the Zoo Cafe subforum.

As for ZooChat, it's great to have so many teenage zoo enthusiasts here. I hope that we aren't too annoying and most of us are mature enough to be regarded as knowledgeable users of this site by older members

It varies, if you want the truth. I don't know if I want to say more than that though to avoid getting into unnecessary conflict.

 

[Sphenisciologist]

The problem is many from your generation -

I feel you could say the same here:

I think this is something that has largely always been true, leading to the stereotype of the rebellious teen years. It's unfortunate there tends to be such a disjunct between parents and teens, but it's common... I really don't think you can claim it as particularly distinct to gen Z. Though too gen Z tends to be easily offended and whiny, which doesn't help. I've heard a lot of stories of Z being sent home or fired for not being willing to push through hard situations.

Inserts "Great Argus" into blankNo intentions to intimidate, just to be clear.

I’ve been caught!!!!

know a lot of people that had access into the zoo field by your age - so not too strong an excuse there. I do take into account age when I criticize spec zoos in particular

By zoo field, I meant having hands-on experience with caring for animals in zoological facilities. I’m not going to assume too much, but I assume most adults on this website work actively in the animal care or husbandry areas of their zoos: Teenagers can’t do that. Degrees are required, and personal studying isn’t enough. Personal experience can teach and tell you a lot more than you see online.

 

[Great Argus]

I feel you could say the same here:

Some of it does apply to millennials, yes. But from all I hear Z is considered far worse. It's public perception here, not a me vs you.

I’ve been caught!!!!

Well you weren't very subtle.

By zoo field, I meant having hands-on experience with caring for animals in zoological facilities. I’m not going to assume too much, but I assume most adults on this website work actively in the animal care or husbandry areas of their zoos: Teenagers can’t do that. Degrees are required, and personal studying isn’t enough. Personal experience can teach and tell you a lot more than you see online.

Actually, you're kind of wrong on that assumption. To my knowledge there's not too many keepers reliably active on the site anymore, many of them have left or lurk. Most who are still around are secretive about where they work. Some that have worked in facilities previously are around - but as a majority the current active adults of Zoochat do not and/or have not worked in animal husbandry, they are enthusiasts who are knowledgeable.
There are opportunities for teens to work directly with animals - not tremendously common to be sure, but they are out there, I can assure you. Degrees also aren't necessarily required starting out either, though they can certainly be helpful. If you're reliable and responsible there can be openings into the field if you're looking in the right places.

 

[Sheather]

The rudest people I ever and consistently meet are seniors.

If you are insubordinate, that is a good thing. Fight authority. Don't let people take advantage of you. People should pay a lot more if you want workers that care about their jobs. Otherwise do the bare minimum you have to and jump ship when a better offer comes by. It's the worker's market right now, don't let people exploit you gen Z.

 

[Great Argus]

If you are insubordinate, that is a good thing. Fight authority. Don't let people take advantage of you. People should pay a lot more if you want workers that care about their jobs. Otherwise do the bare minimum you have to and jump ship when a better offer comes by. It's the worker's market right now, don't let people exploit you gen Z.

Aka how to get fired and have bad references...

 

[Sheather]

If someone wants to be a wage slave they can be my guest, but I am happy this younger generation sees that they are worth more than that. "Whiny and entitled" people exist in every generation, but these are also buzzwords employers love to gaslight people with for not taking the many types of systemic workplace abuse which has until very recently gone as an inevitable facet of life. If you have one whiny and entitled worker, maybe its their fault. If you can't find any "good" workers, you're probably the problem.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

gaslight

A term/phrase which gets thrown around with no regard to what it actually means often by people trying to justify their own bad behaviour or refusal to brook dissent.

Whether criticisms of that nature aimed towards younger generations are accurate or not, they are *not* a form of psychological manipulation intended to make the recipient doubt the stability of their own mind and sense of reality.

 

[Sheather]

We can agree to disagree on that.

 

[Great Argus]

but I am happy this younger generation sees that they are worth more than that.

Yeah - they want pay for as little work as humanly possible.

"Whiny and entitled" people exist in every generation, but these are also buzzwords employers love to gaslight people with for not taking the many types of systemic workplace abuse which has until very recently gone as an inevitable facet of life.

Gen Z is labeled as whiny and entitled by everybody - not just in the workforce.

If you can't find any "good" workers, you're probably the problem.

Right now businesses over here are so desperate for workers they're raising wages and offering extra bonuses. Gen Z isn't interested, and those that are tend to be terrors and shortly fired.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

If you had said "employers love to dismiss people with" I would have no complaints - but you used a term which has a specific meaning, and one which does not apply here.... and worse, tried to paint the term as one whose definition is open to disagreement.

Devaluing words for abhorrent and abusive behaviour such as *actual* gaslighting is something that risks real harm to the victims, leaving them open to disbelief when they attempt to escape their situation.

 

[Sheather]

If you had said "employers love to dismiss people with" I would have no complaints - but you used a term which has a specific meaning, and one which does not apply here.... and worse, tried to paint the term as one whose definition is open to disagreement.

Devaluing words for abhorrent and abusive behaviour such as *actual* gaslighting is something that risks real harm to the victims, leaving them open to disbelief when they attempt to escape their situation.

No, you implied I do not understand the term, whereas I do, and I am using it to paint the majority of employers as malicious, which is exactly what I believe they are. They want you to think that they can't pay a $20+ minimum wage (with current inflation this is still too low to be honest), "so here work for $7-$12 an hour, part time, no benefits, while rent is several thousand dollars per month. What, you don't think this is enough? Well everyone else does - you are the problem." It is gaslighting, but on a societal level.

You can argue that they aren't with many valid counter arguments, but I used the term to reflect how I feel about employers (in this context, referring to the jobs taken by these teenagers and young adults in and recently out of school, of entry level work such as retail and food service.)

If gen z isn't interested in this sort of work, then that isn't their fault, for they have no obligations to take it. Just as the employer can fire employees, the worker can choose where to work. They must be finding some better way to get by. If you have a skill - and it does not need to be a strictly practical one - you can, with some work, pursue an entirely independent career and be your own boss - and I do recommend it, younger people. You do not have to spend your entire life at the will of other people in a higher position of power (well you still do, but they don't have to be the ones paying you!)

It is also an unfortunate fact that in the world we live in right now, zoo and biology themed careers are not likely to make you rich or well-off. I wish they did, because they are often cool lines of work and can be very fulfilling. But when you need a college degree just to get hired to scoop animal poop, It helps a lot to have a secondary skill that can be put to use to pay the bills.

Let me work with gen z over boomers any day of the week. They know their worth, and they have strong opinions. As far as things like passion for zoology these have always been minority interests in society because they simply don't affect many people directly anymore. But this newest adult and almost adult generation has more awareness than others before them, access to more information, and a greater sense of both personal responsibility and pinning blame on the huge corporations that cause a hugely disproportionate share of pollution and environmental degradation. Gen z in general is passionate about social issues. I think apathy in regards to fighting against the powers that be and for social reform, civil rights and environmental issues is not unique to them but to most people today, many of whom are tired and overworked and underpaid. All of us could be more proactive in that regard.

But there is no moral failing in not wanting to work for not enough money because entry level jobs at corporations like McDonalds, with a net worth of 154 billion dollars, say they can't afford to give you what your work is worth. They're lying and placing the blame on the worker, when they hoard wealth like dragons on a pile of gemstones.