Gen Z or “Zoomers” is a generation that is marked by unique approaches to life, influenced by technological access, modern culture and ever changing economic climates. Gen Z, is in fact very different from Baby Boomers, who tend to hold traditional and long-standing ideals. Both their core values and ways of life vary quite a bit from spending money to viewing everyday tasks.
Defining Gen Z
Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z has known a vastly different world then their generational predecessors, Baby Boomers. A great deal of different perspectives exist from how they approach tasks, communication styles and what they prioritize in life. This contrast marks a large change in priorities, making Gen Z different from Baby Boomers who came before them.
Gen Z Values and Lifestyles
They have shown preference to tech over analogue experiences while they value freedom over strict tradition. This shift often clashes with some ideals held by older generations such as the Baby Boomers.
Analog versus Digital: Preference in Everyday Tasks
Gen Z has always had access to modern digital technology and that greatly effects what they choose as best practice in their daily lives from photo albums to the daily news. They chose convenience that aligns with their technology preferences.
Photo Storage
Baby Boomers favor physical photo albums they see it as a tangible method of storing treasured memories but it also gives them emotional feedback when viewing. In contrast, Gen Z saves all images in their phones which is more about an instant access instead of the tradition aspect that comes with physical storage. Both forms of access are understandable when wanting to share experiences.
News Consumption
Boomers still prefer newspapers for their news source which they use to start their day. However, Gen Z prefers quick news bites that are accessible right on their mobile devices, taking an instant gratification to their news intake as opposed to more in depth information delivery. This demonstrates the technological preference for both forms of understanding and relaying information.
Technology's Influence
Gen Z’s dependency on smartphones and digital resources has altered their view on many areas. Communication preferences also play a key role as to why they have unique qualities to their views.
Phone Preferences
Boomers prefer Land lines at home in the event of emergencies while Gen Z will rely solely on mobile phones because it suits their individual preference. Each device delivers a sense of comfort and familiarity and is understandable from each generations time line.
Digital Organization
Boomers may use wall calendars but it isn't as commonly done among Gen Z. The more digital aspects are seen as very key in Gen Z and with that are usually mobile phone and digital calendar applications. With these types of accessibility Gen Z are always ready to add and engage with information which is very helpful in all forms of their interactions.
Economic Factors and Spending Habits
Gen Z and boomers each display greatly different values in terms of spending their income on varying areas such as clothing to vacations, reflecting economic conditions at various times in history. These financial decisions showcase the diversity within perspectives of the two groups.
Clothing
Boomers purchase crisp new clothes often having a mindset towards tradition while they shop for style and Gen Z values vintage thrifting and they prefer older used garments with value to help support their desire for sustainability. All these factors play a unique role in how people value their personal look.
Health and Wellness Spending
Boomers may be known to invest in expensive gym memberships and workout clothes to further enhance their routines while Gen Z typically workout from home with free video workouts available online for easy access due to limitations of finances. Financial differences between generations may play a role in decisions relating to wellness and well being which showcase very different results on similar ideals.
Travel Aspirations
Boomers love to engage in comfort travel, like all-inclusive luxury cruises, while Gen Z are more budget and authentic travel seekers. Each different preference impacts not only where each group go, but also how they experience their surroundings while traveling making the differences very impactful.
Practical Skills and DIY
Practical skills, especially household related activities that boomers consider core values seem obsolete for many members of Gen Z. They tend to outsource many basic activities and rely more heavily on external help than the previous generation. They are known to lean on external help or family for many simple tasks such as household repair or cleaning routines.
Home Repairs
Basic home repairs, such as changing a lightbulb or a tire, seem intimidating for many of Gen Z. Due to having reliance on more accessible technology that is more familiar those everyday tasks are seen as time-consuming or difficult instead of what is easily accessible to older generations.
Outsourcing and Reliance on Professionals
Many from Gen Z are outsourcing services due to their reliance on a technology first world which shows up in high dollar values yearly compared to other demographics. This outsourcing has become a norm instead of completing the jobs themselves. They find that they can just depend on professional companies to cover such things.
Nostalgia for Traditional Practices
There still remain elements of culture that boomers greatly value that may not necessarily exist in Gen Z lives as well. Handwritten notes or the use of wall calendars still hold importance as does purchasing items that were thought of as must have’s that do not resonate for the newer generation.
Sentimental value
Greeting cards, decorative figurines and timeshares seem important for boomers with personal touches which provide them with joy and connections to their own past times and life journeys. While these specific values are not carried as much into Gen Z there is some overlap in that personal taste.
The Influence of Media and Streaming
Gen Z has grown up in a world of streaming which changed the entertainment experience forever as there are other services for entertainment than just what was commonly known. streaming services gave a chance for immediate access instead of needing to make other options for those sources.
Changing Content Views
Boomers remain loyal to cable as it was a cutting edge technology for their generation but that model has been replaced with a focus on digital and streaming content making a major divide that created a shift in media and how it is delivered.
Key Takeaways
- Gen Z exhibits different core values and life approaches than Baby Boomers based in a digital world, economics and diverse life values.
- They chose digital format over paper such as phone photo collections, news sources and calendar apps as primary access to the information that is relevant to them.
- Gen Z and boomers have very unique preferences for finances such as types of clothes, wellness choices and ideal vacation scenarios.
- While boomers enjoy common DIY tasks, Gen Z often chooses outside sources to manage many chores or everyday fixes for tasks.
- Boomers hold onto some common old styles and traditions while Gen Z continues to evolve with unique values in how to explore this world.