Looking Forward with Gen Z

Executive Summary

This report explores Gen Z's values, political activities, and interests. This generation is redefining success by focusing on balance and flexibility, prioritizing mental health and community over politics, and demanding significant changes from institutions to address pressing issues.

Key Findings

Family, Community, and Mental Health Come First
Young people prioritize their own health and happiness, and the health and happiness of their friends and family, over getting involved in politics, advocacy, or other efforts. They care deeply about the issues our society is grappling with (inequality, racism, school shootings, climate, democracy, etc.), but they don’t always have the bandwidth to do both. Having seen the challenges that their parents have faced, and in many cases the limits on their ability to drive the meaningful change they seek, they are choosing to make sure they are okay before considering anything else. The investments we make to ensure more and better support for mental health, and the rebuilding of a sense of community throughout the country, will help to unlock the tremendous power that Zoomers possess.

Institutions Are in Trouble, Their Reputations Are at Risk, and Trust Must Be Rebuilt
Zoomers have low expectations that the government, corporations, and other institutions will prioritize them or take their needs into consideration. They see the purpose of education as preparing them, in very practical ways, for life after high school – and yet, overwhelmingly they feel like their K-12 education did not prepare them adequately to enter today’s world. They report that political and government leaders are not considering their needs when setting priorities, and instead favor the elite and overtly partisan opinions. Gen Z will soon be the largest cohort of eligible voters in the country–and they do plan to vote–giving them tremendous power to remake institutions in ways that support their vision for the future.

Time for a New Social Contract—Gen Z Is Charting a Different Course
Success for America’s rising generation is defined as living a basic, balanced life that enables one to afford a stable home, but also provides the flexibility to travel, explore their passions, and spend time with family and loved ones. They talk openly about not wanting to follow the path of their parents and grandparents–working to exhaustion, with little time for family and individual pursuits, pledging loyalty to one job or industry, etc. This gives them motivation to challenge tired corporate policies and redefine work-life harmony.