the changed ways of the young

Liz Birdie Ong takes a look at Generation Z (as a Gen Z-er)

Liz Birdie Ong is a medical student in Dublin and Nucleus student editor

That’s so Gen Z.’ Imagine hearing that — from Generation Alpha, the youngest generation as of 2024. It wasn’t too long ago when Gen Z-ers felt like this new indecipherable batch of children joined at the hip with technology — but now, the oldest members of this cohort are approaching 30.

However, there are always exceptions to the general rule — and the environment and geographical region you are born into will inadvertently have a huge influence on your outlook. And, before entering any interaction, first hold your judgements — whether you are from another generation analysing at this one, or if you’re analysing your own peers — keeping in mind the age-old tendency (as detailed in the editorial) of the old bemoaning the ‘changed ways of the young’.[1]

I will consider six pieces of context that permeate any interaction in this generation that I hope you may find helpful to consider in your conversations and collaborations with any ‘post-Millennial’.

1. technology & information overload

As the first generation with access to smartphones in their childhood, Gen Z-ers grew up with something that those in the immediate decades before did not — technology, and with it, an explosion of accessibility — to information, news, knowledge, imported goods and services, geographical travels, and so on. But sometimes, users don’t consume media responsibly, nor critically analyse everything they hear. Then beliefs can be shaped not by what is true, and not even by ingrained biases (which we should still remember to check) — but can simply become a game of what gets viewed first — a phenomenon well-known and targeted by the techniques like search engine optimisation (SEO). Algorithms promote the existence of echo chambers and filter-bubbles, in which internet users mostly see information they are likely to agree with, preventing their beliefs and worldviews from being challenged.

We need to stop ourselves in our instinctive tracks, and to question things that even we ourselves firmly believe in. Remember that perhaps those we are speaking with may also be shaped by these very same forces, even though they may not realise it.

2. contemporary ideologies

A second context infiltrating our interactions is postmodernism. Britannica defines postmodernism in Western philosophy as a movement that began in the late 20th century, characterised by ’[scepticism], subjectivism, or relativism; a general suspicion of reason; and an acute sensitivity to the role of ideology in asserting and maintaining political and economic power’.[2]Postmodernism believes that reality — and even knowledge, reason, logic, human psychology, and value — is a subjective social/conceptual construct rather than an objective, natural reality, and that there is no such thing as truth. Some form of relativism permeates most of its doctrines.

Although inspired by Marxist ideas from the late 1800s, critical theory first arose in academic circles (and then to mainstream public prominence and influence) around the same time that postmodernism reared its head.[3],[4] Though we cannot thoroughly dissect critical theory here, an Autumn 2020 Nucleus article provides a good introduction.[5] Although not all postmodernists and definitely not all Gen Z-ers adhere neatly to the above labels, these overarching movements that have uniquely shaped the worldviews of Millennials and Gen Z constitute a critical consideration in any discussion.

3. value & purpose

Forbes and the Stanford Report are two platforms that have examined Gen Z-ers in the workplace, highlighting several key characteristics:[6],[7]

• value- and purpose-driven — having a ‘work life defined by value, not money’, they are conscious consumers and employees
• less hierarchical and more open to a ‘rotating’ or ‘collaborative’ leadership styles
• ‘servant leadership’ — this appeals greatly to this generation, and they value leaders who ‘lead by consensus’, who serve and deliver
• more cognisant of the importance of work-life balance and boundaries
• lesser degree of loyalty to their jobs (having also grown up in an economy of gigs and contract work)
• ‘a strong sense of self-agency’ — in a world where everything is ’one search engine result away’, they question anything that is paternalistically handed down to them and generally take the initiative to seek the answers, explanations, and resources that they are looking for
• change — they grew up with it, and they will expect, and even demand, it

In the medical workplace, the past few decades have seen an increased emphasis on patient autonomy, doctor-patient collaboration, and the rejection of paternalistic approaches — an environment that Gen Z-ers grew up and trained in.

4. equality, diversity, & inclusivity

As the most diverse and educated generation, there is an increasing call for diversity by Gen Z and inclusion in the workplace[8] — with a specific role, often called the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) officer, in multiple institutions, including the Irish Parliament and in my university.

However, such a positive change can still easily tip to the extreme and backfire, paradoxically returning to the point that the change initially intended to move away from. Extremes — in the name of ‘inclusivity’ risk becoming exclusive; in the name of ’diversity’ it risks reducing the value, importance, and significance of individual differences; and in the name of ‘equality’, it risks failing to recognise the differing needs and abilities of different groups of people.

An example is one given by my pastor during a Sunday sermon. Religious pluralism, which preaches a tolerant and peaceful coexistence of a diversity of religions, runs the risk of prizing plurality to the point of smothering individual differences that are vital to acknowledge. Though the tolerance initially preached is admirable, when taken to the extreme and to the point where individual differences between religions are written off as a subjective and relative truth that can be accepted without rigorous and objective questioning, it begins to become, ironically, exclusive — ’bulldozing over all the unique beliefs held so passionately’ by all the different religions, in the words of my pastor. Gen Z-ers are often passionate about controversial subjects, such as justice, gender identity or life issues. Such passion can also lead those hoping to be inclusive to make statements that end up excluding many.

although the practice of traditional religion may be declining, there is still the belief, deeper down, that there is something greater than or beyond us

5. religion & spirituality

‘Gen Z is the least religious generation’.[9] A prevailing narrative about this generation is the decline of religion and the rise of the ‘nones’ (eg unaffiliated, and agnostic).[10] However, that may simply be a sign that this generation is more suspicious and critical of what they view as ‘traditional religion’, whether because of abuse or hurt they have personally experienced, or more controversial issues which that media publicises (such as that over women’s leadership, or concerns with entire ethnicities appearing to be oppressed and slaughtered in the Old Testament).

The Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that about a third of American Gen Z-ers are ‘religiously unaffiliated’[11] — the highest proportion of any generation, equalled only by Millennials. Also known as the ’religious nones’, this religious group is the third-largest worldwide, and includes agnostics, atheists, and those choosing ‘nothing in particular’.[12] Importantly, however this does not mean that they do not have beliefs (because we all do) and does not even mean that they don’t have any religious beliefs. Far from it, for about half of them do believe in God, and a similar percentage believe in some form of supernatural being(s).[13]

So, although the practice of traditional religion may be declining, there is still the belief, deeper down, that there is something greater than or beyond us — a reality highlighted by Timothy Keller in his sermon The Search for Transcendence.[14] He cited claims that since the end of World War Two, the UK alone saw the start of at least 800 new religions. Yet society was becoming increasingly scientific at the same time — I doubt this trend has shifted.

The initial ‘assumption that the thirst for transcendence is really a kind of primitive response to helplessness’ cannot explain the explosion in the search for spirituality and transcendence. A key section in his sermon is that the point is not whether God exists, but that there is an irrepressible drive in the human heart for transcendence.

I think that there is an increasing realisation in this generation that shallow religiosity and traditions no longer cut it

This generation may appear superficially less religious. However, the word ’religious’ or ’religion’ still carries a lot of baggage — from centuries of hurt, abuse, exploitation, and war, to the unnecessary burdens of rituals and requirements that are annoying at best or condemnatory at worst. For this reason, I think that there is an increasing realisation in this generation that shallow religiosity and traditions no longer cut it. But at the heart of this generation, the fire for transcendence still burns bright.

Now, throwing technology and postmodernism into the picture, the characteristics of Gen Z-ers become a bit clearer.[15] Mass media can connect organised religions with intolerance, oppression, and exploitation, which can easily dissuade someone without a strong religious background. The postmodern culture Gen Z-ers live in is one that emphasises choice, subjectivity, individualism, and freedom of expression, which promotes a rejection of traditional categories of not just religion, but also of gender and sexuality, among other things.

However, for that minority of Gen Z-ers who have found a strong faith — many of my friends who are Christian, but also a few of my Muslim friends — I have seen incredible knowledge, beyond what is typical in ‘everyday’ adherents of the faith — a deeply scientific and theological knowledge of the rational and historical basis of their faith.

Knowing this, how can you approach the topic of faith as a Gen Z-er, or to other Gen Z-ers in your life? Firstly, be confident, knowing that people are often more curious and accepting than they may seem. Secondly, discern the foundation from which your fellow Gen Z-er may be coming from — the deeper questions that they are truly asking. Are they religiously unaffiliated, and relatively indifferent to religion? Or are they very well-versed with their own religion or even in Christianity? What is it that they are truly seeking?

one of foremost preoccupations of this generation is the self, and identity — and the importance of self-expression

6. identity and the rejection of societal structures

A key characteristic of this generation, across multiple domains (including religion and identity), has been a rejection of the institutions and hierarchies that society has imposed on them. However, that does not mean we never grow up — a healthy dose of ’rebellion’, of questioning the status quo, coupled with the maturity to accept certain ’traditions’ such as necessary hierarchy and objectivity, may be our unique strength.

One of foremost preoccupations of this generation is the self, and identity — and the importance of self-expression: identity labels are something that they choose for themselves, rather than something that their community and society assigns to them.[16]

The Bible has much to offer on the topic of identity — and rather than a subjective, relativistic, self-determined one, it offers one that is firm and unchangeable.[17]

Specifically in relation to discussing about faith, apologetics still appeals greatly to students — especially given the inquisitory nature of higher education. However, Pastor Mark Vance noted that perhaps ‘the focus has shifted away from the traditional questions of proving the existence of God or explaining the evil and suffering in the world’ but now ‘centres on the question of identity’.[18]

Understanding this reality helps us to see the deeper questions being asked. Rather than paternalistically enforcing a structure on the big topics, it may be more helpful to answer questions on how things are personally relevant for them, how the answers change the reality of their identity, and to avoid words and ideas that allude to conformity with an established institution or a label that they may not find appealing.

how does that look in my everyday?

Many of my Gen Z peers are not very ’outwardly religious’ — many would, despite having grown up in a culturally Catholic environment, consider themselves as to be ‘religiously unaffiliated’.

However, I have also been surprised but incredibly encouraged by the extent and depth to which my more ‘religious’ friends know about their religion — especially the rationale and science behind it in religions more amenable to apologetics, in particular Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

If I could summarise Gen Z, it’s that they are not passive and lazy — quite the opposite — and that they tend to reject the status quo and the structures that are set up around them.

how does this apply to your everyday?

So dear reader, what are my two cents for you before you return to the battleground that is a conversation in this generation — passionate, considered, but sometimes blindly so?

Firstly is a piece of wisdom from Sun Tzu’s Art of War: ’now thyself, know they enemy; a thousand battles, a thousand victories’. People are not battles to be won, but the first half of this saying highlights the importance of knowing the person you are interacting with. The key to any good conversation and interaction is to know your audience — so I hope what I have discussed will prove useful in getting to know yourself and your own friends more clearly.

After getting to know the person well, find common ground — this is the key to establishing rapport in any conversation, from raving over favourite Paw Patrol characters (know their names, as my paediatrics lecturer instructed) with a ten-year-old to lamenting over the most unexpected defeat in the Premier League with a football-crazy friend. Appeal to the strong drive in Gen Z-ers for value, purpose, and social justice — whether campaigning for a role in a committee, pushing for a change in your workplace, or simply in a conversation with your friend.

This approach is not new — Paul himself used it in the meeting at the Areopagus in Athens when he reasoned with the Greeks.[19] Paul also said, ‘I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some’. (1 Corinthians 9:22) There is some humility to be learnt from this verse — to lay down some firmly held beliefs, habits, and prejudices to just see from the eyes of the person we are speaking to, which requires a genuine understanding of who they are and what they are truly asking.

Lastly, recognise the deeper questions that this generation is asking — be it questions of identity, questions that apologetics deal better with, questions that centre around value and purpose, or questions centred around (or deceptively masked by) theology. Genuine questions require not sophisticated answers but, simply, genuine answers — which will be appreciated by a generation that values not only an objective show of excellence, but a very personal display of authenticity.

conclusion

I have incredible hope in the potential of this generation. It is one of profound authenticity and deep passion, which I have witnessed and been greatly inspired by, on issues such as faith and social justice. In this generation seen to be incredibly authentic but also more vulnerable to ‘moral injury’ — often considered our weakness — may we still strive uphold God’s calling to such levels in our lives, even in areas of our lives unseen to human eyes, for ‘the Lord sees not as man sees’ (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV), always ‘holding on to faith and a good conscience’. (1 Timothy 1:19)

However, living in an increasingly extreme and fragmented society does make it hard to find our paths sometimes — which is why a little bit of patience from those who went before us, the maxim of ‘moderation is key’ that my mother has ingrained in me, as well as the timeless wisdom and firm steadfastness of the Bible, may hold incredible merit in such a time as this and provide an invaluable anchor in the chaos.