Generation Z or the demographic strata born between 1997 to 2012 are today addressed as Gen z.
Before them we had;
Baby Boomers between 1946 to 1964 they came during the post war prosperity.
Gen X were born between 1965 to 1980, they saw the rise of technology and independence. Millennials were born between 1981 to 1996 they witnessed the internet and the social media boom.
Gen Z are the ones born between 1997 to 2012, they are the digital natives and present-day activists.
Gen Alpha were born between2013 to 2025, they are AI immersed since birth.
Gen beta is now born between 2025 to 2039, their key traits are still emerging.
Now the concept of Gen Z and they trying to take over all reigns of change is a huge allegorical concern. The traits they reveal are being steadfast and locked in.
If we want to decode the psychology of this present generation young adults, it’s important to observe that this is entirely an urban phenomenon. These people have been raised by educated and financially stable guardians in homes where bare necessities were forever taken for granted. They grew up with their choice of priorities forever being agreed on by the whole family. They never had to bother about limitations like parental strict rules or reasons to share with siblings for constraint of resources.
They always had their preferences on a platter. Parents have forever been over conscious of their mental health. The Gen X and Millennial parents have been taught to be friends with their children. In this process they never felt that some form of parental control is a part and parcel of a healthy evolving mind.
The saying “Spare the rod spoil the child” has over decades been debated as crude, rustic and unhealthy. But Gen X and to a huge extend millennials were brought up on a scheduled basic control button of living. We knew when to sleep when to wake up. We had no concept about grumbling over food. However, we had full control over our career choice and major decisions of life. In spite of everything we appreciated our parental consensus before we stepped ahead.
The strong, logical and camaraderie that this present generation of young adults have is definitely going to uproot many unhealthy, unseen vices that older generations had resigned to. This needs to be hugely appreciated and encouraged.
There are some other traits about this generation that are new.
This cohort does not believe in boundaries of religion, customs, beliefs and communal thoughts. For them this world is a global village. They believe in identity fluidity.
Many of them are widely travelled and educated in some of the best schools round the world. They are rich in both knowledge and experience. Their upbringing and exposure have made them rather fearless. They are smart, competent and independent. Many are also well connected in the web of power and money and hence do not believe in any constraints.
The other trait they have is the “click button phenomenon”. Their lives mostly education, career, fashion and communication are so centered around the click of a button that they feel that everything is reversible. The control of feelings of romance, anger, hunger and all possible needs are just a click away. Is this what they trust in deciding to take away their own life in a situation of crisis do they believe somewhere in the grey zone of reversibility. India recorded 1,70,746 suicide reports in 2025 and of this the highest numbers were from Maharashtra and students were next in numbers after the daily wage earners. Does this reveal if more advanced scenarios make people more fragile.
The other adorable trait they have is they are very conscious about climate change, mental health awareness, and social justice. Their approach is to deliver justice to everyone.
To add to this, most of them are by birth molded to be corporate polished and tolerant with all aesthetic charm. They very smoothly blend into such roles in their careers. That’s a huge advantage in the world today.
Some of them have seen their parents navigate through the financial crash of 2008. Those families who made it through now have Gen Z’s at home. The impact of it has made a section of these people very risk adverse and pragmatic. Their financial moves are calculated and scientific.
The other important life skill for survival today is resilience and mutual tolerance. This is somewhere many of this new generation often cannot soak in. The kids who had helicopter parents and ever competitive values fail to inculcate many virtues. They are so tuned to only cater to self that there’s dismal blunting to emotions beyond ego.
It’s perhaps food for thought to decode whether what the nation is facing today is an extension of every family’s story or the beginning of better and brighter days. We all want a country where things are fair and clear. The way, the dimension, the approach everything ahead is evolving.
Best wishes to this generation to hold the baton right and lead us without brushing the knowledge, skills and trends that hold the greys and the creases.