There is one thing connecting Boomers and Gen Z, and it is their views on the “woke” culture. Though they were dubbed as the most inclusive generation, there are significant differences between the younger generations and all-inclusive millennials. Here is what the surveys found and why Gen Z is not as woke as expected.
The gender issue
Gen Z men are more conservative, a study by King’s College London’s Policy Institute and Global Institute for Women’s Leadership concluded. Additionally, Gen Z men are more likely than older Boomers to think that feminism is harmful.
Interesting data
When it comes to political leaders, over 40 percent of Gen Z men prefer male candidates, according to the Tandfonline study. Gen Z women support female candidates by 35 percent. Additionally, around 20 percent of Gen Z men think it will be much more complex to be a man in 20 years than a woman.
What’s behind these numbers?
Most young people believe that the American way of life is disappearing, and combined with toxic influencers from the “manosphere,” the pandemic, world wars, and the rise of living costs, these views are not surprising. What is alarming is that some Gen Zers identify as highly conservative or extremely on the left. According to an analysis of surveys of US 12th graders by psychology professor Jean M. Twenge, More Gen Zers are drawn to political extremes than members of previous generations were at the same age.
Supporting “strong leadership”
A Newsweek survey from April 2024 pointed out that younger Americans are willing to give up some democratic powers for more effective government. Redfield & Wilton Strategies polling found that a staggering 40 percent of Gen Z want strong leaders who will make decisions without interference from courts, Congress, or the Senate. Only 27 percent perceived this as bad.
Cancel culture
Gen Z rejected cancel culture, and many said it was because they don’t think it is okay to cancel people over things they said or did at 15. One Gen Z woman told the Guardian that the whole generation was pushed into a box, while another shared that people are permanently getting canceled to create drama or set up trends.
Fear of sharing opinions
Almost half of the young people are afraid of sharing their thoughts because they are scared of being dragged into culture wars, the STRAT7 Jigsaw survey found. The conclusion was that the term “woke” is no longer used in its original context, and now it includes views on genders, sexuality, and more.
Creating confusion
This broader use of the term “woke” left younger people afraid of labels like “too woke,” “not woke enough,” or getting canceled. The term’s polarization is also why many young adults refuse to be affiliated with a political party or even discuss their views with families.
Cultural appropriation
Many of Gen Z adapted African American Vernacular English terms. They believe that appropriation is a way to a more inclusive and diverse society, which is not a stance used by most Millennials once they were in their 20s. This led to some people concluding that Gen Z is a whitewashed version of Black Americans.
Mental health
Gen Z, according to numerous reports, has the poorest mental health compared to any other generation. They are dubbed the loneliest generation, and a Gallup survey found that less than half are prepared for the future. Gen Z grew up with the internet, the pandemic, and active shooter drills, so from that perspective, they do not want to be engaged in more troubling issues that could harm their mental well-being.
Virtue signaling
Some Gen Z people believe that the woke culture is nothing more than virtue signaling. It lacks action, and even the actions they saw, like marches after overturning Roe vs. Wade, did not come with the desired results. In simple terms, for some younger people, it is a word salad but nothing more.
Generational gap
An inevitable pushback against previous generations is expected. Gen Z already went after the fashion choices and humor of the Millenials, so as they grow up, more important topics are coming to the surface. It is similar to the ongoing war between Boomers and Millenials, and Gen Z is more accepting of Boomers.
Current trends
Gen Z is embracing the “Tradwife” movement. Tradwives, or traditional wives, put their husbands’ needs first, make everything from scratch, and care for their children. It might appear that they are acting like 1950s housewives, but it might be a way to deal with everyday pressures and imagine being part of America’s Golden Age. Luckily, they do not experience the real struggles of women in the 1950s.
Better understanding of the world
The woke culture may be oversimplified, and Gen Z is looking for a world that is more open-minded than the previous generations. That’s why they are more likely to reject intolerance, which often comes with being part of the woke culture, and accept those open to uncensored conversations.
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Kate Smith, a self-proclaimed word nerd who relishes the power of language to inform, entertain, and inspire. Kate's passion for sharing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations fuels her every word.