Generation Z advocates for social justice, environmental sustainability, inclusivity and digital ethics, influencing societal, business and personal standards.
When a society transitions from one generation to the next, it bases its direction on changing values and morals, and Generation Z has some unique circumstances for its transformation. Having grown up with global access
to the Internet and increased social activity, today's teens and twentysomethings are creating new standards of proper behavior. But what ideals and morals are they fighting for?
Who are the members of Generation Z
Generation Z are people born between 1997 and 2010. This generation follows Millennials (Generation Y) and precedes Generation Alpha. They are sometimes called "digital natives" because technology has always been a part of their lives.
Today's young people can't imagine life without smartphones,
social media and constant access to the Internet - something that previous generations remember growing up without. This has greatly affected how they make friends (most often online), learn new skills, and spend their free time.
One area in which Generation Z differs from older age groups is their attitudes towards fairness and diversity, they embrace multiculturalism more than any other group before them.
They also care about many other kinds of equality besides race or religion. Many members of this generation are college educated. They admire pragmatic, self-reliant people whose values have been shaped by events such as
COVID-19 and economic instability during their formative years.
In terms of morals and ethics, they have grown up in a digital world. Transparency and authenticity are of utmost importance to them - whether it's in everyday communication or knowing what's really going on in people's lives.
Equality and social justice
First, Generation Z is making a statement about fairness and equality like never before. They're not just talking about it, they're making changes - whether it's how people of different races or sexual orientations are treated, or simply what is considered acceptable behavior among their friends.
In fact, the desire for a level playing field affects many aspects of their lives. Members of this age group find it necessary to support brands that they feel encourage differences. Social media allows them to let others know when they feel that offline events or conversations are unfair.
Expectations around these issues do not change when they enter the workforce. Rather, they want employers who encourage diversity at all levels of the company (e.g., no all-male or all-white management).
And it's not just work. Young workers also view politics alongside personal relationships, supporting both new laws designed to give everyone an equal chance and politicians from any party who seem to be trying hard to achieve this goal.
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Finally, members of Generation Z tackle the problem of equality using a mixture of modern philosophies. They mix the ideas of classical liberalism with newer concepts such as intersectionality. Rather than seeing equity as something fixed and immobile, members of this generation see it as an ongoing process that needs to be worked on and thought about.
By questioning old power structures, Generation Z is part of a broad philosophical shift that seeks to rethink the meaning of justice in a world where everyone is interconnected (globalized). Generation Z is not just interested in whether things are just from a theoretical point of view, they question whether there should be justice in the way justice (or lack thereof) is experienced by all.
Concerns about Environmental Sustainability
Second, Generation Z is known for caring deeply about the environment and striving to create a sustainable world. In fact, they see this not just as a challenge, but as something that defines their generation.
How concerned young people are about these issues can be seen in the way they live and shop. This direction can change the future for everyone.
One example is veganism: many young people under the age of 25 are choosing a plant-based diet, which means not only avoiding foods grown in fields. They want to eat something that does not consume a lot of energy and does not cause suffering to animals - hence the carbon footprint mentioned above.
It's not just about what people consume directly from nature. Many members of Generation Z prefer homemade products that are free of chemicals. Just because something doesn't burn fossil fuels doesn't mean it's not harmful!
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This goes some way to explaining why more and more young people are choosing to use an electric car, ride a bicycle, or take public transportation.
At the heart of these choices is a belief in stewardship of the Earth - caring for it and preserving its health for future generations. Members of Generation Z also have a strong sense of ethics. They believe that modern humans have a moral obligation to be sustainable because it affects other people in the future.
Philosophically, they embrace an ecological mindset that is not limited to themselves. They believe that their everyday actions can help ensure the well-being of the Earth for future centuries - this way of thinking views environmental practices as wise and vital.
Transparency and authenticity
It's important to note that Generation Z values authenticity and transparency. They expect these qualities in all areas of their lives, including personal relationships, politics and business. Their desire for honesty and openness is changing society and influencing the behavior of organizations.
When it comes to friendships or romantic relationships, members of Generation Z tend to seek real connections, they prefer conversations where everything is open and emotionally truthful rather than superficial conversations.
This extends to their digital lives - they like social media trends that involve posting unedited or "raw" content because it shows who you really are, not what you want people to think. They even encourage famous people or internet stars to show this side of themselves more often.
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Companies are under pressure from Generation Z in the business world to be more open about their operations, supply chains and treatment of employees, rather than just paying lip service to the environment. They need proof that the company is as good as they say it is. This means clear information about everything from where products come from to how companies behave.
On a philosophical level, Generation Z's quest for authenticity has its roots in existentialism. Existentialism is a line of thinking popularized by
Jean-Paul Sartre and
Martin Heidegger, among others. He argues that people should act in accordance with their own beliefs and take responsibility for their actions.
Authenticity isn't just something Generation Z enjoys doing, something they can do if they feel like it. It is an ethic that communities need if they want trust and honesty to thrive in challenging times.
Inclusion and diversity
Moreover, Generation Z is known for being strong advocates of inclusion and diversity. They do not simply tolerate differences between people, but rather embrace and celebrate them.
For members of Generation Z, different perspectives are important - be it race or religion. They believe it stimulates creativity and helps people get to know each other better in society or in the workplace.
You can see how much importance members of Generation Z place on inclusivity by looking at their daily activities. They may support an event that showcases different cultures or identities - for example, LGBTQ+ pride festivals or multicultural fairs.
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Generation Z wants everyone's voice to be heard in schools and offices, and they are calling for policies that reflect this belief.
Young people from Generation Z want diversity not only in terms of ethnicity and sexuality, but also, for example, in terms of gender identity and body types. And they want brands to use their influence to drive social change.
The philosophy behind this way of thinking can be seen as pluralism and cosmopolitanism: the idea that all cultures are worthy of respect in a globalized world.
Cosmopolitanism argues that differences can make human interaction more valuable, and pluralism promotes everyone enjoying the good life together. In both their daily actions and their beliefs, members of Generation Z are helping to build an inclusive world - a world where everyone matters.
Digital ethics and privacy
In a world where technology has always been around, Generation Z will place a high value on digital ethics and privacy. Having grown up online, they are no strangers to issues such as online fraud, fake news or data breaches. They need strong privacy rules as well as fair treatment for the information they share online.
For example, today's young people are much more aware than previous generations of what goes on behind the scenes with their personal information at technology companies. They are more likely than older age groups to use ad blockers or change their social media privacy settings to make them harder to find online.
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They are also the generation most likely to use secure messaging apps that offer end-to-end encryption (code to ensure that only the intended recipient can read a message). Young people are also concerned about how data collected by companies is used - they want transparency and a voice.
Young people are concerned about fake news that they know can go viral and affect what they care about. Because of this, members of Generation Z often campaign to help others use the internet wisely so they can determine if what is happening online is true, rather than being fooled.
One area where their ideas intersect with those of philosopher Michel Foucault is called "surveillance": how information is used to control people. In today's digital world, people are constantly arguing about how much personal data should be private and how much should be verified for security purposes. Members of Generation Z are also raising similar questions.
By pointing out these problems or trying to make a difference (sometimes just by behaving differently than older generations), members of Generation Z show that personal life matters if people want to build a just society where everyone has equal rights and chances.
What are the ethical values of members of Generation Z
Generation Z is characterized by a deep moral code, evident in their fervent support for ideas such as fair trade, saving the planet and tolerance for all. Unfamiliar with a world without digital technology, they also place a high value on honesty, from politicians being truthful to voters to friends being candid about what they did the night before.
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When it comes to the environment, personal responsibility plays a big role in their views. Their addiction to new technologies has given them a new perspective on age-old issues such as privacy, which may seem to older people to be at odds with notions of surveillance or civil liberties.
In terms of philosophy, members of Generation Z are exploring thoughts on management and commitment; they don't just want to talk, they expect action from individuals (e.g., business leaders), organizations, and even entire countries.
Thus, it can be argued that their high ethical standards influence the entire world, from public policy making to retail practices.