10 Fascinating Insights that Unlock the Minds of Gen Z

By Sean McDowell Published on September 15, 2019

Recently I was reading a new report on understanding Gen Z, which focuses on the smaller segment of those currently 18-21 years old. The analysis matches up nicely with the previous research that J. Warner Wallace and I chronicle in our book So the Next Generation Will Know.

In an effort to help any older generation (yep, thatโ€™s you Millennials!) who interacts with Gen Zers, here are 10 insights help explain how adult Gen Zers tend to understand the world:

1. The two most widely shared goals are to make money (70%) and have a successful career (69%). 39% cited getting married as a โ€œvery importantโ€ life goal.

2. They have grown up with global online communities at their fingertips, which influences how they think about borders and identity.

3. Gen Z is entering adulthood with $4.2 million dollars to spend as new consumers, and their primary focus is on individual value and self-care.

4. Their top values include open-mindedness (67%) and rational thinking (61%), but only 39% say they value spirituality.

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5. Gen Zers are generally optimistic about their personal well-being (44%) and finances (42%), but less optimistic about the future of the world (28%) and the U.S. (25%).

6. They are less trusting of the military (68%), police (56%), and religious leaders than previous generations (43%).

7. Gen Zers are less likely than previous generations to have a positive view of democracy (29%) and capitalism (17%), and more like to have a positive view of socialism (15%).

8. Gen Zers report mass shootings (65%) and the election of Donald Trump (64%) as the events that have had the biggest impact on their worldviews.

9. Gen Zers cite terrorism (65%), climate change (60%), and discrimination (58%) as the most critical threats to the U.S. over the next decade. Only 24% cite the growing role of technology in daily life.

10. While Gen Zers care about the ethical, political, and social stance of a company, the top two factors that contribute to brand loyalty are quality (80%) and price (65%).

If you care about helping young people develop a Christian worldview, then please check out my recent book (co-written with J. Warner Wallace), So the Next Generation Will Know. It is a practical guide for parents, youth leaders, Christian schoolteacher, and other caring adults who want to pass on their faith to the next generation.

 

Sean McDowell, Ph.D., is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, the National Spokesman for Summit Ministries, a best-selling author, popular speaker, and part-time high school teacher. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell and his blog: seanmcdowell.org.

Originally published at SeanMcDowell.org. Reprinted with permission.

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