- Celebrities like Jodie Foster and Whoopi Goldberg criticize Gen Z for laziness, but Gen Zer Robbie Scott highlights the double standard in a viral TikTok video.
- Scott criticizes baby boomers for not understanding the lack of return for hard work and the struggles faced by young workers.
- Millennials and Gen Z are the most educated generations, but face worse financial prospects and job opportunities compared to previous generations, resulting in a 24% regret among Americans with student loan debt. The viral video sparks conversation about the challenges faced by young workers today.
Additional Coverage:
It is no secret that Generation Z (Gen Z) often faces criticism for being lazy. Oscar-winning actress Jodie Foster recently complained that they don’t show up to work until 10:30 a.m., and Whoopi Goldberg has echoed the sentiment that young people don’t work as hard as her generation. Comedian Rick Mercer joined in the criticism of younger workers, which led one Gen Zer, Robbie Scott, to point out the double standard of older generations. Scott made a viral TikTok video highlighting the lack of return for hard work and resonated with over 2 million viewers.
In the video, Scott criticizes baby boomers for not understanding what it’s like to work hard and receive nothing in return. He mentions the struggle of working 40-plus hours a week with a master’s degree and still not being able to afford basic necessities. The video can be found on his TikTok account.
The reason why Gen Z and millennials are feeling angry and entitled, according to Scott, is not because they are less willing to work than previous generations, but because they have nothing to show for their efforts. Scott points out that they have followed the expectations of going to school and college, working since a young age, only to end up living in their parents’ homes well into their late 20s.
Scott’s point is valid. Millennials and Gen Z are the most educated generations in history, yet their financial prospects and job opportunities are significantly worse than those of Gen X graduates. Additionally, executives are devaluing degrees, claiming that many jobs could be obtained without one. This has resulted in 24% of Americans with student loan debt saying it is their biggest financial regret.
Moreover, even when young people secure a job, their salary doesn’t stretch as far as it did for their parents. The median household income falls far below what is needed to afford a median-priced home. Young workers are forced to juggle multiple jobs to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Scott’s video resonated with many young people who feel like they were sold an unattainable dream. The disparity between the prospects of today’s graduates and previous generations is evident. Some commenters expressed regret about going to college and feeling deceived. Others shared their own experiences of low wages despite having degrees. Even a Gen X viewer acknowledged that workers today are doing the work of multiple people.
This viral video sparked a conversation about the challenges faced by young workers today and the false promises they feel were made to them.