Difference between millennials and generation z

A gradual evolution occurred in humans as the time gradually passed. Over the period of thousands of years, humans have come a long way along the path of evolution – from being wanderers to the present hi-tech generations. To classify this change and evolution of humankind, people born during different periods of time have been classified into different generations – each generation having its own set of characteristics, features, lifestyle, understanding and intelligence capabilities and so on.

With the technological advancements of the recent times, the modern generations have become more and adapted to technology, so much so that technological advancement has, in a way, determined the generation difference (or gap). In context to this, recently there has been quite a buzz across the world regarding what exactly is the difference between millennials and generation z.

Though both generations portray the present evolved form of mankind, yet there are quite a few significant differences between these two generations, when one considers more minutely. Both the generations are technology oriented, but their approach to technology, its use, the perception of life, etc. is varied. This has given rise to the important question of what exactly is the difference.

Noticeable and important differences between Millennials and generation z
One may wonder why is it important to understand the difference between the two generations. Though for a layman, the difference may appear to be very negligible, yet when it comes to the professional sectors, these differences make an impact on the way recruitments are made, marketing strategies are formulated, etc. Not only that, if you are a parent, then these differences will determine how you nurture and look after your kids. Let’s take a look at the major differences that exist:

1. Realistic
   Since the Millennials were born during the comparatively peaceful and stabilized decade of the 1990s, their adolescent and later teenage years were torn apart by the economic recessions, 9/11 terror attacks, and other disastrous events. Though they faced the cruel reality in their younger ages, yet the peace and stability of the initial years made them more prone to stick to their dreams and be optimistic to the level that it clashes with the reality.

2. Money consciousness
   Though most millennials opted for college and state level grants to carry on their higher studies, generation z had to bear the burden of considerable student loans to pursue any program or degree they wanted to achieve. This made the highly ambitious generation z to be more conscious about the way they spend money. They may spend a lot more than the millennials, but they surely check if every penny spent is worth it.

3. Direct interaction
   While millennials faced a lot of problems in personal and professional lives due to indirect communication via emails or messages, Gen Z learned it well from their predecessors and garnered the benefits of technology to be connected directly. They may not meet each other personally for an interaction, yet with the use of techno tools like Skype, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Facetime, Hangouts, IMO, etc., Gen Z has turned communication from impersonal to interactive by adding features like motion, sound, full video, etc.

4. Globalized
   Though the Millennials were quite advanced in their thinking and behavioral patterns than its previous generations, yet the level of development varied from country to country, resulting in the millennials of one country being different from their counterparts in other countries. But the same doesn’t happen with Gen Z as they tend to have a more global similarity, i.e. different Gen Z individuals from different regions and countries tend to be at a similar level with their peers.

5. Education
   While millennials were more concerned with achieving higher educational degrees at colleges and universities to have a better level of knowledge, Gen Z prefers to gain the basic education in the traditional form and then move on to the online platform for gaining advanced skills.

6. Self-identity and uniqueness
   While individuals belonging to the millennials cohort had a natural tendency to go with the flow, Gen Z is more concerned with uniqueness. Whether that be the course, they want to study or the company they want to work for, they always look for some unique factors that will set them apart. Not only that, in the sector of individual style statements, choices, and preferences, etc. they want to try out something that’s totally different from, even if that means going to the point to being weird.

7. Tech based lifestyle
   As a matter of fact, the Millennials or Gen Y spent atleast a few years of their life without the invasion of technology and techno gadgets. However, this is not so true for Gen Z. From the very initial years of life, they were initiated into technology and hence, every aspect of their life is dependent on technology. From preparation of food to driving a vehicle, they need the support of a tech gadget or appliance for convenience.

8. Judgmental
   With many debatable issues like gay rights, gay marriages, transsexuals, transgenders, feminism, etc. already been introduced into the society before or during the period when they were born, Gen Z tends to be less worried or judgmental about these concepts than the millennials. They quite readily accept such concepts as did the millennials with concepts like racial equality.

9. Focus
   The world is being regularly updated, and these updates reach the Gen Z within a matter of minutes via Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Vine and hundreds of other apps that send hourly updates to the users. And the users, before they can apprehend one news, are loaded with tens of other news, updates or information, giving them very less time to grasp anything completely. As a result of this trend is that Gen Z tends to have very less focus or divided attention than the millennials.

10. Entrepreneurship
    In line with their desire to be different and also due to the freedom that they can experience, Gen Z has more tendency to step into the field of entrepreneurship than millennials do. According to studies, nearly 2/3 of Gen Z individuals want to start a business venture of their own very soon.

Now tell me whats your opinion on this?