Maya ’26

I am most annoyed by the stereotype that Gen Z is too tech-dependent. I do agree that many Gen Z people heavily rely on technology, but at this point in time, everyone does. There are plenty of adults who are just as heavily addicted to their devices as Gen Z is, but it’s only called out when Gen Z does it. I also believe that part of it was out of our control, and we were raised with the upbringing of technology, so naturally, we are more prone to using it. I also think a lot of people don’t always know what’s going on behind the screens, so it’s not fair to generalize about its usage. I personally use my phone a lot for positive reasons, like staying in touch with my friends and family. While phones and other devices can absolutely be addicting and have negative effects, they can also be used for positive things. Overall, I am annoyed by this stereotype because I think it’s not fair for older generations to generalize about Gen Z’s technology usage because they aren’t the only ones addicted to it, and because it’s not always being used in a negative way.

Grace ’27

The Gen Z stereotype that frustrates me the most is that we are addicted to social media. Although many of us spend time on social media, it is an important way that we communicate, stay connected, share ideas, and organize for causes that we care about. Social media can be distracting, but it does not mean that we are lazy or irresponsible. It often allows us to be more informed, creative, and involved than past generations could be at our age. It gives us a platform to learn about the world, support things we believe in, and hear from people with different experiences. Social media is a tool that helps us form and find communities, amplify people’s voices who might not otherwise be heard, and take action on issues that matter. Instead of being a weakness, it is a vital part of how our generation navigates the world. 

Maddie ’28

The Gen Z stereotype that annoys me the most is that we are lazy and have no work ethic. I think this is coming from the belief that older generations being able to have things like jobs, houses, and families faster is because they worked harder for those things, but this isn’t true. Gen Z has fewer opportunities to buy houses and get jobs that pay enough to support a full family comfortably. This is because of higher college prices, loss of job opportunities, and more job requirements. For example, a Boomer could go to college and have it paid off by the time they got a job. For Gen Z, they could do the same and then get a job that would barely support one person. A grocery store job could support a family of four enough to buy a decent home in the Boomer generation. Gen Z could have multiple degrees and loads of college debt, and only be able to get a low-level job, if any.

Lara ’29

The stereotype that irritates me the most is that Gen Z is too “woke” or too loud/angry about politics. Gen Z has grown up through a series of “unprecedented” times where politics seem to be evolving, and simple rights and empathy for others are nonexistent. I often think older generations, who have the ability to make an impact, aren’t doing enough. Gen Z is vocal about politics because no one else seems to be, and we are attempting to improve the world that we will inherit. I have so much pride in my generation for utilizing all the resources we have, like social media and attending protests, to drive change in the world. I don’t understand how anyone can live in this world and not feel angry and not want to initiate change. 

Elise ’27

The stereotype about Gen Z that frustrates me the most is the stereotype that Gen Z is unmotivated or lazy in comparison to other generations. I think that it only appears that Gen Z does less work because the work we do is online. It may look like kids now are doing less work, but in reality, they are doing the same amount, if not more work, than the generations before them; it’s just less physical and more online. I’d argue that the standards for education and work are a lot higher now than they previously were for other generations, meaning Gen Z is actually working harder than those who came before them.

Carl ’27

I think that I’m most annoyed by the “everyone’s woke” stereotype, because Gen Z has some of the most “anti-woke” people in it. In fairness, Gen Z is probably the most “woke” generation, even compared to Gen Alpha, but that by no means says everyone’s on the same page. 

Maeve ’27

I think that most of the stereotypes about Gen Z are real. As someone in Gen Z, we are too lazy, on social media too much, and AI is probably melting our brains and such. I agree that not everyone fits into each of these boxes, but it is common that our generation is sensitive and can be disrespectful. But everyone can change, so I believe that generalizations can be harmful and there is a fine line between them.  

Ruby ’27

The most annoying stereotype for me is that Gen Z is not nice or respectful to older people. If anything, many older people are not very kind to younger people today. It makes me very annoyed because I think Gen Z is very respectful for the most part and doesn’t get enough credit for it. All of the people I have met my age have shown nothing but respect, but I have definitely met older people who were not respectful to my friends. Part of it is all of the more liberal ideas that a lot of Gen Z has about LGBTQ, gender roles, etc., that a lot of older people have trouble accepting. It can also be hard to have good conversations with older people who don’t believe a lot of the same things you do, and be able to have a good conversation about that. 

Lyla ’28

The most annoying Gen Z stereotype is that we are lazy and have no work ethic. In every generation, there are going to be people who are lazy, but Gen Z gets so much more hate for it. It makes me annoyed because I do work very hard and I know a lot of people who work hard. It feels disrespectful that people assume that we don’t work. Many people come in with judgments, thinking they know a person before they actually meet them, which can be very frustrating when talking to adults. 

Emilia ’27

A Gen Z stereotype that bothers me is that Gen Z is too “woke” or sensitive. I firmly believe that new ideas and beliefs are born with every new generation, which is why I think it’s unfair to deem Gen Z as too sensitive or progressive. Things that are now accepted as normal were once “too progressive” in the past. For example, past generations have worked to open doors for people of color and women, and Gen Z focuses a lot on opening doors for the LGBTQ+ community or fighting for similar causes.

Julia ’28

A stereotype that bothers me is that Gen Z people are addicted to social media and that we are always on our phones instead of being social. It’s true that social media and phones are a big part of our lives, however, the idea that Gen Z would rather be on their phones instead of being social is simply not true. All of the teens I know value their in-person social time and balance it well with their online life. Often in social settings, my group of friends makes a phone pile so that we can be in the moment.   

Joely ’28

A Gen Z stereotype that annoys me is that the use of screens and the internet is making us lazy. While scrolling is definitely prevalent in our generation, millennials and Gen X also use social media. I also think that it is unfair to say that technology makes our generation more lazy, as modern technology can be used in good ways to make your life easier and more efficient. I also think that social media can exist and be used in a productive way, like people who teach others things on YouTube or promote their businesses on Instagram.

Will ’27

A Gen Z stereotype that annoys me is how we are “lazy” and have no work ethic. School is a lot to manage, especially in the later years of high school, and we are often exhausted when school concludes. This does not even mention the amount of homework we can have, and oftentimes, too much is expected of us. 

Anna ’27

The most annoying stereotype about Gen Z for me is that we’re “lazy” and don’t want to work. There may be some who are unmotivated, but a lot of Gen Z people I know work very hard every day, and I feel that it isn’t fair to generalize an entire generation as lazy. Some people from older generations tend to be judgmental of Gen Z, without acknowledging the things we have to deal with.