Intergenerational Change in 2020

by Daisy Watson-Rumbold

(image: Li-An Lim)

"What can we do to change it?". A question asked by someone in the Youth Cabinet I chair. A question that seems to come out of the mouths of young people more than ever before. Changing the world and all of its injustice appears to be more of a hobby for Generation Z. However, why are young people so engaged in making social change? And how have we managed to change the world even in isolation?

Gen Zs, the demographic born between 1996 and 2010, standing proudly as the largest generation, making up a solid 32% of the population. We pursue education more than any other generation, with 59% of us going to university and saving the most money. We are politically aware; however, we are less partisan than any other age group, focusing on progressive politics over party politics. World domination seems to come pretty naturally to us.

The lockdown has made me wonder where the deeply-rooted desire for transformation and diversification has come from. Whether the intergenerational divisions that exist in our society have created a generation which will upheave all unnecessary tradition. Or whether the fear of an unfathomable future has driven a generation to invent a new reality. 

Topics such as climate change have stretched the intergenerational gap even wider. The human-made climate destruction in our world is nothing new. However, with the introduction of organisations such as extinction rebellion, fuelled by young people and idolising Greta Thunberg, anger has arisen to the surface of an already bubbling pot. Ever since the global ecology movement began, the argument for generational justice has become more prominent than ever. Homogeneous experiences have inspired Generation Zs to fight for a world they have never experienced. The oldest Gen Z will be 24 this year, meaning they have lived through 9/11, the election of two historically significant American presidents, world-wide climate warnings, and now a global pandemic. 

Especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, which reshaped the economy, society and political atmosphere we all knew, Generation Z peers into an uncertain, and unprecedented future. Amidst all of this uncertainty, there has been no hesitation in the support for the Black Lives Matter campaign ignited by the death of George Floyd. 4 out of 5 Gen Zs support the movement and have been vocal on social media platforms about the issue. Labelled as one of the most influential movements in generations, the Black Lives Matter protests have been dominated by Gen Zs holding their own. The humanity and compassion that has been shown by young people and older generations may be lending itself as a peace treaty of sorts: some glue to help close a gap that has only been widening over time.

Seventy-thousand years ago, our ancestors were insignificant animals, barely leaving a mark on the places they settled; now humans rule the earth and control the outcome of all of humanity, the animal kingdom and any other social constructs that are currently in place. The beautiful thing about the human race is that every notable achievement that humans have made has been collective, based purely on our ability to communicate and co-operate. Democracy, human rights (and consequently the UN), the development of vaccines and the Olympics are all examples of collective human success. We have imaginations that stretch as far as we like, with no limitations. This power to conceptualise new realities enabled Sapiens, as a collective, to conquer the world. So why has something as simple as generational difference sabotaged our collectivism and brought a burden on our society? Even better… How can we fix it?

Two approaches can be taken. We could wait, let generations fade out and hope that the children of Gen Zs and their children are taught to live in generational harmony. This is evidently ineffective, but it's easy and seems to be what humans have been trying to do forever. Alternatively, society could pinpoint where it is lacking, and build a new world, therefore a new future: more institutions that strive for better representation of minorities, causes and of generations, more education systems that aim to make children interested and not drained, and more than anything, restore our sense of collectivism. We tend to cling onto what we know, and we are averse to change, but in order for a more balanced and egalitarian future, it is necessary. Take a step back and reflect on the world you live in, and then consider the one you want to live in. That's the only way we are ever going to change.