The snowflake generation has it harder, not easier than previous generations.
The Snowflake Generation, a nickname for the combined generations of the Millennials and Generation Z, receive their fair share of teasing. The jest often includes references to the heydays of generations past, with ideas that the current, modern world is a far easier than the ones that other generations, for instance the baby boomers, had to contend with.
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The Argument
The Snowflake Generation, a nickname for the combined generations of the Millennials and Generation Z, receive their fair share of teasing. The jest often includes references to the heydays of generations past, with ideas that the current, modern world is far easier than the ones that other generations, for instance the Baby Boomers, had to contend with.[1] However, this is an unfair and inaccurate analysis of struggle. By many measures, the Snowflake Generation has it far more difficult than any previous generation. In 2020, this generation has faced immense challenges. As the working and school age population, they have been forced to contend with the heavy impact of COVID-19 all but destroying normal life. Outside of the context of 2020 and coronavirus, life isn’t exactly easier.[2] Yes, there is increased technology, education, and an improving quality of life, but climate change poses an existential threat, the financial markets are increasingly unstable, racial reckonings are occurring throughout the world, and mental health as an epidemic is prevalent.[3] It is incredibly unfair to dismiss or insult the Snowflake Generation before truly understanding their predicament; they exist in one of the most turbulent worlds in memory.
Counter arguments
Imagining that their lives are more difficult than they actually are is a characteristic trait of a young snowflake. The world has its problems, and they are real, genuine, inescapable concerns, but such is the fate of every generation.[4] The Snowflake Generation has it much easier due to two main facts. The first being the lack of threat of war or drafting, which marked the experience of every generation beforehand. The second is an increase in access: access to education, to technology, to international opportunities, to other people, to equality.[5] To squander this reality is to disrespect those who worked to improve their lives.
Proponents
Premises
Rejecting the premises
References
- https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2019/12/12/who-has-it-harder-millennials-or-boomers-we-asked-you-answered/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/americans-are-lonelier-ever-gen-z-may-be-loneliest-ncna873101
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/opinion/sunday/were-making-life-too-hard-for-millennials.html
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2017/11/30/why-the-world-is-getting-better-why-hardly-anyone-knows-it/#3775cbd77826
- https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/essay/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far/