Zoomers vs Millennials: How the youngest generation is rewriting the rules
Photo: Generation Z is sensitive to the world around them (Getty Images)
Overall, the concept of a generation is quite relative. Both Zoomers and Millennials shape today's trends and set the tone for Ukraine's future. At the same time, they approach lifestyle, career, and money differently, Liudmyla Cherenko, PhD in Economic Sciences, Head of Department for Studying Standards of Life of the Population at Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
How Zoomers differ from Millennials
"In general, the concept of a generation is quite conditional. Americans conducted research on how generations identify themselves. Nearly 90% of Baby Boomers (people born in the 1940s to early 1960s -ed.) identify with their generation. Most Zoomers, however, don’t even understand the concept," the expert said.
She explained that Zoomers were "born in the new millennium (from the early 2000s), while Millennials (generally considered to be born from 1983 to 2000) were growing up during that period."
"They also grew up in the era of new technologies, when technological consciousness underwent a complete shift," Cherenko noted.
According to her, in one study, Millennials were referred to as the "spirit of freedom," while Zoomers were labeled as "eco-conscious."
"This is the main difference between them," the specialist emphasized.
She added that they also have much in common, as both groups consist of young people.
"Zoomers are very young and have not fully had the chance to express themselves. We can only guess how they will develop in the future, as most of them are still under 25 years old. In terms of the modern world, they are considered children," the expert said.
At the same time, Zoomers "have a more acute sense of justice than Millennials."
"Millennials focus on their choices, their correctness, and self-realization. Zoomers, on the other hand, are more sensitive to everything. They care about climate change and gender equality. This is a generation of altruists," Cherenko explained.
In private life, common trends among Zoomers include:
- Vegetarianism;
- Conscious consumption;
- Use of vegan leather.
"Zoomers are positively pragmatic, while Millennials are life-pragmatic," the specialist added.
Moreover, Zoomers are considered a high-tech generation capable of technological breakthroughs because they "grew up with smartphones in their hands."
"Older generations often had to take difficult paths in learning. Zoomers shorten these paths, spending little time searching for information. They learn technological things better and faster because they don’t have to study them — they grow up with them," Cherenko concluded.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on habits that quietly undermine the lives of Zoomers, often without their awareness.
