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It’s no secret that Generation Z often faces criticism for being "lazy." From the Gen Z CEO who defends working from bed to TikTok trends like "quiet quitting" and "lazy girl jobs," this generation has developed a reputation for minimal effort. Their elders have taken notice, with figures like *Sister Act* star Whoopi Goldberg chastising young people for not wanting to "bust their behinds" as her generation did.
When 54-year-old comedian Rick Mercer joined in on the critique of younger workers, it was the final straw for one Gen Zer who highlighted the double standard of older generations. In response to Mercer mocking young people for complaining about the 40-hour workweek, 27-year-old Robbie Scott fired back, pointing out that baby boomers don’t understand what it’s like to work hard and still "get nothing in return." His viral TikTok video resonated with over 2 million viewers.
Scott criticized the notion that those who bought four-bedroom homes and luxury cars on a $30,000-a-year salary can comprehend the struggles of today's young professionals. “We need to stop expecting the same damn people…to understand what it’s like to be working 40-plus hours a week with a master’s degree and still not being able to afford a 400-square-foot studio apartment in bumf-ck Iowa,” he scoffed.
### Gen Z vs. Millennials: A Different Work Ethic?
While Gen Z and millennials are often grouped together as the office youngsters, millennials, now in their 30s and 40s, have gained credibility in the workplace. According to a poll by Resume Genius, 45% of hiring managers expect to hire more millennials, making them the most sought-after candidates. Even some Gen Z managers find their peers challenging to work with, but Gen Z might have legitimate reasons for feeling disillusioned.
### Why Is Gen Z So Angry?
According to Scott, Gen Z isn’t lazy or entitled—they’re frustrated because they’ve done everything they were told but haven’t seen the promised rewards. “What’s sh-tty is, we’re holding up our end of the deal,” Scott said. “We’re staying in school. We’re going to college. We’ve been working since we were 15, 16 years old…doing everything that y’all told us to do so that we can what? Still be living in our parents’ homes in our late twenties?”
He has a point. Millennials are the most educated generation in history, with Gen Z close behind, yet their financial prospects and job opportunities pale compared to those of Gen X graduates. The current job market is particularly tough, with about 20% of job seekers having looked for 10 to 12 months without success.
After accumulating thousands in student debt, many young people hear executives claim that degrees hold little value and that most jobs could be obtained without one. It’s no wonder, then, that 24% of Americans with student loan debt consider it their biggest financial regret, according to Bankrate.
To make matters worse, even when young people secure jobs, their salaries often don’t stretch as far as their parents' did. To afford the median-priced home at $433,100, Americans would need an annual income of roughly $166,600. However, the median household earns just $78,538, and entry-level positions pay significantly less. Since the year 2000, house prices have risen more than twice as fast as incomes, forcing many young workers to juggle multiple jobs to keep up with rising living costs.
“I know people in their mid-thirties who have been working for 20 years,” Scott noted. “That’s like 70% of their waking life they have been working and they still cannot afford to purchase their first home.”
Scott emphasized that millennials and Gen Z are working harder than any previous generation while earning disproportionately less. “Millennials and Gen Z are working more than any other generation ever has,” he added. “We are also making considerably and disproportionately much less than any other generation has.”
### 'They Sold Us a Lie'
The disparity between today's graduates and those of earlier generations struck a chord with young people who feel they chased an unattainable dream. “I will forever regret going to college,” one user commented. “They sold us a lie.” Another echoed, “My first job at 16 paid $7.25 an hour. 10 years later I have a bachelor’s degree and am making $14 an hour.”
Even a Gen X viewer acknowledged the increased challenges faced by younger workers: “I’m 44 and [I’ll] tell you—we are NOT working the same 40 hours as we did when I was 25. We’re doing the work of 2–3 people now.”
However, not everyone agreed. One commenter blamed young people for pursuing degrees that don’t lead to high-paying jobs, saying, “Y'all go get these stupid degrees that don’t get good-paying jobs then cry about it being everyone’s fault.”
Despite differing opinions, Scott’s message captured the frustration felt by many young people today: despite working hard and following traditional paths to success, they find themselves struggling to achieve the stability and prosperity once promised to them.