Numerous stereotypes exist regarding the status of different generations. Older generations believe that younger generations are less respectful, are more entitled, or are lazier, if not all three. While younger generations feel as though they’re all doing their best, despite the potential economic crisis we’re seemingly facing. However, a recent TikTok addresses why younger generations don’t want to work, and many feel the woman’s reasoning is fairly accurate.
TikTok Speaks to the Masses
Mik, or @thatginger4567, has over 12,000 followers and posted a video a few months ago that many feel perfectly sums up life for younger generations. In September of 2023, she posted the TikTok which now has more than 14,000 comments. After making her introduction, she prefaces her video because she loves her job and would likely “get bored” if she didn’t work. In contrast, she explains that her generation doesn’t want to work because “the purpose of a job is supposed to pay for you to be able to afford to live. And that’s just not the case anymore. People in my generation who went to college, who did everything they were supposed to do – worked hard in school, went to a good college, graduated with their degree, yada yada, got their first job, and they can’t afford to live,”
@thatginger4567 Why my generation is so “lazy” #costoflivingcrisis #inflation #genz #millenials #postgrad #recession ♬ original sound - Mik
Sharing a Powerful Perspective
Furthermore, she shares that “we’re working 40 to 60 hours a week, on average. And we cannot afford to live. We just do not make enough to pay rent, to pay for food. Everything is so expensive right now. And wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. So we are working full-time, giving up a huge portion of our lives to work, and we can’t even afford to live,” she continues.
“We can barely afford to pay our rent, and buy food. A lot of us have two or three jobs or work a full-time job and have several side hustles. That is the case for me. And then older generations just look at us and they’re like, ‘You’re not working hard enough. This is your fault.‘”
The Heartbreaking Message Continues
Next, she takes some time to prove she’s done the research to back her claims. “The reason we can’t get by is because the cost of living since the ’90s has gone up 67%, while the wages have only gone up 18%. So wages have not kept up with the cost of living. That is why we can’t afford to live.” She shares.
In conclusion, “We’re also in extreme debt because everything is so much more expensive than it used to be. College is way more expensive than it used to be. Cars are way more expensive than they used to be. Housing – way more expensive than it used to be. And on top of all that, politicians and older generations are destroying our environment, not doing anything to protect it. So we don’t even know that there’ll be a habitable earth when we’re older, to live in. So yeah, that makes us pretty pessimistic and nihilistic and not want to work.”
With older generations having to go back to the workforce, and the visible increase in grocery and utility bills, it should come as no surprise to older generations that this would have an impact on younger generations as well. Mik disclosed that she made the video because “as a young person in the workforce“, she’s “frustrated“.
Sad Revelations from Others
Many people quickly commented and they mostly aligned with her own. “I am so tired i don’t wanna work I don’t even wanna be alive anymore lmao so forget working too.” Commented one follower. “Insane most of us are 1 medical emergency or accident from being homeless altogether.” Another sadly pointed out.
“Humans are being conflated with replaceable machine parts. Our productivity is being squeezed out for less than the value of our lives.” Said another, perhaps partially sarcastic. Meanwhile, another explained, “FACTS! I work 40 hours a week at my corporate job and STILL need2run my yard service business to pay for my home(1975) and truck(2004) not a glam life.”
The sad reality for many Americans is exactly this. Many are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of living and more and more people are finding themselves without homes or money to eat and pay the bills. Others are working multiple jobs, and in some cases also trying to go to school.
Statistics Show Significant Change
According to a Self Financial Report published in 2023, the years 1985 and 2000 were the most rewarding for college graduates because employees were given around 81% of their “pre-tax salary left after expenditure.” In contrast, college graduates today are making around $7,000 less per year than reports from 1984.
Alternatively, report by Trading Economics shows that in the month of October, Americans saw a mild amount of relief from inflation as slowed to 3.2% from 3.7% in August as well as September. Furthermore, fuel and utility costs also seemingly reflected lower averages. However, the inflation rate is still higher than expected so more relief in the near future is uncertain. Furthermore, many wonder if they’ll ever be able to achieve a work-personal life balance.