You hear it all the time about Generation Z (people born between – roughly – 1995 and 2010) You hear, “Those kids, Gen Z, are so lazy, entitled, and soft...” Some of that is just the usual

older folk lamenting “These kids these days!!” It has been going on forever, but, there are

actually some things about this generation as it comes of age – these kids are now between 15

and 30 – that does in fact make them very different from previous generations.

They are the first generation never to know a world without the internet, so technology and social media is in their DNA for both good and ill. In America they are the first generation to be majority non-white. They were born into and have grown up in the post 9/11 world where terrorism is far more prevalent than in most past generations. They are a generation facing a future of enormous challenges, from climate change, to assault on democracy in America, to reasserting a kind of “Gilded Age” economy that makes a mockery of the American Dream.

They twice as likely as previous generations to report being depressed, anxious, and

pessimistic about the future.

They are a generation that has experienced the foundations that us older Americans depended on, crumbling beneath them. But, for all the bad news, and all the complaining about them, I find Gen Z to be thoughtful, compassionate, and amazingly creative as they tackle the problems we have left them to deal with.

Today’s program is the first in a series on Gen Z, who they are, how they are different, and what we can learn about and from them. Interviewing a bunch of them over the past few weeks have been tremendously encouraging and hopeful for me.

On today’s program you will hear Marcus and me discussing a series of issues with 4 members

of Gen Z:

Kaitlyn Falk is the Wellness Director for the City of Erie schools.

Chris Rosato is the general manager of Ascend Erie, a wall climbing company in downtown Erie with a social conscience.

Jenny Tompkins works in public policy with non-profits with a special emphasis on environmental issues.

Aaron Cronin is a recent college grad who has been our technical assistant, producer and NPR intern this past year.