Great read! I love that you drew the connection to Kicking and Screaming - such a great film in its sincere portrayal of the characters anxiously awaiting the next thing. It hit home with me.
Well, I believe every generation of young adults is challenged moving into adulthood, I do believe what Gen Z is facing as unique. They seem to share a lot with the Lost Generation of the early 20th century, yet the cultural context is completely different especially because of technology that provides unfettered, 24/7/365 access that keeps them (and a large swath of adults) wired and tethered to information as well as dis-/mis-information. As a result, they have watched climate disasters, gun violence in schools and in public events, wars, George, Floyd, and other events in real time, up close and personal. That’s had a tremendous effect on them. Additionally, they grew up in a time where they were told a gig economy could provide them a living so they could do what they truly want which turned out to be a total myth. They are lonely yet one deep connection, so is it any wonder their couch, surfing and struggling to find what’s meaningful?
perhaps this film and the show you’re watching provides some answers?
Good points. Neither the series "Adults" or "Rent Free" provide any answers as they exist as pure entertainment. We have to read between the lines and find the patterns.
Well, as I mentioned in my review they are having issues getting and keeping jobs, becoming financially independent, and establishing boundaries in personal relationships. They also drink, get high, and have a lot of sex. Yet, they support each other emotionally, and in the case of this film and the series "Adults" they live together to save money.
So, I guess the question is whether or not that's typical of twenty-somethings of every generation or if what's being portrayed is truly different. Personally, I find it quite different as does Ernst and Young in some of the research they did on Gen Z in 2020-21 that found Gen Z's experience during the pandemic "activated their activism, challenged their mental health, and redefined how they find meaning." This also included that as a group, their behavior post-pandemic showed" intolerance for indifference and rising stress levels." So, it makes sense that they are supporting each other emotionally and financially.
Ernst and Young divided Gen Z into five segments: Stressed Strivers, Authentic Activists, Big Dreamers, Secluded Perfectionists and Carefree Constituents. Sounds like these characters might be Big Dreamers who are "expecting to do well and make money but aren't necessarily willing to put in the effort" or Carefree Constituents who "go with the flow. . . , and adopt change once it's in the mainstream." I guess I'll have to watch these shows to see who might be being portrayed!
Yeah, that sounds about right. Mind you, I find these fictionalized stories really enjoyable to watch. Check out Adults on Hulu. It's a lot of fun! (By the way, aren't Ernst & Young the ones who screwed up the Oscars with that Moonlight/La La Land debacle?!)
Great read! I love that you drew the connection to Kicking and Screaming - such a great film in its sincere portrayal of the characters anxiously awaiting the next thing. It hit home with me.
Yes! We've all been there, right?! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Well, I believe every generation of young adults is challenged moving into adulthood, I do believe what Gen Z is facing as unique. They seem to share a lot with the Lost Generation of the early 20th century, yet the cultural context is completely different especially because of technology that provides unfettered, 24/7/365 access that keeps them (and a large swath of adults) wired and tethered to information as well as dis-/mis-information. As a result, they have watched climate disasters, gun violence in schools and in public events, wars, George, Floyd, and other events in real time, up close and personal. That’s had a tremendous effect on them. Additionally, they grew up in a time where they were told a gig economy could provide them a living so they could do what they truly want which turned out to be a total myth. They are lonely yet one deep connection, so is it any wonder their couch, surfing and struggling to find what’s meaningful?
perhaps this film and the show you’re watching provides some answers?
Good points. Neither the series "Adults" or "Rent Free" provide any answers as they exist as pure entertainment. We have to read between the lines and find the patterns.
What patterns are you seeing?
Well, as I mentioned in my review they are having issues getting and keeping jobs, becoming financially independent, and establishing boundaries in personal relationships. They also drink, get high, and have a lot of sex. Yet, they support each other emotionally, and in the case of this film and the series "Adults" they live together to save money.
So, I guess the question is whether or not that's typical of twenty-somethings of every generation or if what's being portrayed is truly different. Personally, I find it quite different as does Ernst and Young in some of the research they did on Gen Z in 2020-21 that found Gen Z's experience during the pandemic "activated their activism, challenged their mental health, and redefined how they find meaning." This also included that as a group, their behavior post-pandemic showed" intolerance for indifference and rising stress levels." So, it makes sense that they are supporting each other emotionally and financially.
Ernst and Young divided Gen Z into five segments: Stressed Strivers, Authentic Activists, Big Dreamers, Secluded Perfectionists and Carefree Constituents. Sounds like these characters might be Big Dreamers who are "expecting to do well and make money but aren't necessarily willing to put in the effort" or Carefree Constituents who "go with the flow. . . , and adopt change once it's in the mainstream." I guess I'll have to watch these shows to see who might be being portrayed!
Yeah, that sounds about right. Mind you, I find these fictionalized stories really enjoyable to watch. Check out Adults on Hulu. It's a lot of fun! (By the way, aren't Ernst & Young the ones who screwed up the Oscars with that Moonlight/La La Land debacle?!)
🤔