Every generation faces its own challenges, but Gen Z has grown up in a world that’s changing faster than ever before.
You have to feel for them, really. With the pressures of social media, economic uncertainty, and constant global crises, life feels more overwhelming than it did for those of us who grew up in earlier decades. While they often get criticised for being “soft” or struggling to handle adulthood, the reality is a lot more complicated than that, and we should probably offer them a bit more grace and understanding. After all, there are plenty of reasons Gen Z struggles more than previous generations — and it’s not really their fault.
1. They’ve never known life without the internet.
Older generations experienced a time before social media, constant notifications, and 24/7 connectivity. Gen Z, on the other hand, has grown up in a world where they are always online. They’ve never had the luxury of just switching off and escaping the noise.
While technology has brought many conveniences, it’s also created a culture of comparison, pressure, and information overload. They’re expected to be reachable at all times, keep up with endless trends, and somehow filter through the constant stream of conflicting opinions. It’s exhausting.
2. The cost of living is out of control.
Previous generations love to talk about how they worked hard and bought a house in their twenties, but that’s just not realistic for Gen Z. Wages haven’t kept up with inflation, and housing prices have skyrocketed, making financial independence feel like an absolute pipe dream.
Rent is unaffordable, homeownership feels impossible, and even basic expenses like groceries and energy bills are harder to manage. It’s no surprise that many young people feel like they’re falling behind before they even get started.
3. They’re expected to be “successful” way too early.
Social media constantly bombards Gen Z with stories of teenagers starting million-pound businesses or 20-year-olds buying their first house. There’s this unspoken pressure to have everything figured out by an unrealistic age.
Instead of allowing time for trial and error, they feel like failures if they don’t hit major milestones early. The pressure to be financially independent, career-driven, and “making it” before 25 is unrealistic and crushing.
4. Mental health struggles are at an all-time high.
While previous generations certainly dealt with anxiety and depression, they didn’t grow up in an environment where stress was constant and unavoidable. Gen Z has been exposed to global crises, financial instability, and social pressures from a young age.
The good news is they’re more open about mental health, but access to proper care is still a challenge. Therapy is expensive, waiting lists are long on the NHS, and the expectation to just “cope” with things can make their struggles feel even more isolating.
5. Social media has made self-esteem more fragile.
Older generations might have compared themselves to the people in their town or workplace, but Gen Z is up against the entire world. Every time they scroll, they see influencers with perfect bodies, people their age achieving huge milestones, and an unrealistic version of reality.
It’s not just about looks, either. There’s pressure to be successful, funny, interesting, and constantly improving. The fear of being judged online makes social anxiety worse, and even small mistakes can be broadcast to an audience of thousands.
6. They’ve been raised with unrealistic expectations.
Source: Unsplash Gen Z grew up hearing they could do anything they wanted if they just worked hard enough. While this sounds motivating, it also sets up unrealistic expectations. They were told that university was a guaranteed path to success, that following their passion would lead to financial stability, and that anything was possible.
Reality has hit hard. Many graduates are stuck in low-paying jobs, “dream careers” aren’t as accessible as they were promised, and hard work doesn’t always lead to big rewards. The disappointment is real, and many are struggling to adjust to a world that doesn’t match what they were led to believe.
7. They have no work-life balance.
Source: Unsplash Thanks to the gig economy, side hustles, and the rise of remote work, Gen Z is always “on.” Unlike previous generations, who could leave work at the office, many young people feel pressure to be available at all hours.
The idea of a stable 9-to-5 job with a clear work-life balance is becoming rare. Instead, many are juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet, and even their hobbies are being turned into side hustles for extra cash.
8. They’re constantly being judged by older generations.
Source: Pexels Every generation thinks the ones after them are weaker, but Gen Z has taken a lot of heat. They’re labelled as lazy, entitled, and overly sensitive, when in reality, they’re dealing with more stress, instability, and uncertainty than their parents ever did at their age.
Instead of being given room to grow, they’re constantly compared to previous generations who had entirely different opportunities and challenges. Being judged for struggling in an impossible system only makes things harder.
9. They’ve grown up with political and economic instability.
Source: Unsplash While previous generations had their own struggles, Gen Z has spent their entire lives watching recessions, political chaos, and climate disasters unfold in real time. There’s never been a sense of security, only constant reminders that the world is unpredictable.
Seeing global crises unfold daily on social media makes it hard to feel optimistic about the future. When everything feels unstable, it’s difficult to plan for anything long-term.
10. They don’t feel safe anywhere.
Source: Unsplash From school shootings to rising crime rates, safety is a huge concern for Gen Z. Unlike previous generations, they’ve grown up with active shooter drills, online threats, and an overwhelming sense that danger can strike anywhere, anytime.
Feeling unsafe in schools, public spaces, and even online takes a serious mental toll. Instead of growing up carefree, many have learned to live with a level of fear that previous generations never had to consider.
11. Relationships feel more complicated than ever.
Source: Unsplash Dating used to be straightforward — people met through mutual friends, went on dates, and committed if things felt right. Now, online dating has changed everything. Ghosting, situationships, and unrealistic standards have made modern relationships feel more confusing and emotionally draining.
With so many options available, commitment feels less certain. People are hesitant to settle down, and dating culture often leaves young people feeling disposable and exhausted.
12. They’re always expected to be “on.”
Source: Unsplash Between social media, work demands, and social pressures, there’s no time to switch off. Older generations had clear boundaries between work, socialising, and personal time; Gen Z, however, is expected to be available 24/7.
Taking a break from social media feels impossible without missing out. Setting boundaries with work can cost opportunities. And simply disappearing for a while can make other people think something is wrong. The pressure to always be present is exhausting.
13. They’ve inherited a climate crisis they can’t fix alone.
Source: Unsplash Gen Z is deeply aware of the state of the planet, but they feel powerless to change it. They’ve been told to use paper straws and recycle, while watching corporations and governments continue to pollute on a massive scale.
It’s hard to feel hopeful about the future when the biggest issues feel out of their control. Many experience “climate anxiety,” a growing sense of dread about the long-term sustainability of life as we know it.
14. They’ve been taught to be independent but are stuck relying on other people.
Source: Unsplash Gen Z has been raised to value independence, but financial struggles mean many still live with their parents well into adulthood. They want to be self-sufficient but are trapped by circumstances beyond their control.
It’s frustrating to be told to “just move out” or “get a better job” when the economy makes it nearly impossible. This contradiction — being expected to act like an adult while still needing support — leaves many feeling stuck.
