"One recent study finds most Gen Z adults would rather have a pet than a child.
Furry companions are playing a more central role in the lives of many Gen Zers. Gen Z pet owners are willing to make sacrifices for their pets more than any other generation, reflecting the changing profile of pet owners and the desire to have something to care for and love as part of the family.
Pet ownership by generation
Pet ownership statistics reveal that millennials comprise the highest percentage of pet owners in the U.S, among the generations: Millennials make up the largest percentage of current pet owners (33%), followed by Gen X (25%) and baby boomers (24%).
A new survey of pet owners shows 41% of Gen Z'ers are more likely to spend $100 on their pet than on their partner. One-third of respondents say they get more joy from seeing their pet happy than their partner. Half said they would actually give up romance for a year if it meant their pet could live an extra year.
Age ranges from Gen Z to Baby Boomers explained. Millions of Gen Z are set to turn 21 this year. G eneration Z's oldest members are turning 26 in 2023, with millions in the social demographic set to come of age this year.
Looking at their favorite activities by age, 13-18-year-olds are the most likely to say they “go out with friends” for fun in an average night, but playing video or mobile tops their list, followed by watching TV or movies.
According to the studies, 81 % of Gen Z admit Instagram and YouTube are their favorite platforms. The survey with Gen Z-ers helps businesses know which platform they are using the most.
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z has little to no memory of a world without the internet, smartphones, and social media. Technology is a substantial part of their life. Being continually connected can also result in self-esteem issues and feeling pressure to conform.
One in four Gen Z respondents reported feeling more emotionally distressed (25 percent), almost double the levels reported by millennial and Gen X respondents (13 percent each), and more than triple the levels reported by baby boomer respondents (8 percent). 3.
The Greatest Generation commonly refers to those Americans who were born in the 1900s through the 1920s. The Greatest Generation members all lived through the Great Depression and many of them fought in World War II. These individuals have often been described as driven, patriotic, and team-players.
Millennials chose pets as their perfect companions during the pandemic, especially when they were forced to stay at home for months or longer. It's what kept them sane and happy during those trying times.
Many millennials are waiting longer to get married, buy a house, or have children, and they're instead choosing to become pet owners. "They treat them like it was their firstborn child," Beverley Petrunich, owner of DoGone Fun, a dog day-care center in Chicago told The Journal.
Three in 10 young people often or always feel lonely
But that all means roughly three in 10 young people say rate their loneliness from seven to 10, feeling lonely often or always. Millennials are slightly more likely than Gen Z to say they often or always feel lonely.
Gen Z moms feel less confident.
They put more emphasis on being the "perfect mom" compared to Millennials, and they strive to reach more parenting ideals, from keeping kids busy to owning the scheduling for the entire family.
New research from talent management company Cangrade has looked at workplace happiness generation by generation. And a survey of 600 individuals found that Gen Z is the most unhappy generation at work. Just 59% of Gen Z workers are happy, compared to 69% for Baby Boomers and 76% for Millennials and Gen X.
Students fear a lack of finances and fulfilment
The greatest fears for Generation Z centre on not achieving their hopes and dreams for the future.
Gen Z has been called the 'most depressed generation' with the least positive outlook and diminished emotional and social well-being. They have more unmet social needs than any other generation. The statistics for their behavioural-health issues – mental and substance disorders – are alarming.
It's no secret that every single generation has endured horrible trauma of one variety or another. But Generation Z is likely the most aware of (and most openly vocal about) the concept of trauma, its lasting mental health aspects, and mental health conditions in general.
According to a February 2022 Ogilvy study, 70% of Gen-Zers say their mental health needs the most attention or improvement. And an American Psychological Association report found that Gen-Z is more likely to report mental health concerns than any other demographic group.
They're impulsive. Another weakness of Gen Z is that they can be quite impulsive. With instant gratification being so easily accessible, this generation has difficulty waiting for anything. They want what they want and they want it now!
But they're also stressed out about things like politics, the environment, violence and work issues. Nearly 90 percent of Z's say they don't feel set up for success and 75 percent of them believe they are at a disadvantage compared to the older generations.
Gen Z loves free stuff. Who doesn't? But it goes deeper than our inherent desire to enjoy free product. This is not an open endorsement to give away your product 100% of the time either.
According to a recent study, 30% of Generation Z say they are using social media platforms to find potential dates. For Gen Z, online dating is not strange or uncommon. It is just another way to find a romantic partner.