Sean McDowell | September 12, 2019

10 Fascinating Insights that Unlock the Minds of Gen Z

SeanMcDowell.org

Recently I was reading a new report on understanding Gen Z, which focuses on the smaller segment of those currently 18-21 years old. The analysis matches up nicely with the previous research that J. Warner Wallace and I chronicle in our book So the Next Generation Will Know.

In an effort to help any older generation (yep, that’s you Millennials!) who interacts with Gen Zers, here are 10 insights help explain how adult Gen Zers tend to understand the world:

1. The two most widely shared goals are to make money (70%) and have a successful career (69%). 39% cited getting married as a “very important” life goal.

2. They have grown up with global online communities at their fingertips, which influences how they think about borders and identity.

3. Gen Z is entering adulthood with $4.2 million dollars to spend as new consumers, and their primary focus is on individual value and self-care.

4. Their top values include open-mindedness (67%) and rational thinking (61%), but only 39% say they value spirituality.

5. Gen Zers are generally optimistic about their personal well-being (44%) and finances (42%), but less optimistic about the future of the world (28%) and the U.S. (25%).

6. They are less trusting of the military (68%), police (56%), and religious leaders than previous generations (43%).

7. Gen Zers are less likely than previous generations to have a positive view of democracy (29%) and capitalism (17%), and more like to have a positive view of socialism (15%).

8. Gen Zers report mass shootings (65%) and the election of Donald Trump (64%) as the events that have had the biggest impact on their worldviews.

9. Gen Zers cite terrorism (65%), climate change (60%), and discrimination (58%) as the most critical threats to the U.S. over the next decade. Only 24% cite the growing role of technology in daily life.

10. While Gen Zers care about the ethical, political, and social stance of a company, the top two factors that contribute to brand loyalty are quality (80%) and price (65%).

So the Next Generation Will Know

If you care about helping young people develop a Christian worldview, then please check out my recent book (co-written with J. Warner Wallace), So the Next Generation Will Know. It is a practical guide for parents, youth leaders, Christian schoolteacher, and other caring adults who want to pass on their faith to the next generation.

Sean McDowell, Ph.D. is a professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, a best-selling author, popular speaker, and part-time high school teacher. Follow him on Twitter: @sean_mcdowell, TikTok, Instagram, and his blog: seanmcdowell.org.