We humans put stuff into categories. Psychologists would say that we’re hard-wired for it. It’s how we recognise things and make sense of the world. Good versus evil, living versus non-living, hip hop versus metal (music). In fact, once we categorise, once we’ve placed things into their neat little boxes, there’s a tendency to go further, creating even smaller boxes, to refine our initial categorisation. Take metal music for instance, beloved genre of young people. It’s extremely loud even when you’ve set the volume to low. Exemplified by intensely distorted guitars, wildly driving drums and singers who seem to spit virtually undecipherable lyrics by dragging their voice up through what seems to be shredded vocal cords, we subdivide even more. Is it Funk Metal, Rap Metal or Viking Metal, Sludge Metal or Pirate Metal; maybe it could be Funeral Doom? Regardless of category, as my ears still bleed from sampling these various “categories” I can say in truth, definitely not a fan.
Categorising allows us to place specific identifying features to things making them easier to identify and work with. It’s unsurprising then, that demographers and social pundits will classify people in generational categories. The Baby Boomer generation is filled with old folk born between 1946-1964. Generation X, slightly younger, was born between 1965 and 1980; Millennials between 1981 and 1996 and Generation Z, the youngsters, from 1997 to the present.
We here at the top of Mary Street have a population consisting of a few Baby Boomers, some Generation X, quite a number of Millennials and a huge number (comparatively) of Gen Z. They are our young men who stand in the yard or sit in classrooms. They are all Gen Z.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation, a philanthropic organisation that helps vulnerable young people and their families, categorises Gen Z as follows.
Diversity is their norm.
They are more likely to have grown up amid diverse family structures. They are less likely than previous generations to be concerned by differences in race, sexual orientation or religion.
They are our first true “Digital Natives”
Gen Z kids were born into a world of powerful technological innovation with virtually unlimited information accessible at the touch of a screen and, with social media ubiquitous.
Positively this access to information allows Gen Z to have a broad knowledge base and be proactive about learning. On the negative side, too much screen time can be cause for concern.
They are pragmatic and financially minded.
Gen Z values the stability that comes from conservative spending, stable work environments and wise investment.
Many factors contribute to Mental Health challenges.
Referred to by some as “the loneliest generation” limitless hours spent online, on smart phones or binge-watching streaming services can foster feelings of isolation and stress.
They are shrewd consumers.
Gen Z behaviours reflect the value and the influence of an increasingly digital world. They are uncannily tech savvy and can use extensive social media networks to make informed purchasing decisions.
They are pragmatic, evaluating product options and are apparently more likely to be swayed by the recommendation of real people than superficial celebrity.
They are politically progressive.
Gen Z are more likely to advocate for the rights of oppressed and marginalised groups, as well as look to holding governments accountable for critical concerns such as climate change.
You may or may not see these character traits in the young people of today, the Gen Z’ers. They are after all, generalisations that apply to a large group. Individuals will possibly exhibit all, some or none of them. I can say, however that I witness these character traits in the group of Generation Z men that are our students, often all, now and then, some, rarely none.
On Sunday we open our doors to prospective members of the Eddies Team, parents and their sons who wish to see what is so special about our place here at the top of Mary Street. In the lead up to Open Day there have been Facebook ads and billboards but the best reflection of who we are is the group of young men who wear our uniform each day.
The group that we have given the label Gen Z, the people born after 1997 will exhibit certain characteristics, tolerance and high-tech skills, pragmatism and shrewdness, a progressive mindset. But, as we do so often, we take the little box that is Gen Z and divide further, GenZ Eddies man. How do we make the division? What characteristics do we use? Kind, strong, gentle, respectful, reflective, resilient; these are the character traits that we, the Eddies Team hope to instil in our Gen Z’ers. These traits will help our young men to make sense of the world and make a difference in it. They are the identifying characteristics of a very very special category, the category we call, Eddies Men.
I look forward to seeing Eddies families, past, present and future at the College Open Day this Sunday, 25 May.
