Albert Camus once said, “every generation imagines itself to be destined to remake the world. Mine knows, however, that it will not remake it. But its task may be greater: to prevent the world from falling apart”. This reflection resonates strongly when we talk about Generation Z. Born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, this generation grew up in a context of hyperconnectivity, climate crisis, and profound cultural transformations. But will they be able to reverse the decline of institutions and promote significant structural changes?
Studies indicate that Generation Z already represents around 30% of the world’s population and by 2025, will constitute approximately 27% of the global workforce. In Brazil, according to IBGE data, young people aged 10 to 24 already total more than 47 million people, a contingent that will shape the future of the economy and society.
Oftentimes labeled as alienated or narcissistic, Generation Z, contrary to popular belief, is deeply engaged in social issues. According to a Deloitte survey, 77% of young people in this generation say their main goal is to work for companies aligned with their values, prioritizing causes such as sustainability, diversity, and mental well-being. At the same time, 49% say they are willing to leave their jobs if they feel that their mental health is not being taken seriously by the employer.
This behavior reflects a growing distrust towards traditional institutions. The Edelman Trust Barometer 2023 points out that only 37% of Generation Z youth fully trust governments and large corporations. However, this same generation is willing to act through conscious consumption and digital activism, turning their beliefs into action.
One of the most striking features of Generation Z is its relationship with technology. They have grown up in a digital world, with unlimited access to information, but also suffer from the impact of this environment on mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that anxiety and depression among young people have increased by 25% since 2019, a phenomenon that many experts attribute to the pressure of social media and the culture of performance.
The South Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han, in “In the Swarm”, describes this reality as a state of continuous surveillance, where individuals become performers of themselves. This overexposure leads to an incessant search for validation, which can result in an existential emptiness. Viktor Frankl, in “Man’s Search for Meaning”, would say that this void is a call for transformation, and it is precisely this restlessness that can become a driving force for change.
If on one hand Generation Z shows emotional fragility, on the other it also carries a potential for resilience and creativity. In a fragmented world, these young people seek alternative forms of expression and participation. The growth of movements such as minimalism, collaborative economy, and digital nomadism are clear examples of how this generation is seeking new models of life, work, and consumption.
It can be said, therefore, that the recurring question “will this generation amount to anything?” is more related to expectations of productivity and conformity than to Generation Z itself. Michel Foucault, in “The Order of Things”, argues that discourses like this perpetuate forms of control, while Generation Z challenges exactly those norms. Perhaps it may not “amount to anything” in the traditional sense, but this could be its greatest strength: questioning and deconstructing obsolete standards.
The real question is not whether Generation Z is ready for the world, but whether the world is ready to understand and absorb its new dynamics. This generation doesn’t just want to adapt; it wants to redefine the rules of the game. Remote work, the pursuit of work-life balance, and a focus on mental well-being are not whims but real demands that are forcing structural changes.
If Generation Z breaks free from old patterns and shows us new paths, its greatest contribution will be to prove that true transformation begins where conformity ends.
(*) César Silva is the President of the Foundation for Technology Support (FAT) and a lecturer at the Faculty of Technology of São Paulo – FATEC-SP for over 30 years. He was the deputy superintendent of Centro Paula Souza. He holds a degree in Business Administration, with specializations in Project Management, Organizational Processes, and Information Systems.
