The stereotype of young people being “lazy,” “entitled,” or “snowflakes” is widely circulated, but is it really accurate? Millennials and Gen Z are often criticized for their spending habits, particularly on luxuries like coffee and avocado toast, yet the economic realities they face tell a different story.
The Viral Reddit Post Challenging the Narrative
One Gen Xer recently took to Reddit to challenge the perception of young people as lazy. In a viral post shared by user u/FukU6050, they argued that Gen Z and millennials aren’t unmotivated—they’re hopeless. This perspective quickly gained traction, sparking discussions about the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, and the housing market crisis.
The Redditor shared their personal experience: as a single mother working two jobs, she could once afford a two-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood and even manage occasional vacations. Today, however, her 30-year-old son struggles to afford basic necessities despite working full-time. He lives with three roommates just to keep up with skyrocketing rent prices and inflation-driven expenses.
“So no, young people aren’t lazy…they just don’t see any point in working 40+ hours a week with no reward for doing so,” she wrote.
Economic Realities for Millennials and Gen Z
Many financial experts and sociologists agree with this sentiment. Dr. Kent Bausman, a sociology professor at Maryville University, told Newsweek that it’s “not hard to understand their hopelessness” given the economic barriers young people face.
Housing Market Crisis
- The National Association of Realtors reported that first-time homebuyers hit a historic low in 2024, with the average first-time buyer now being 38 years old.
- Home prices continue to skyrocket, making it increasingly difficult for young adults to save enough for a down payment.
- Senior Vice President Bob Driscoll of Rockland Trust stated that it’s the most challenging time in history to buy a home, with houses often selling above asking price, pushing young buyers further out of the market.
Cost of Living Crisis
- The American Psychological Association’s 2023 survey found that adults aged 18-34 report significantly higher stress levels than older generations, averaging 6 out of 10 compared to 3.4 out of 10 for those aged 65+.
- Millennials and Gen Z face stagnant wages despite the rising cost of essentials like healthcare, rent, and education.
- Over 48 million young adults are renters, with little room to save for a home due to high rental costs.
Job Market and Economic Shifts
- Many young people job-hop to increase their salaries, as loyalty to a single employer often doesn’t yield financial security.
- Automation and outsourcing have made traditional career paths less stable, further fueling economic uncertainty.
- Climate change concerns and political instability contribute to a widespread feeling of hopelessness among Gen Z.
Social Media Reactions: Frustration and Disillusionment
The viral Reddit post has amassed over 13,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments, with users sharing their own struggles.
One Redditor commented: “The math to afford living in this society doesn’t add up anymore. Do the minimum, jump jobs to increase your paycheck, take all your allotted time off. It’s not worth going above and beyond anymore.”
Another wrote: “If I work 40 hours a week, I still can’t afford a house or car. So I might as well only work 30.”
A third user added: “This is absolutely the story of modern America. And it’s a nation-killer.”
The Harsh Reality: The American Dream is Fading
Experts agree that the struggles of millennials and Gen Z aren’t due to laziness, but rather systemic economic shifts. Dr. Bausman explains that older generations grew up with the belief that “hard work, education, and a steady career would lead to homeownership and financial stability.” However, those economic conditions no longer exist.
As inflation rises, housing prices soar, and wages stagnate, younger generations are left navigating a very different financial landscape from their predecessors. The American Dream of homeownership and long-term stability is slipping further out of reach for many young people.
The next time someone calls Gen Z or millennials lazy, it might be worth looking at the bigger economic picture. The reality is that they’re not lazy—they’re exhausted, overworked, and disillusioned with an economy that offers fewer opportunities than the generations before them. Until major economic and policy changes address these issues, the frustration and hopelessness expressed by young people will only continue to grow.
