HARDWICK — Born in 2001, I believe that I and other early 2000s babies were granted a somewhat unique perspective, because it was a wholly unique time. We are members of Generation Z, also known as zoomers, the demographic cohort succeeding the Millennials. Our childhoods were shaped by the tech boom, the 2008 recession, the election of the first African-American president and of course, the Iraq war and invasion of Afghanistan.
Prior to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2022, I had not lived in an America in which we are not at war.
Those events shaped our culture, for better or for worse.
As children we stood as unknowing witnesses.
I feel eternally grateful for my mostly tech-free childhood. I and many other Gen-Z children grew up in a transitory period, in which classrooms had just barely begun to introduce SmartBoards and personal laptops to fifth and sixth graders. The idea of every child holding an iPad or tablet would have been a very, very expensive joke. Paper worksheets and physical books were still the tools of the trade in 2010. I believe I was the last class at Burke Town Elementary to learn the basics of cursive writing.
I do, however, remember cell phones getting smaller and sleeker, the introduction of the touch screen and the slow but steady Apple takeover of the market. Of course, through a child’s eyes, these events were seen through a lens of curiosity and fascination. I had little concerns about market monopolization, data protection and privacy as a whole.
Middle school coincided with the rise of personal cell phones and social media. Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat dominated, constantly adding new features and ways to share. In the eyes of a pre-teen, this instant method of connection was innovative, transformative.
And it was, again, for better or for worse: We have access to information quicker and easier than any generation before us. We can speak to each other, see each other in an instant.
Which brings me to my point. Simply, too much has happened, too fast.
A common criticism I’ve heard is that my generation is uncaring or apathetic. I’ve heard the word desensitized used numerous times. As the oldest of us have entered the workforce, the generational divide has become apparent. We care about different things. But consider things from our perspective. We grew up in the age of innovation, yet our future prospects seem worse than ever. Our degrees are less valuable, our dollars are worth even less and no one can find an affordable and suitable place to live.
I got my first job post-graduation, and began researching the steps to open a 401k. A week later, millions of Americans lost years of savings due to the current administration’s economic policy. I put a pause on my plans, because how will I securely save for my retirement like generations have previously? Who knows? Will they raise the retirement age? Who knows?
I completed my Master Promissory Note to begin the process of repaying my student loans, with a plan that factored in my current and future income. Weeks later, the current administration got rid of the $AVE Plan and the protections in place for student borrowers, tanking the credit scores of millions of recent Gen-Z graduates.
It’s hard to pull yourself up by your bootstraps when the literal bootstraps vaporize.
The tools available to everyday Americans in years past are no longer viable options for us. We were raised with the illusion of choice, unlimited access to information and opportunity, just to find out the rules of the game have changed.
We have been effectively priced out of owning property, having children and now with the Department of Education and Social Security under attack, I fear we may be priced out of education and even retirement. What do we have to look forward to?
So perhaps yes, we are desensitized. Because despite growing up in the age of innovation, my generation has continued to be plagued by gun violence, a devastating array of natural disasters, and we’re set to inherit a dying earth. Some of these problems could be solved, but money, money, money, money.
I suppose we’re tuned out because this is not the America we were promised.
We are disappointed, really. We know what our reality is, we cannot escape it, so maybe some of us have decided we don’t care. Much like we desensitized ourselves to regular active shooter drills and mass killings growing up, the national news presents a new daily assault on the conscience that many don’t have the bandwidth for. Perhaps it’s self preservation, I don’t know. I wish I knew what the future held. And of course, I am speaking generally. What I do know, however, is that I am weary of living through historical events. As the newest generation of working Americans begin to build their lives, I hope we can surmount these hurdles as those before us and create a new American dream in our image. The old one has been buried.
Raymonda Parchment, Staff Reporter
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
