Gen Z and the concerning growth of individualism

 The phrase "now or never" is often overused hyperbole. Yet it does at least feel like we are reaching a tipping point in society, and one that is fracturing a growing chasm between younger generations. With the digital revolution empowering people to control their own consumption and interaction with the world, Gen Z are choosing individualism over unity. 

Online safety has dominated the headlines recently, with Stephen Graham's gripping Netflix drama Adolescence charting the pervasive dangers of the 'manosphere', the Andrew Tate-like content that young men and teenage boys are increasingly turning towards. These influencers are weaponising culture wars, stoking division in young people through gender lines. 

Adolescence (Netflix)

It is no surprise then, that recent data from Ipsos UK and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London highlights that Gen Z men and women are the most divided generation when it comes to the subject of gender equality. A whopping 60% of Gen Z men believe that men are being expected to do too much to support equality, while 57% think that society has gone so far in striving for women's equality that we are now discriminating against men. This concerning data is a growing phenomenon, and one that has also been evident in electoral voting patterns. 

Not only are these influencers driving misogyny amongst young men, they are instilling an attitude of distrust within them. As the woke liberal ideology advances feminism and racial equality, neglecting their needs, you must do things your own way, they tell young men. Forget the system, because it won't support you, but focus on things in your control, like developing a routine and finding ways of making your own money. 

In isolation, some of this isn't bad advice. Social media has caused Gen Z (myself included) to lose our way, with time spent on meaningless online scrolling and searching for the next dopamine rush. But the individualist mentality it cultivates is a dangerous one for society. 

Nearly one-third of young adults are getting financial education from social media influencers. This is dangerous because of the skew of people we find talking about these topics online. Influencers are by-and-large entrepreneurs, often those who have created innovative products or businesses. Their view often aligns with a common capitalist mentality of "if I can do this, anyone can". The overwhelming proportion of people who attempt and fail to become entrepreneurs are not there to spread the counter point, presumably because of time and financial constraints associated with developing and growing a social media profile.  

As this mentality becomes more pervasive, young people in Britain are part of a population that increasingly distrusts its government, due to a combination of broken public services, lies and unkept promises. There has always been some opposition for lower taxation, but it was front and centre of the 2024 election - traditionally left Labour pledging not to increase taxes, despite the UK's dire financial state.

Declining trust in public funding is a rejection of collectivism. Much of that stems from government programmes' damaging impacts on working people - austerity after the 2008 economic crisis put many people in poverty, and inadequate responses to the COVID-19 pandemic crippled public services so much that we are unsatisfied with their output.

To put it simply: as a society we increasingly do not want to pool our money together. That is our tipping point.

A "hustle" culture stemming from Tate and his bros has infected young people's opinion. It is seen as impressive to work longer hours, to have more views, to make more money than others. I recently watched a 14 year old boy on Instagram telling his audience that he is ahead of the game, because he is trying to make money online while his peers are partying. It may be for social media engagement, but it is not the message we need to be spreading.

This is not to say that there is no place for entrepreneurship or individual thinking, of course there is. However, we have forgotten the value of public services and the strength of community. 

How have we made such technological advances, such healthcare innovations, such economic developments as a society in the last century? Through the minds of thousands if not millions of people, whose power and collaboration can substantially dwarf even the greatest single individuals. The UK's proudest creation, the NHS, is the shining example of how bringing a network of people together we can help our lives and the lives of those around us. 

Is it a surprise that we are so divided along gender, race and regional paths? Again fuelled by social media and the ability to choose so specifically what content we engage with, young people are falling into echo chambers, creating polarised discussions about the future and making it nigh-on impossible for meaningful progress.

There are solutions, but they rely on communication and collaboration in society. Just taking control as individuals to overtake others won't do it.