Dr Suravi Sharma Kumar
WITH THE WORLD at their fingertips, the average Gen Z explores the alleys of a world that appear different from the one so many of us knew. This is the generation that grew up eating their porridge with their eyes fixed on a screen. They speak a new lingo, communicate through unique memes, and rely on emojis and GIFs for everyday conversation.
Corporate employers often view Gen Z as an entitled group who lack agility and urgency, are absorbed in social media—leading to poor personal communication skills—and are oversensitive or “too easily offended”. Similarly, their parents’ generation (mostly Gen X) often sees them as the cohort that can’t read cursive handwriting, doesn’t know how to write a cheque, can’t navigate a paper map, and is helpless without GPS.
Unlike earlier generations, they never witnessed stark poverty on the streets, or on television. They didn’t grow up seeing barefoot children near thatched mud houses, or workers in torn vests toiling under the sun in paddy fields or construction sites. But what they did witness was even worse: the Covid-19 pandemic. They spent many months indoors, cut off from sports and friends. The isolation strained their mental health deeply. Many sought psychiatric help during that period—and the mental health crisis still lingers today.
While Gen Z make up only about 15 per cent of the population in developed nations, they account for 40-50 per cent in the Indian subcontinent. Their short attention span, blunt directness and demand for clarity will shape the future. The sooner political aspirants and marketing honchos realise this, the better prepared they will be to engage with them.
Gen Z is the first generation in the subcontinent to openly speak about stress, depression, anxiety and emotional boundaries. They admire podcasters who cater to their curiosity with crisp, consumable content—unlike mainstream media. No surprise, then, that viral content on YouTube and Instagram is dominated by themes that resonate with them: spirituality, mental wellbeing, the animal world, and alien life.
The older members of Gen Z, meanwhile, have been building their lives on digital foundations, powered by cheap data and smartphones. Even in a harsh job market, they prioritise mental health over academic or workplace stress. They are consciously breaking a cycle of generational trauma built around proving one’s worth to parents and society.
Their embrace of the gig economy is equally striking. They are comfortable building a portfolio career—one main job accompanied by side hustles—to ensure financial resilience in an economy where job security is no longer guaranteed.
Illustration: Vinayathejaswi
A defining trait of this generation is their hunger for authenticity. In an age of political sloganeering and corporate platitudes, their “bullshit detectors” are sharp. They take greenwashing and nepotism personally and seriously.
They are not dazzled by star endorsements or big global brands. They believe in minimalism. And they are more likely to trust a local manufacturer or creator who shares genuine user reviews than multinational brands.
Their social and political consciousness stands out. Raised in an era of extreme political polarisation, they demand accountability from those holding power, especially when authority turns abusive.
Across Nepal and Bangladesh, the world has seen how effectively Gen Z can use social media to organise protests, mobilising crowds, and amplifying silenced voices. A gaming app like Discord being used in Nepal to choose a leader shows how deeply technology has permeated this generation. It enables them to strategise in real time, without the need for a traditional leader.
In Bangladesh, Gen Z played a decisive role in recent political upheavals. What began as student grievance over quota system escalated into a national uprising, powered by social media counter-narratives, videos exposing police brutality, and calls for solidarity far beyond campuses.
After Sri Lanka’s severe post-pandemic economic crisis, Gen Z there has turned to social commerce with renewed vigour. The political turmoil—most visibly the one in 2022—shaped their worldview. They seek financial security, are distrustful of political mismanagement, and increasingly see migration as a path to stability and opportunity.
Illustration: Vinayathejaswi
In India, Gen Z is often described as liberal yet pragmatic, ambitious yet rooted in family. Unlike their western counterparts, they still value close-knit families and eating meals at home. They are gently challenging traditional expectations around careers, lifestyle, and marriage—shifting from duty-driven choices to fulfilment-driven ones.
The Indian film industry is also reflecting this shift. Gen Z prefer character-driven, original storytelling to superstar spectacles. They reward strong narratives and grounded performances over star power. There is a growing appetite for low- or mid-budget, content-driven films, crisp social commentary, or grounded human emotions. There is an increased interest in regional cinema.
With an inherent eco-anxiety, Gen Z is conscious of the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry. This has fuelled a massive shift towards conscious, ethical consumption and a booming second-hand market to downplay fast fashion. Thrifting and pre-owned clothing are not signs of frugality but badges of conscious living. Unlike their parents, they are unlikely to save up for a luxury leather bag; they prefer brands known for its eco-friendliness, craftsmanship, and ethical practices that ensure no animal cruelty.
Gen Z is a paradoxical and powerful force. They are not rebels without a cause but strategists with a purpose. They are using their hyper-connectivity to build, to organise, and to challenge the foundations of societies in the subcontinent. We must recognise that their seemingly unconventional behaviour is a rational response to the world they have been given. They are shaping the future of the subcontinent in their unique way, and there is much we can learn from them.
The writer is a pathologist and an author.