Okay, zoomer: the snowflake generation hates work.
Pumpkin latte on lactose-free milk, panic attacks, addiction to gadgets and fear of bosses - these are the strokes to the portrait of average Zoomers. However, psychologists are sure that the representatives of this generation are not such snowflakes, as they are contemptuously called Olds, but real revolutionaries, thanks to whom the world is developing and moving forward. What zoomers are most afraid of at work, how to find a common language with representatives of this generation and whether they can grow up - in the material "Izvestia".
Snowflakes
Psychologist Anna Guseva notes that Generation Z (zoomers, homebodies), born from 2001 to 2010, is indeed sometimes called snowflakes.
- These young people are less resilient and more prone to resentment than previous generations. They are vulnerable to criticism, although many of them have internal self-criticism," Anna Guseva argues.
The psychologist believes that vulnerability, sensitivity and receptivity are not a disadvantage, but an advantage of the Zetas. Thanks to such qualities, children determine their life goals in their own time, not when it is necessary for parents, school or the state as a whole. The only difficult stage is the child's emotional separation from parents.
- Zoomer is withdrawn, he is immersed in his own world and in the world of the Internet, but this is in a way a plus. Because in this way he learns to recognize his own feelings and desires, to find himself, to become a separate personality, - comments Anna Guseva.
Evgenia Morozova, a clinical psychologist at Dr. Isayev's Narcological and Psychiatric Clinic, notes that 3D-reality and fast access to the World Wide Web have become for Zoomers an integral part of their everyday life and have significantly influenced the formation of their personality.
- On the one hand, they have the ability to solve any task quickly and remotely. On the other hand - stress resistance is developed where there is personal communication, and a person develops skills being in real life with real people, when it is necessary to withstand tension, looking the opponent in the eyes, giving here and now arguments in favor of their point of view,- says Evgenia Morozova.
The expert notes that a zoomer spends most of his time self-actualization in the Internet space, so any real meeting with other people is very stressful for him.
- For a personality to grow strong and consistent, you need boundaries in the form of rules and restrictions from parents. Teenagers rely on what demands and goals adults set. Of course, it is not necessary to overreact to the rigidity of upbringing, but if in the family before the teenager do not set tasks in some form of requirements, there will be no zone of development, - continues Morozova.
The clinical psychologist emphasizes that respect for boundaries is an important aspect in the family, but this respect should not be confused with laziness and resistance to development.
- Prolonged sitting in the Internet space emotionally emasculates people, - continues Evgeniya Morozova. - Internet addiction and dependence on gadgets destroys people in all spheres of life. Sitting at the computer becomes so habitual that other desires and needs disappear: in physical activity, development, self-care.
According to a clinical psychologist, the 3D world draws a person in, taking away any ordinary desires, and gives in return a more colorful and bright, but still illusory world.
Booths and cubicles
Employers are cautious about zoomers, as they fear unnecessary problems. Representatives of this generation do not like responsibility, get discouraged by bosses' shouts and can leave the workplace at any time if they do not like something.
Adapt at work snowflakes hindered, in particular, the fear of visiting the restroom. Zoomers are so afraid of using common facilities that some of them prefer to endure it at home.
From the psychologists' point of view, the fact that the Zoomers are members of the first generation to grow up in diapers may have played a fatal role . As a result, they passed the so-called potty period - a stage of normal physiological development, necessary for children to learn about their bodies and natural needs at a very early age.
There is even a phobia of going to the toilet in a public place or at work, which is expressed by anxiety in this very aspect. However, psychiatrist, psychotherapist Alexei Vilkov connects its cause not with the age of the person, but with the peculiarities of character or stressful experiences about work, especially during the period of adaptation. This happens when there are high loads, problems with management and the desire to do everything perfectly with high requirements of the employer.
Lazy or free artists
But experts do not advise rushing to critical conclusions about zoomers. They have no doubt that by the age of 25 in the representative of this generation can be seen not a vulnerable snowflake, but a mature personality with its own values and life path.
- The main features of the Zoomers are clique thinking and multitasking. They can do many things at the same time. Zoomers are modern, freedom-loving and goal-oriented, they learn about themselves and the world and are ready to create something new," Anna Guseva comments.
According to the psychologist, the most important thing for such people is to pay attention to their personality, and all the tasks set by the employer should be formulated clearly and in detail. Representatives of this generation easily leave their jobs not because they are bad, but because there is no motivation, which means there is no point in spending time on this activity.
- First of all, the world for Zoomers is freedom and the opportunity to develop. This is what gadgets give them. Users now have access to many things: psychology, science, research and scientific works. Zoomers see no point in coming to a lecture if the teacher gives the same thing that is available on the Internet, and sometimes without enthusiasm," says Anna Guseva.
Can zoomers become more toothy? Will they not remain tigers with the hearts of mice? The answers to these questions are ambiguous.
- From a very young age, members of the Zoomer generation appreciate being listened to. These touchy and vulnerable snowflakes know what they want. And the information coming from them stands out for its versatility and innovative ideas," comments Anna Guseva.
The psychologist notes that representatives of this category are freedom-loving artists who are constantly reaching for something new and unfamiliar. They do not need any comfortable conditions, are not tied to brands.
- A lot depends on how zoomers have adapted to life. For example, someone becomes an IT specialist and makes money, precisely on the basis of their personality traits. For example, they don't need to change anything drastically in their lives," comments Evgenia Morozova.
The clinical psychologist emphasizes that there are circumstances when a person is practically "shaken" out of the usual life framework, and then he or she has to acquire new skills in order to defend themselves and survive.
- If a Zumer finds himself in the Far North, where he has to give up the Internet and his usual comfort and get behind the wheel of a dump truck to earn money, then, I think, after a while he will adapt to this way of life," says Evgeniya Morozova.
Still, in Morozova's opinion, the best application for a zoomer is professions related to new technologies, especially since the modern world needs such specialists.
Untarnished generation
The generation (alpha) following the zoomers may be more pragmatic, psychologists believe.
- Every second alpha child has their own gadget at just over a year old. In addition, they are the first generation not to be scolded at all and never beaten with a belt, " comments Anna Guseva.
From the psychologist's point of view, just the alpha generation may have some difficulties among those that the zoomers will eventually overcome. And all because today's children are overprotective: protect them from any scratches, do not let them walk in the yard, give them to closed private schools. Zoomers are not such snowflakes compared to them in this sense. But, nevertheless, alphas are the leaders of today's time and are already working for its development, the expert emphasizes. Their brains are getting used to the constant change of content. They are characterized by "thinking storis" - literally in 15 seconds an idea about a subject is formed.
- They are practical in everything and are able to ask the questions "Why?" and "Why?". Alpha children can calmly and easily answer what they need and what they don't need. They value their time, master perfectly any tools related to adult life, are well-informed about everything," says Guseva.
The psychologist believes that zoomers and alphas are the two generations most related to each other in terms of lifestyle and thinking. What they have in common is their lack of aggression and immersion in virtual reality. But if zoomers are considered revolutionaries because they were the first to break the way into the new world with its gadgets and rapid development of progress, alphas are already considered leaders in this reality.
In addition to alphas, zoomers are close to millennials (generation igrek) - people born from 1984 to 2000.
- This is the generation of social networks, theories of eternal youth, freedom - modern hippies who value emotions and their own comfort, are fixated on self-expression and self-development, and oppose bad habits. Like the Zoomers, they have virtually erased the line between real and virtual life," the psychologist comments.
The complete opposite of the Zoomers is the silent generation (born between 1925 and 1944). Their main features are patience, respect for the law, ability to work, unwillingness to openly express any of their own opinions, trust in doctors and teachers. "Silent" - responsible, hardworking, thrifty, many of them worked at the same place all their lives until retirement, notes Anna Guseva.
What kind of parents will become zoomers
It is too early to say whether the Zoomers themselves will be attractive to their descendants. Many people tend to repeat the life scenario of their moms and dads. But a clinical psychologist notes that often children, assessing their parents, their unsightly appearance and the consequences of some bad habits, want to live "from the opposite".
- It is possible that the Zoomers, with their reduced will, motivation and fears, will have children (although this also requires strength and desire), who in the end will not want to take an example from them. And it is likely that these children will be more oriented to their more fit and fresh grandparents, - says Morozova.
Meanwhile, experts do not advise to strictly divide people into certain categories depending on the year of birth, because sometimes the boundaries between generations are erased. Contrary to stereotypes, not all people born from 2001 to 2010 are only snowflakes and virtual moles. Life shows that even in the generation of Zoomers grow up mature and strong in spirit personalities. Much depends on upbringing.
- Children always take what the family has accumulated," comments Evgeniya Morozova. - And it is good if the family has a healthy psychological atmosphere, good traditions, spiritual and moral principles. The main thing is that the parents themselves have such skills, because it is difficult to instill values in a child that are not present in the family.
It is important when adults respect the child's personal boundaries, but at the same time instill spiritual values, "take" him out of his comfort zone, teach him to go towards the world, knowledge, teach him to take risks and take responsibility, the expert emphasizes. Then a person will become a personality, not a pampered hero of memes and anecdotes.
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