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I basically live in both Bristol and London these days, bouncing between either on a monthly basis thanks to the expensive miracle of modern trains. It’s not exactly how I saw myself existing at nearly thirty, but it’s a typical reality for many younger millennials and Gen Zers.
When I was in primary school, most of my class mates would probably have given you the same basic prediction for their adult lives, myself included. We’d likely mention secondary school, university, a job, a house, marriage and children, with an expectation that most of those things would at least be covered by the age of thirty.
Some of my friends have managed to largely stick to these life plans. Our editor Jamie is one such example. Despite all the economic uncertainty and competitive job markets, there are a few who’ve done exceptionally well for themselves and kept on the straight and narrow. I salute them with admiration.
For plenty of Gen Zers and younger millennials, however, the idealism of our capitalist fantasies has largely been upended or, at the very least, delayed indefinitely.
Most first-time property buyers now require the help of their parents, with university students owing tens of thousands before they’ve even got a proper job. Those ambitions that our Gen X parents were able to achieve independently seem much more like a pipe dream if you’re under the age of 35.
This distance between what we want and what we can actually do are causing many younger people to give up on a conventional life path altogether.
With a worsening climate crisis and a sense that we’re living in a late-stage capitalist dystopia, why should we be expected to have children and contribute to overpopulation in a world clearly lacking in adequate resources? If it’s impossible to buy a house without the help of parents, why shouldn’t we use our savings for experiences while we’re young and able? If you can’t afford a wedding, why get married at all?
I’ve spoken to quite a few friends my age that feel this way, at least in part. There is a growing disillusionment toward the expected milestones of your twenties and thirties. 25% of Gen Z said they won’t have children for financial reasons last year alone, for example. It’s such a growing issue that experts are worried that the US population won’t be sustainable long-term.
As a single 29-year-old, I absolutely fall into this camp of ageing, borderline-Gen Zers who don’t feel particularly compelled to navigate life in the way most generations before them have. I value my independence immensely, and still enjoy having an intense, active social life across both Bristol and London. I travel back and forth roughly once a month, seeing friends and visiting the Thred office wherever possible.
After losing my previous job in early January I returned to work as a freelance writer for Thred full time.
This wasn’t necessarily intentional, but it has been an interesting experience and opened my eyes to the benefits that come with gig economy work. This new approach of being your own boss and managing your hours is especially popular with young people, and reflects the values that are championed by a generation that wants to look out for themselves as much as they can.
If you’re reading this, it means you made it through the start of another week, so congratulations! To celebrate, we’re serving up another weekly newsletter… I know, I know - it’s just what you needed.
In this edition, we’ll explore a wide range of topics, from the rise of (scammy?) small plate restaurants to Gen Z’s baffling approach...
Ahead we have some excellent news for women’s health, an exploration of the history of male friendships, a deep dive into how avoidant texting habits are shaping our ability to deal with conflict, never-before-seen photographs of newly...
