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Gen Zers may be surprised to know that baby boomers were the first modern teenagers. They had more leisure time and money than previous generations, and they spent it on music and clothes, gizmos and gadgets – just like teenagers do today”

“Gen Z are the first generation to have grown up with the Internet and are often called ‘digital natives’ because of this. In fact, most aspects of their lives have been shaped by technology, not least of which is popular culture”

“There is one looming health issue that could significantly affect Gen Z in the near future: deteriorating eyesight, particularly a high risk of developing myopia (shortsightedness)”

Facts/stat
1 in 3 Gen Z employees say they have experienced a mental health problem
(Fruitful Insights/Legal & General, 2023)

In 2022, there were around 13.76 million baby boomers in the UK
(Statista, 2024)

Around 15% of the UK population is part of the Gen Z cohort
(Mintel, 2024)

Plenty of generalisations are made about different generations, the cohorts of people born roughly within a 20-year period. Although different countries have assigned slightly different time periods for each generation, the labels given to them by marketeers and social researchers are universal.

The media tends to hype up a number of stereotypes in each generation, for example, that baby boomers are rich and not tech-savvy, and that Gen Z worry a lot and are glued to their screens. There may (or may not) be an element of truth to these claims. But all generations are made up of individuals who do not always share the same characteristics. So what can be said about Gen Z and baby boomers, and who are they?

Baby boomers are so called because they were born in the post-war baby boom of the mid-twentieth century. In the UK, baby boomers usually span from 1946, the year after the Second World War ended, to 1964, when Beatlemania went global and the Swinging Sixties began. This means that, in 2024, the youngest baby boomers are 60 while the oldest are 78.

Generation Z (Gen Z) have this name because they follow on from Generation Y (Millennials) which in turn came after Generation X. Gen Z spans from when girl power was at its height in 1997 to the optimism and buzz of London 2012. The youngest people in Gen Z are therefore 12 in 2024, while the oldest turn 27. Gen Z are often the grandchildren, or sometimes children, of baby boomers.

Culture and fashion

Gen Zers may be surprised to know that baby boomers were the first modern teenagers. They had more leisure time and money than previous generations, and they spent it on music and clothes, gizmos and gadgets – just like teenagers do today. This new youth culture was a reaction against the staid traditions of their parents and it brought about huge cultural change. Theirs was the era of cinema, records and radio, transitioning to television and rock ‘n’ roll with Elvis, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Sure, there were some questionable style choices (1950s winklepicker shoes and 1970s super-wide lapels, anyone?). But equally, there were plenty that are still in fashion today. Think mini-skirts, flared jeans, the shift and maxi dresses. From the Cold War and the Swinging Sixties through to the hippie movement and women’s liberation, baby boomers witnessed a huge change in society.

Gen Z are the first generation to have grown up with the Internet and are often called ‘digital natives’ because of this. In fact, most aspects of their lives have been shaped by technology, not least of which is popular culture.

Some Gen Z fashions from the late 1990s to the early 2010s can also be seen as cringeworthy, with skinny jeans, baggy trousers, crop tops, polo shirts, hot pants and baseball jackets all being popular. Their style choices were influenced by pop stars in music videos, TV programmes, films and the new social media platforms from the late 2000s. This was the era of boy bands like Take That, The Backstreet Boys and Westlife; girl groups with the Spice Girls, Girls Aloud and Destiny’s Child; as well as rock groups such as Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, The Strokes and Coldplay.

Gen Z are said to be the most socially and environmentally-conscious generation, and they value inclusivity in society and social responsibility. They care about these issues and are interested in activism, wanting to get involved to do something to help and make a difference. Sound familiar? The baby boomers were the original caring generation, bringing about social and political change in their youth. So it seems they have more in common than first thought!

Health across the generations

Gen Z are more likely to be physically fitter and healthier than the older generation of baby boomers, and are generally more health-conscious with regard to diet and exercise. Being tech-savvy, they harness digital technology, such as smartwatches, to increase or maintain their fitness levels. They are also keen users of apps that help with their nutrition, monitor their exercise, and improve their sleep.

One of Gen Z’s main goals is to achieve a good work-life balance in body and mind. They are acutely aware of their mental health and how they are feeling at any given time; they are also willing to discuss these issues with employers, friends and family.

Baby boomers are less likely to talk about their mental health than Gen Z, particularly not at work, nor are they able to identify symptoms of depression or anxiety as easily as Gen Z.

Although baby boomers are now an aging generation, that doesn’t mean they will experience an inevitable decline in health. In 2016, a report estimated that almost half (45%) of diseases suffered by this age group were attributable to lifestyle choices, such as a poor diet, smoking and being overweight.

If you’re a baby boomer, it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes to improve your health and wellbeing. This could include eating more healthily, being more active more of the time, losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight afterwards, drinking less alcohol, or quitting smoking for good.

Small changes are sometimes all that’s necessary to break bad habits and start good ones. If you would like support to lose weight, quit smoking or curb your drinking, your local, friendly pharmacy has lots of tools and advice to help you stay on track.

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Gen Z and shortsightedness

There is one looming health issue that could significantly affect Gen Z in the near future: deteriorating eyesight, particularly a high risk of developing myopia (shortsightedness). This is caused by long periods of time spent looking at screens, either on smartphones or tablets, or on laptops and computers at work. This inevitably leads to eyestrain, tired eyes and frequent headaches.

However, these are minor issues when compared with another eyesight problem caused by the sheer amount of near work young people are doing, where they are looking at screens just inches away from their faces. Their eyes blink less and dry out, causing them to overcompensate when focusing, resulting in momentary blurred vision.

Even more seriously, new research has shown that children and teenagers who spend lots of time indoors looking at screens and very little time outdoors in natural sunlight are more likely to develop myopia, or to see a progression in their condition. This is because being outside triggers the release of retinal dopamine, which is an inhibitor of myopia.

Those with severe myopia are at a higher risk of developing serious eye conditions later in life, such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal detachment. This issue doesn’t just affect Gen Z; it will also have profound consequences for Generation Alpha, the generation of children that follows.

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