A recent ST-Milieu survey has found some striking similarities Gen Zs and their parents have, in the way they view their life priorities and challenges.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

In this episode, we’ll revisit the old stereotype that the younger generation has it all too good, that they’ve gone soft and are not resilient enough to withstand hardships or even hard work. 

Young adults on the other hand, often lament that their parents don’t understand them enough. But how true are any of these often-held views? 

A recent survey commissioned by The Straits Times found that Gen Zs, like their parents before them, feel disheartened and frustrated when they cannot find work.

This generational gap is also reflected in the findings of an online survey, conducted by Milieu Insight for ST. 

In October and November 2024, the poll of 800 Gen Zs between ages 16 and 27, and 600 parents of Gen Zs explored the two generations’ views on goals, stress, money, self-esteem and joblessness. The parents were asked to answer based on recollections of their views when they were in their 20s.

But there are slight differences between how they approach work and gain wealth, and we discuss this with a father-son pair in this episode. 

Lawyer Michael Han, 55, is an occasional columnist. He is joined by his son Jazer Han, 22, now an economics undergraduate at the Singapore Management University (SMU). 

Highlights (click/tap above): 

5:22 Mr Han on sacrificing work-life balance for career growth? 

10:35 Mr Han: Not about generational gaps; more like different seasons in life

14:05 Jazer on time outside of 'school and work', extra commitments, fulfilment

16:15 Jazer's view on urgency to complete tasks

26:20 How Jezer got scammed $15,000 from his savings? 

38:29 Is the younger generation really 'strawberry' or 'snowflake'? 

Read ST’s article on how Gen Zs and their parents approach work and life differently: https://str.sg/FCkq

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

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