Many have taken to declaring how they don't have dream jobs since they "don't dream of labor." This buzzy phrase, popularized on social media in the pandemic, rejects work as a basis for identity, framing it instead as an act to pursue out of financial necessity. To quote the billionaire Kim Kardashian, it does seem like nobody wants to work these... See more

Young people understand that they have to labor for their livelihoods, but many, like Phillips and Dakota, believe the existing system has set them up to fail. Bleak economic circumstances --- exacerbated by crushing student loan debt, growing wealth inequality, and wage stagnation --- have soured their perceptions of capitalism. As a result, the... See more

Many zoomers entered the workforce during the pandemic-affected economy. Naturally, this has major consequences for social attitudes about work --- and the viability of performing labor in times of crisis.

"It's not about people not working," she said. "It's about not settling for a job that diminishes their quality of life. I'm lucky to have realized that early on."

Most of us won't ever stop working, although it is healthy to detach from an employer-oriented identity.

Over the past two years, young millennials and members of Gen Z have created an abundance of memes and pithy commentary about their generational disillusionment toward work. The jokes, which correspond with the rise of anti-work ideology online, range from shallow and shameless ("Rich housewife is the goal") to candid and pessimistic.

American workers across various ages, industries, and income brackets have experienced heightened levels of fatigue, burnout, and general dissatisfaction toward their jobs since the pandemic's start. The difference is, more young people are airing these indignations and jaded attitudes on the internet, often to viral acclaim.

What sets zoomers apart, according to common narratives, is their determination to be fulfilled and defined by other aspects of life. They expect employers to recognize that and promote policies and benefits that encourage work-life balance.

"It's not necessarily that different generations hold different attitudes about work," Damaske argued. "For millennials and for some members of Gen Z, they've witnessed two recessions, back-to-back. This is a very different labor market experience than what their parents and grandparents encountered."