It’s been researched: 5 reasons why Gen Z drinks much less than the generations before them
That Gen Z drinks less than Millennials and all the generations before them, that is a fact. But why? For a long time, this remained a mystery to researchers. Now, more and more answers are emerging, both from Gen Zers and from previous generations. These are 5 reasons why the TikTok generation doesn’t drink nearly as much as their older predecessors.
We still don’t have complete consensus on exactly what Gen Z is. Some say it refers to people born between 1995 and 2010, while others start at 1996, and we’ve even read that Gen Z only begins in the year 2000. Turning 30 this year? Then I think you just fall outside the Gen Z boat. You’re a Millennial. The generations above them include Gen X and Boomers. Generations that are therefore much more likely to open a beer or knock back a glass of wine. Why is that? Society (@society) asked its followers, and several different responses came in.
1. It’s ridiculously expensive
From a simple beer on a terrace to a bottle of liquor at the liquor store; alcohol is expensive. And for many Gen Zers, it’s simply not (always) affordable. The days when you could get a small beer during Happy Hour for 80 cents are long gone. ”Because they f*cking can’t afford it. If a couple of beers after work costs a quarter of what you earned that day, it’s a lot less fun,” someone writes in the comments on Society’s post. Sad.
2. They prefer… other substances
”Yup, cause they do drugs”, ”And smoking weed like never before”, ”Cause they do vape”… Well, Gen Zers are getting quite a lot thrown at them by what seem to be Millennials and Boomers. The comments are full of references to drugs. As in: Gen Zers would rather indulge in those than have a glass of wine or a Long Island Ice Tea. Do they admit it themselves too? Hmm… That remains a little unclear. Gen Z readers: speak up! Is this really true?
3. The hangover comes later, and that’s scary
Gen Zers suffer from hangxiety. In other words, anxiety about the (Limoncello) hangover. A night of drinking is fun, but the next day you pay the price big time. Sick, weak and nauseous, mental issues, no energy for anything… No, that’s not what Gen Zers are waiting for. Funny: I recognize myself in that. I’m not quite a Gen Zer (born in 1994), but I also worry in advance about the possible hangover the next day. Wasteful or smart? I still haven’t quite decided. In any case, it’s advisable to stop drinking Salmari after turning thirty…
4. Gen Z wants to live happy & healthy
Gen Z is the generation more focused than ever on living healthily. Exercising, walking, getting outdoors, eating enough fruit and vegetables, drinking chia seeds, cooking vegetarian or vegan… It’s an ongoing trend that you also see on social media. A glass of alcohol simply doesn’t fit in with that. You practically score more likes when you share your happy & healthy lifestyle with the world than when you post a photo of yourself and your friends on a terrace.
5. Everything for the perfect picture
The next reason follows seamlessly from that: Gen Z worries about its image. The social media generation shares everything online. And imagine going viral with your drunken face! No, that would be a complete disaster, an absolute nightmare from which the Gen Zer would never wake up. Oh, how much embarrassment this attitude would have saved us Millennials from in the past…
Read also:
