The blame feels easy, but the truth feels messier.

Gen Z is often described as having a weaker work ethic, but the story is more complicated. Parents are frequently blamed, yet economic instability, rising living costs, student debt, and shifting workplace norms have reshaped expectations for young workers. Many entered adulthood during overlapping crises that changed how effort, loyalty, and success are measured. Before assigning fault, it is worth asking whether parenting alone explains these shifts, or if larger systems have quietly rewritten the rules of work.



