Meeting the expectations of younger generations can be challenging, especially with Gen Z, who strongly reject anything they consider unfair or outdated. This is more pronounced than ever, and here are 18 modern trends that today’s youth are increasingly opting out of entirely.
Traditional Banking
In the past, traditional banking was essential to secure your funds, but digital banking and fintech solutions have changed this forever, revolutionizing how young people manage their finances. Traditional banking, with its physical branches and paperwork, seems cumbersome and outdated, leading the youth to prefer the ease and speed of managing money through apps and online platforms.
Car Ownership
Urban living, environmental concerns, and the rise of ride-sharing services have diminished the appeal of owning a car for young people. Many of them consider it to be much more practical and economical to use public transportation or services like Uber and Lyft. They also appreciate the reduced environmental impact of not owning a personal vehicle.
Golf
While it’s still immensely popular amongst older generations, young people just don’t understand the appeal of golf. It’s been declining in popularity among younger demographics for years, partially due to it being time-consuming, expensive, and, in their eyes, boring. Instead, they enjoy activities that are more stimulating, such as soccer, basketball, and even eSports.
Cable TV Subscriptions
Back in the day, everyone used cable TV subscriptions to get their entertainment, but streaming services have completely taken over. As Psychology Today points out, even streaming services are becoming old-fashioned, with TikTok and YouTube appealing to the youth more thanks to their variety of short-form content. Naturally, this leads kids to find traditional cable restrictive and expensive, so they’re just not interested.
Formal Work Attire
Many young professionals feel that formal work attire, which was once a social norm, is now outdated. They prioritize comfort and individuality, and the shift towards remote work and more casual office environments has only reinforced this trend. They see traditional suits and ties as unnecessary and refuse to wear them, much preferring clothing that reflects their personal style.
Homeownership
The high real estate prices and financial instability that young people face today make homeownership far less appealing to them. Sure, they might like to own their home, but they see it as impossible, opting for renting instead. They also value the flexibility that renting offers, as they’re much more interested in experiences and travel rather than committing to a long-term mortgage and settling down.
Fast Food Chains
Young people are much more health-conscious than millennials and boomers, and as a result, they’re not interested in traditional fast-food chains. They still eat out, but they choose healthier, more sustainable food options and are more likely to support local, family-run eateries rather than large chains.
Traditional Office Jobs
The security of working a traditional 9-to-5 was all the rage up until recently. Nowadays, younger generations seek flexibility, work-life balance, and meaningful work, which was partially realized during the ‘working from home’ work boom of the pandemic. Freelancing, remote work, and entrepreneurial ventures are now much more appealing to them, allowing them to pursue their passions and maintain control over their schedules.
Shopping Malls
Online shopping has revolutionized retail, making shopping malls less attractive to the youth. The convenience of shopping from home, combined with having a wider selection and often better prices, makes e-commerce a better option in the eyes of young people. Sadly, this is leading physical stores to struggle to compete.
Landlines
Due to the rise of smartphones, landline phones have become obsolete for most people, and a lot of Generation Z have never even used one. They rely solely on mobile devices for communication, including through regular phone calls, instant messaging, and video calls. Ultimately, it’s easy to understand why young people refuse to embrace the archaic features of landline telephones.
Traditional Advertising
The old-school marketing methods of traditional advertisements, such as on TV, radio, or newspapers, fail to capture the attention of younger audiences today. They are more influenced by digital marketing, social media influencers, and personalized content. As a result, brands are having to adapt their strategies to engage young people effectively through online platforms.
Formal Dining Etiquette
While boomers and millennials still consider it to be polite, the kids today don’t care about formal dining etiquette. It seems outdated to them, and they enjoy casual, relaxed dining experiences much more. This is partially due to them valuing authenticity and comfort over rigid rules and formality.
Printed Newspapers
Sadly, it won’t be long until printed newspapers disappear completely. They’re basically obsolete for younger generations, with only a handful of older people still clinging to them. Gen Z, millennials, and even most boomers prefer getting their news online, which is updated in real-time and easily accessible.
Department Stores
Once a shopping staple on our high streets, department stores are losing relevance. Young consumers refuse to embrace them, factoring specialty stores and online shopping for their specific needs. The convenience, variety, and often better prices of e-commerce also make it a preferred choice, challenging the traditional department store model.
Loyalty Cards
While young people still love bargains, they’re not interested in the trend of loyalty cards. They prefer the simplicity and immediacy of digital rewards and cashback offers, which are provided by many mobile apps these days. These apps track and apply rewards automatically, which feels much more convenient and modern to tech-savvy youths.
Traditional Marriage
Nobody could have anticipated how traditional marriage would evolve, but here we are. A huge chunk of young people refuse to embrace the tradition, seeing it as old-fashioned. This is partially because they value non-traditional relationships, which are often not accepted by wedding venues and churches.
Large Homes
Partially due to the housing crisis, smaller living spaces, like tiny homes and apartments, are more enticing to young people. They also value the minimalism and practicality of these spaces, finding large homes unnecessary and difficult to maintain. Their desire for mobility and financial flexibility also contributes to the preference for more compact living arrangements.
Physical Currency
Digital wallets and contactless payments are phasing out the use of physical currency, especially among young people. They love the convenience and security of digital transactions, with many of them barely using cash throughout their life. To them, cash feels outdated, dirty, and less practical, whereas digital payment methods are fast, efficient, and widely accepted.