Gen Z, also known as iGen or Centennials, is the most diverse generation in U.S. history. It is so diverse that its members often only recognize diversity in its absence because this diversity is such a core part of their experience.
So it was a pretty big shock that our study found that Gen Z is the least likely of all generations to think there is equal opportunity for minorities to succeed at work or business in the U.S.
Only one-third of Gen Z, 33%, believe this equality to exist while 39% of both Gen X and Millennials and half of Boomers agree.
When it comes to women having equal opportunity to succeed in work or business, Gen Z feels more positively, with 43% saying there is equal opportunity. This increased positivity is shared by the other generations as well, with both Gen X (44%) and Millennials (45%) thinking there is more opportunity for women.
Baby Boomers rate the equality of opportunity for women nearly on par with minorities, with 49% saying there is equal opportunity there.
From a broader perspective, less than half of Gen Z thinks there is equal opportunity for women to have success at work or in business and even fewer feel this to be true for minorities.
So what are the implications of this? It seems there are two paths for Gen Z to pursue when it comes to this issue. Inequality can be either tolerated or addressed and it will be fascinating to watch which tactic Gen Z employs.
As a generation very accustomed to diversity, it may be that this state of inequality naturally changes as Gen Z brings its fresh perspective into adulthood and the workforce. It seems highly unlikely that a generation so steeped in diversity will choose to tolerate inequality.
Diversity is natural and expected with Gen Z and as this generation ages and enters the workforce (both as employees and as business owners) they will bring this diversity with them. Minorities and women will increasingly have equal play in business as the attitudes and outlooks of this generation influences businesses, corporations, and communities.
Only time will tell how Gen Z chooses to address the large equality gap it sees for women and minorities when it comes to the opportunity for success in business or at work.
As a generation very accustomed to diversity, it may be that this state of inequality will naturally change as Gen Z brings its different perspective into adulthood and the workforce.
Read all the surprising findings from our national study on iGen and politics here.
