Generation Z: the heroes of our time?

The underestimated generation: heroes in the making?

Lazy. Entitled. Addicted to screens. These are some labels often attached to Generation Z. But what if history tells a different story? What if they are, in fact, the heroes of our time?

According to sociologists William Strauss and Neil Howe, history moves in cycles, like the changing seasons. Each crisis brings forth a generation destined to rebuild society. That generation today might just be Gen Z.

The rhythms of history: a cycle of seasons

History unfolds in cycles, lasting about 80–100 years—what Strauss and Howe call saecula. These cycles move through four distinct phases akin to the seasons:

• Spring (High): A period of rebuilding and strong institutions (e.g., the post-World War II boom in the 1950s).
• Summer (Awakening): A time of cultural and ideological revolutions (e.g., the counterculture movements of the 1960s–70s).
• Autumn (Unraveling): Institutions weaken, individualism rises, and conflicts brew (e.g., the economic and political fragmentation of the 1980s–90s).
• Winter (Crisis): A time of upheaval, where old structures collapse, and society must be rebuilt (e.g., the Great Depression, World War II, and today’s crises).

We are deep in Winter—a period of chaos marked by wars, climate change, economic instability, and political unrest. Yet, just as every Winter eventually gives way to Spring, this crisis, too, will pass. Sociologists estimate that the current turmoil may resolve between 2030 and 2034, ushering in a new era of growth. Just as the Greatest Generation rebuilt the world after World War II, Gen Z is now stepping into the role of future architects.

The last crisis: lessons from history

To understand Generation Z’s potential, we must examine World War II’s last great crisis and its aftermath. The children of that era—often called the Greatest Generation—were born into hardship. They survived the Great Depression, fought in World War II, and then laid the foundation for the economic boom of the 1950s, shaping the modern world.

Similarly, Gen Z is coming of age in a world of uncertainty. Born between 1997 and 2012, they have witnessed a global pandemic, financial instability, environmental disasters, and social unrest. Like the wartime generation before them, they, too, are called to envision and construct a new future.

Generation Z: the heroes of today

In times of crisis, a new Hero generation often emerges. For Gen Z, this means stepping up in unexpected ways:

• Climate activism: At just 15, Greta Thunberg sparked a global movement for climate action by challenging world leaders on environmental negligence.
• Innovative solutions: Boyan Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup at 18, pioneering efforts to remove plastic from oceans.
• Digital activism: Countless Gen Z activists use social media to raise awareness, organize protests, and challenge outdated systems.

Gen Z proves that heroism today isn’t about wielding power but purpose, perseverance, and proactive change.

The road ahead: challenges and triumphs

Gen Z faces immense challenges despite their potential: navigating misinformation, economic uncertainty, and rapid technological shifts. The job market is evolving, and the fight against climate change is more pressing than ever. Yet, if history teaches us anything, Hero generations rise to meet the challenges of their time.

As we move towards 2030, we may witness the dawn of a new Spring. The choices Gen Z makes today will shape the future for decades. The real question is not whether they will rise to the challenge but how they will redefine heroism in the 21st century.