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Vivian - A Book Diva's avatar

It's nice to think that Gen-Z has it together with respect to body positivity, anti-bullying, etc. However, I know of at least three Gen-Z females that have and are still dealing with eating disorders due to body shaming (1 born in 1997 and 2 born in 2007), as well as one that has dealt with bullying from other females.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

Right? I think that attitude--not wanting to acknowledge a truth--is part of the generational mindset, too. I've been advised (lectured, really) by young'uns with this rock solid belief in something that is obviously not true. I suppose every generation is guilty of this behavior, but it seems especially strong in this one. Friends have told bewildering tales of trying to deal with Gen Z in the workplace.

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Danny Alexander's avatar

Yes, this is part of what I was getting at above. My students, the vast majority Gen Z, write about eating disorders and body shaming, particularly the curse of social media, all the time.

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elizabeth broadbent's avatar

Please write about older women. We need to see them in literature like yours.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

Thanks for the vote of confidence. It's been on my mind :-)

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C.O. Davidson’s Gothic Follies's avatar

And I'm excited about your new book--this topic and your experiences shaping it!

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C.O. Davidson’s Gothic Follies's avatar

I appreciate what you have to say about Gen Z since most of the college students I teach are of that generation *and* Gen Alpha (born starting in 2010).

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Alma Katsu's avatar

What would you say is the most challenging thing about interacting with each generation?

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C.O. Davidson’s Gothic Follies's avatar

Due dates not seen as actual deadlines.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

!!!

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C.O. Davidson’s Gothic Follies's avatar

And AI-use.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

!!!!!!!!!

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Lisa Morton's avatar

I look forward to Incarnate!

One of the things I love about Job #2 (bookseller) is that I deal with Gen-Z people all day long, and I'm truthfully kind of envious of them. Compared to boomers, they seem comparatively freed from obsolete notions of gender and image.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

That is so good to hear. Thinking of a couple of my husband's cousins' children, they're like that, too, and are usually a delight to be around, and weirdly so much more patient than most older people.

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Greg Greene's avatar

Excited for your new novel!

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Gerald Sawyer's avatar

I was born in May of 1964, so I don't know where I belong. My parents were both born during WWII.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

Some have named those born on the cusp of the Boomer generation the "Jones generation" (though I'm not sure why). I think you'd be in this group, as technically so am I.

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Gerald Sawyer's avatar

I don't even know who Jones is. I know what ageism is though, unfortunately.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

Sadly, yes...

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Gerald Sawyer's avatar

I really need a job. I don't want to work until I die, but as a single person, I have no choice. Maybe Archaeology wasn't such a great choice but it was stimulating while it lasted. Take care Alma!

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Danny Alexander's avatar

Me too, 63. I find I identify most with X. But none of these generations are monolithic. I teach Gen Z, and have a Gen Z daughter who is incredible, and I suspect one thing this generation does is seek a connection, a sameness, that can't quite exist, especially now. If I notice any similarity it's a sense of wariness and even fear. After all, it's never been clearer the lunatics are running the asylum.

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Alma Katsu's avatar

Great comment and thanks for sharing your experience.

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Ray Van Horn, Jr.'s avatar

Go go go!

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