For most of our lives, we’ve been taught to follow a specific formula: go to college, get a “good” job, work hard, save, buy a house, and live happily ever after. That was the blueprint passed down by our parents, most of whom meant well and wanted nothing but stability for their children. The reality, though, is that this formula no longer works the way it once did.
What worked for our parents 30 years ago simply doesn’t apply to the world we’re living in today. Gen Z is growing up in a different economy, under a different political climate, and with a completely different set of cultural expectations. Rent continues to climb, and tuition costs have tripled. Even groceries alone can drain a paycheck. Traditional life milestones like homeownership, marriage, and long-term job security feel less like steps on a life path and more like privileges reserved for the few who can afford them.
Older generations, especially Gen X and Boomers, often offer advice rooted in a version of the world that no longer exists. Many of us have been told to “hand your resume directly to the CEO,” or “just go in and ask for the job.” These ideas stem from a time when career access was less digital and more direct. Today’s hiring process often involves applicant tracking systems, online portals, and algorithmic filters that reject candidates before a human ever sees their name. Walking in with a paper resume is rarely a game-changer anymore; it can even be seen as disruptive or outdated.
Advice around dating also feels increasingly disconnected. Parents frequently suggest that we “just go talk to someone” or “stop being so picky.” However, most of them never had to navigate the complexity of dating apps, social media, digital performativity, or the emotional toll of situationships. A wrong choice in 2025 doesn’t just hurt your feelings—it might land you in a viral TikTok storytime. Relationships today are layered with things our parents never had to worry about. Therefore, their guidance often feels shallow or ineffective.
One of the biggest disconnects between generations revolves around education. Many parents still see college as the only legitimate pathway to success. For them, earning a degree meant access, opportunity, and upward mobility. However, that return on investment doesn’t always hold up today. College costs have skyrocketed, and student loan debt can follow you for decades. Even with a diploma, there’s no guarantee of job security or livable wages.
Gen Z is starting to realize that success doesn’t have to come with a degree. Some are launching businesses, diving into trades, pursuing content creation, or earning certifications in tech fields. These fields value skills over formal education. Choosing not to attend college doesn’t mean someone is lost; it may mean they’re finding a new way to define purpose on their own terms. The pressure to follow one linear path no longer makes sense. We live in a world that demands flexibility and creativity.
It’s also worth noting that most parents will choose safety over risk every time. While that instinct comes from love, it can also limit growth. For those of us with big dreams—whether that means launching a brand, moving across the country, becoming a content creator, or choosing an unconventional career path—constantly running our plans by cautious parents can derail momentum. This is especially true in many households of color, where family dynamics are built on obedience and tradition. Often, we are raised to believe that our parents’ word is law because they made sacrifices we feel obligated to honor. However, if we do not want the life they led, we must be willing to take different steps.
It may be uncomfortable, but necessary, to ask: would I trade lives with the person giving me advice? If the answer is no, their words should be taken with care. Love your parents. Respect their wisdom. But remember that survival based advice is not always aligned with a life built on purpose or passion. Their version of success may not fit your future, and that’s okay.
Navigating the space between honoring your parents’ traditional values and pursuing your own aspirations isn’t easy, especially when both feel deeply personal. The key is balance. You can still respect your upbringing while choosing a path that reflects who you are today. That might mean having open, honest conversations with your parents about your goals, even if they don’t fully understand them. It might mean setting boundaries that protect your mental and emotional well being. Adopting values like discipline, resilience, or community from your parents doesn’t mean you have to copy their exact choices. In a rapidly changing world, success looks different than it did a generation ago. You’re allowed to create a hybrid blueprint, one that honors where you came from but also leaves room for where you’re going.
While it’s important not to blame yourself for struggling in a broken system, personal responsibility still matters. The playing field may be uneven, but no one is coming to save us. If you are not actively learning how to manage money, build credit, or create new opportunities, you are choosing stagnancy. Financial literacy is not optional; it is the only way to gain real freedom. You can reject outdated advice while still committing to building a smarter future for yourself.
Our parents are not wrong for wanting the best for us. Their advice is rooted in what worked for them. However, experience does not always equal relevance. The world has changed, and we are being called to live, work, love, and thrive in ways that are completely different from the generations before us.
Living life on your own terms is not about rebellion. It is about awareness. Choosing a new path, one centered on mental health, creativity, or entrepreneurship, does not mean you are ungrateful. It means you are grounded in your own truth. That is something to be proud of.
Every generation must redefine what success looks like. Gen Z is not here to repeat history; we are here to reshape it. That journey begins by listening closely to others and to ourselves. It also involves knowing when to let go of advice that no longer applies.