#generational-differences

#generational-differences

Welcome to exhausted America 2025: Most adults are more than a little fine with doling out cash as gifts, and many plan to be asleep before midnight on New Year's Eve, according to a new AP-NORC poll. About 6 in 10 Americans say cash or gift cards are "very" acceptable as holiday presents, but they're much less likely to say that about a gift that was purchased secondhand or re-gifted, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

With homes lingering on the market for a median of 63 days in October 2025 almost two weeks longer than the same month in 2023 buyers are entering transactions with more caution, clarity and financial preparation. As a result, 37% of 2025 buyers reported having no regrets at all, up from 31% two years earlier. As the market has shifted from a fast-paced sellers' market to one that gives buyers more breathing room, we're seeing buyer regret trend down, said Laura Eddy, Realtor.com's vice president of research and insights. Today's buyers are generally more qualified, taking extra time to weigh their options and make confident decisions factors that are helping reduce second-guessing after purchase. And for many, that means having even more to feel thankful for this season.

Legacy news media has long competed for audience with social media sites, video platforms, and streaming services. But a newer competitor - news creators - is pulling and retaining audiences in countries where mainstream media is struggling to keep them. A report published Tuesday by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ) identified geographical and generational differences in how much attention is paid to news creators compared to traditional media outlets and journalists on social and video platforms.

Young people are in a bad way; they feel very sad, completely depressed. The worst thing isn't the anxiety, or being glued to their phones, or feeling lonely, or being unemployed, or even knowing that it's impossible for them to buy a house; the worst part is that, until just a few years ago, none of them expected to find themselves in this situation.

Smartphones aren't just for calls and texts anymore; they're how most Americans handle just about everything. As of 2023, over 91% of people in the U.S. own one, according to the Pew Research Center, and the average person now spends over four hours a day glued to their phone screen, according to a 2025 eMarketer study. In this article, Spokeo breaks down screen time: How much time people spend on their phones?

"Historically, small talk has been a ritualized form of diplomacy," said Alison Blackler, a mind coach, author, and TEDx speaker. "It allows people to signal civility, gauge each other's intentions, and maintain harmony in social groups."

On average, younger respondents tended to use the technology for a far greater variety of purposes. For example, 55% of Generation Z respondents said they've used generative AI "to create imagery/art," compared with 46% of millennials and smaller proportions of Generation X and baby boomers. That trend held true almost completely across the board: the younger you are, the more likely you are to have experimented with generative AI in a greater number of ways.

While over half of all Americans rate math skills as "very important" in their work (55 percent) and personal (63 percent) lives, only 38 percent of young people (ages 18 to 24) said math skills are very important in their work life and 37 percent in their personal life, according to a December survey of 5,100 U.S. adults.

"Cotality's research found that 43% of homebuyers value speed in finding a home, while 41% emphasize the timing of securing a mortgage, indicating distinct buyer preferences."

Gen Z has adopted a blank, expressionless stare that can signal boredom, indifference, or superiority, often eliciting unease from older generations in social contexts.

Today's parents have access to infinitely more information than their parents had, and they hold themselves to a different set of standards.

My parents thought nothing of going out for dinner with friends, leaving my siblings and me at home alone. My sister was 8 when she started 'babysitting' my brother (6) and me (4). We had the phone number for the restaurant, but that was about it. Today, that would be seen as neglect!

Older people use ChatGPT like Google. People in their 20s and 30s use it as a life advisor. College students use it like an operating system.

In moments of elevated economic uncertainty, the premium on security increases: investors seek safe assets, businesses prioritize safe investments, and families double down on peace of mind.

Millennials describe the "Gen Z Stare" as blank expressions and vacant responses, often leading to misunderstandings in workplace interactions.

Moral panics thrive on fear and reduce their subjects to caricature. Commentators blame porn, or social media, or both.

The wind moves, but it's the mind that truly moves. The challenge lies in finding clarity amidst fast-paced changes that leave many feeling lost.

While some guests were pretty angry about weddings on a Thursday, one writer argues it's a smart move that offers more availability and less competition for venues.

During a recent business dinner in Panama, guests were encouraged to store their mobile phones in locked bags, promoting a phone-free experience. This approach resonated well with older attendees, while younger guests displayed significant cravings for their devices once the dinner ended.

"Among the findings, 96% of dog owners are willing to pay more per meal to ensure their pet has the healthiest life possible, highlighting their devotion."

The smiley face emoji can signal different meanings across generations; it's often seen as genuine happiness by older generations, while Gen Z views it as sarcasm.