Bruno Pugh
Gen Z grew up expecting fulfilling careers and balanced lives—but adulthood delivered a different script. Promises of stability, ease, and independence felt flat under real-world pressure. These 20 myths reveal how Gen Z’s version of adult life turned out to be far from what was promised. Let’s break down the truths that every young adult deserves to hear.
Getting A College Degree Will Set You Up For Life
Earning a college degree was supposed to be the ultimate career booster for Gen Z. The dream sold to them was stability, but what they found instead was struggle. Many graduates are unemployed or underemployed, burdened by student loans. The once-revered degree no longer holds the same weight.
Hard Work Guarantees Success
Gen Z believed that hard work would guarantee success. They were raised with this promise. However, economic realities and social upheaval have proven this wrong. Woke Waves 2025 report suggests that 62% of Gen Z prefer multiple income streams over traditional jobs—driven by the belief that financial freedom won’t come from a single paycheck.
Homeownership Is Achievable By Your 20s
Previous generations made homeownership by your 20s seem achievable. Gen Z has found this to be a myth. According to Forbes, only 27% of young adults own a home in 2024; the dream is out of reach for many. Sky-high rents and huge deposits have earned them the nickname “Generation Rent.”
Adulthood Means Stability And Independence
Stability and independence are presented as hallmarks of adulthood for Gen Z. Today’s generation faces a harsher reality. Financial insecurity and stress erode their ability to live freely. Many even feel disappointed by the gap between the stable adult life they expected and the reality they face.
Social Security Will Be There For You
Social Security was presented as a guaranteed support system for later years. Now, young adults find themselves questioning its existence. The broken promise has left many young people with little faith in established social programs. The future of retirement planning is uncertain, and Gen Z is left to grapple with the consequences.
Adulthood Brings Maturity And Respect
Reaching adulthood was supposed to bring respect and maturity. However, many are discovering a different reality. Older generations still tend to dismiss them, creating a disconnect between expected and actual experiences. As a result, the respect that was meant to come with age remains out of reach.
Therapy Will Fix Everything
Gen Z believed therapy would be a cure-all for adulting struggles. However, many find themselves struggling with anxiety, depression, and life’s difficulties despite consistent therapy sessions. Abigail Shrier’s “Bad Therapy” explores this generational reliance on therapy. Sadly, Gen Z remains the most depressed generation.
Entry-Level Jobs Are Easy To Get
Entry-level jobs were supposed to be plentiful for Gen Z graduates. However, this expectation proved false. Many find themselves competing fiercely for scarce opportunities. The decline in job openings is adding pressure to an already strained employment scene.
Adulthood Means Leaving Your Parents’ Home
Moving out was presented as a rite of passage, yet the promise remains unfulfilled for many. Financial pressures, including inflated rents and low pay, make independent living impossible. Staying at home has become the new normal, as economic pressures continue to reshape the path to adulthood.
Adulthood Is Less Stressful Than Youth
Gen Z adults report overwhelming stress and financial worries. They were assured adulthood would bring peace after the storm of adolescence. The reality is starkly different. For them, the smooth transition into adulthood was never real — but the hope for a better future still burns bright.
Mental Health Will Improve With Age
Many have heard that mental health struggles would fade with age. Yet, rates of anxiety and depression continue to climb and exceed those of prior generations. Many young adults find themselves battling with these challenges, despite increased access to therapy and mental health resources.
Adulthood Means Financial Independence
Adulthood was supposed to bring financial freedom for Gen Z. This has not been the case. Economic realities have made it difficult for many to achieve financial stability; over half struggle with living expenses and inadequate savings. Gen Z faces a unique uphill battle.
Adulthood Means You’ll Be Able To Afford A Car
Buying a car has become a significant financial hurdle in the current economy, with sky-high rents and stagnant wages squeezing their budgets. Gen Z assumed car ownership would come naturally in adulthood, only to find it was largely a myth. As a result, many now rely on alternative transportation options.
Adulthood Means You’ll Have Decent Living Standards
Decent living standards were part of the adulthood package promised to Gen Z. However, many now find themselves relying on cheap meals and struggling with the cost of basic furniture. High housing costs are forcing many young adults to cut back on everyday expenses and rethink financial priorities.
The Internet Will Motivate You
They were promised an empowering internet, a tool for connection and opportunity. The reality for Gen Z? Social media became a source of anxiety, comparison, and cyberbullying, harming their mental health. Amanda Todd’s story is a painful reminder of the lasting impact of online harassment. Instagram’s attempt to reduce pressure came too late — the harm had already been done.
Adulthood Means You’ll Have A Stable Career Path
Gen Z believed that following the “classical playbook” would lead to a secure career. This turned out to be false. There has been a drastic change in the Job market due to technology and many other economic factors. Young adults now frequently switch jobs in search of better opportunities since a stable career path feels increasingly out of reach.
Adulthood Means You’ll Have Time For Yourself
They anticipated a life of freedom and personal time. Instead, young adults often juggle multiple jobs and financial anxieties, which leaves little room for hobbies or self-care. The promise of a balanced adult life remains a distant dream for many struggling Gen Zers.
Adulthood Means You’ll Be Able To Travel
Many find themselves prioritizing affordability and searching for travel deals. The global pandemic added yet another obstacle to their travel aspirations. Moreover, financial constraints and economic instability have made exploring the world difficult. Gen Z dreamed adulthood meant easy travel, but reality said otherwise.
Adulthood Means You’ll Have a Supportive Community
A common narrative sold to Gen Z was the promise of a built-in support system in adulthood. Economic pressures leave young adults isolated, even as they search for interaction. Institutions and older generations often fall short of providing support, leaving Gen Z feeling adrift and without guidance.
Adulthood Means You’ll Have Decision-Making Confidence
It’s Ironic how this generation struggles with more decision-making anxiety than prior generations. Gen Z anticipates that confident decision-making in adulthood is not the reality. Independence brings stress and uncertainty for many young adults, as stability remains elusive.