"Lazy", "entitled", "unreliable", "snowflakes" - just some of the unflattering terms frequently used to describe "Gen Z". But are these descriptions fair and accurate, or completely wide of the mark?
In a newly published book, Palmers Green-based educationalist Alex Atherton draws on his career-long experience to reassess this much maligned generation and to suggest that if older generations want to draw on Gen Z's strengths, they need to change their approach.
In The Snowflake Myth, Alex Atherton sets out the reasons why he believes that the generation of students that he encountered during his quarter century in the classroom and as a head teacher are widely misunderstood by older generations - their parents, employers and older work colleagues. Far from being "snowflakes", unable to cope with the stresses and strains of adult life, they are, he argues, "our most diligent, pragmatic, and patient generation yet". But to make the most of these qualities, Gen X need to learn how to see the world through younger people's eyes and employers need to adopt new strategies.
Puzzled by references to Gen X, Gen Z etc? Click here for an explanation.
There is a certain amount of variation in how different researchers define the various generations. When talking on the subject, Alex uses the dates shown below:
| |
Year of birth |
Current age |
| Silent Generation |
1925 - 1945 |
80 -100 |
| Baby Boomers |
1946 - 1964 |
61- 79 |
| Generation X |
1965 - 1980 |
45 - 60 |
| Millennials |
1981 - 1996 |
29 - 44 |
| Generation Z |
1997 - 2012 |
13 - 28 |
| Generation Alpha |
2013 - 2028 |
12 max |
With regard to the use of these "generations", he says:
"I find generations to be a useful concept to analyse change over time, and the impact it has on outlooks, lifestyles etc. At a rough length of approximately 15 to 20 years that’s enough time to look for a difference.
"It also has its limits. It’s not a guillotine between one generation and the next and differences within generations will always be bigger than those between. I always advise employers to treat people as individuals and not rely on generational stereotypes.
"In the book I argue that financial uncertainty and digital transformation are key factors on the perspective of Gen Z, the youngest generation in the workplace."
Six "submyths"
In The Snowflake Myth, Alex breaks down the overarching "myth" into six "submyths" about Gen Z - that they are:
- "lazy"
- "unreliable"
- "instant" - demanding immediate gratification
- "apathetic"
- "slack"
- "fake".
The main part of the book is dedicated to exploring each of these submyths, as summarised in the short videos below.
When older people see what they regard as evidence of these undesirable qualities, they are mistaking both the motives and the lived experiences of the members of Gen Z. The economic situation in which Gen Z find themselves is very different from and much less predictable than that experienced by their parents and grandparents. Modern circumstances force them to adopt different priorities.
Ultimately, Alex suggests, the way forward is for different generations to combine their unique strengths and collaborate for mutual success.
The Snowflake Myth: Explaining Gen Z in the workplace and beyond
by Alex Atherton
Alex Atherton is the former secondary school head teacher who heard the word ‘snowflake’ once too often. In The Snowflake Myth, he challenges the negative stereotypes surrounding Generation Z. Drawing on his years of experience working with thousands of students, Atherton reveals that far from being lazy, entitled, or unreliable, Gen Z represents our most diligent, pragmatic, and patient generation yet.
This timely analysis dissects persistent misconceptions — from so-called ‘instant’ needs to claims of workplace apathy — showcasing instead a generation shaped by economic uncertainty and digital transformation. The book offers practical strategies for organisations seeking to recruit, retain, and develop Gen Z talent. It provides essential guidance for managers struggling with multi-generational workplaces and parents who want to a better understanding of their sons and daughters.
Most importantly, Atherton argues that the generational gap can be bridged — but the change must begin with older generations adapting their perspectives. Ultimately, this book isn't just about understanding Gen Z, but about creating a collaborative future where different generations leverage their unique strengths for mutual success.
How to buy the book
The book will be published on Sunday 28th September 2025 as a paperback and ebook.
Click here to pre-order an ebook now at the very special price of 99p. After release date this will go up to the normal price.
(The more popular the ebook, the more likely that the book can get into actual bookshops in the future!)
The paperback version is also available for pre-order from Amazon.
It will also be available as an audiobook around late October.
