Well, they’re not the brightest bulbs in the box — and their cluelessness comes at a high cost.
The adult babies of Gen Z can cry about strict workplace mores and whine over the anxiety-inducing stress of making a phone call.
But they can’t even change a lightbulb, per new data on the youngsters’ incapacity to tackle everyday, do-it-yourself duties.
“The ability to do basic, practical tasks is being lost amongst younger generations,” warned Andy Turbefield of Halfords, a UK-based motoring and cycling retailer.
Researchers for the brand surveyed 2,000 grown-ups, including Zoomers, real-world newbies ranging in age from 18 to 27, as well as millennials, guys and gals ages 28 to 44; Gen Xers, folks 45 to 60; and baby boomers, silver foxes over age 60, to determine each demographic’s level of self-sufficiency.
The investigators found that nearly 25% of Gen Zers had no idea how to change a lightbulb in a ceiling lamp, with many claiming that climbing a ladder is “too dangerous.” One in five also worry that the bulb might be “too hot.”
So, instead of risking their lives to complete the common DIY, the Z’s would rather GOTDIT — Get Others To Do It, according to the report.
The enlightening revelation comes as the latest layer to top the “Gen Z is lazy” cake, a not-so-sweet campaign that has somewhat soured society’s taste for the 20-somethings.
But rather than acquiescing to the “lazy” stereotype — shade that Gen Zs in NYC have staunchly rebuffed — the whippersnappers would, instead, prefer paying service people major money to handle their minor inconveniences.
Analysts with Halfords found that Zers, on average, spend over $1,500 per year, hiring professionals to knock out basic household chores.
Gen Xers only shell out approximately $470 for the extra help annually, while boomers drop about $300 on a little supplementary support.
But, based on Gen Z’s reported lack of fundamental skills, their big payouts may be money well spent.
In addition to not knowing how to change a lightbulb, the majority of team-Zers aren’t confident in their abilities to clean a car. In fact, a faction of respondents said they’d rather have their parents do the dirty work for them.
Less than half of the younglings don’t know how to add air to a car tire, and even fewer know how to fit a windshield wiper blade.
And a shocking 30% of the group could not identify a flathead screwdriver, while 21% couldn’t recognize a wrench.
One in 10 Gen Zers admitted they’d call a pro to hang a picture on a wall, too.
“Motoring knowledge, in particular, appears to be on the decline,” said Turbefield, in part, “with many reluctant to take on even the most basic tasks.”
