Gen Z is working hard, but the economy is putting the American dream out of reach for many
Young people are working. They're just waiting longer for the "American dream" that work was supposed to buy.Labor force participation among Americans in their prime working years remains near its...
By Fox News · Fox News
Young people are working. They're just waiting longer for the "American dream" that work was supposed to buy. Labor force participation among Americans in their prime working years remains near its highest level in decades. Yet younger adults are buying homes later, delaying marriage and putting off having children as housing prices, elevated interest rates and other household expenses continue to outpace wage growth for many households. The economic backdrop has come under renewed scrutiny after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested Gen Z's frustrations stem in part from "laziness." Once her comments drew backlash, Leavitt said critics had taken her remarks out of context, arguing she was referring to young people embracing socialism and communism — not a blanket statement regarding all of Gen Z. She added that "many Gen Z Americans are hardworking, entrepreneurial, and deeply patriotic." Generation Z, often shortened to Gen Z, includes Americans born between 1997 and 2012 , and is emerging as a growing force in both the labor market and U.S. politics. Leavitt also claimed the Trump administration's economic agenda — including tax cuts, deregulation and other affordability-focused policies — is intended to strengthen economic conditions for younger Americans. WE ASKED AMERICANS TO GRADE THE ECONOMY. THEN WE ASKED IF IT WOULD CHANGE THEIR VOTE. While her remarks sparked debate, economists say today's young people entered adulthood during one of the most challenging economic environments in decades, marked by high inflation, soaring housing costs and a cooling white-collar job market. The labor market data paint a more nuanced picture. Labor force participation among Americans ages 25 to 54 stood at about 83% in May, hovering near its highest level in decades, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Participation among Americans ages 20 to 24 has also remained above pre-pandemic levels. "There's lazy people in every generation," Heritage Found…