Pandemic-induced stress is taking a bigger toll on Gen Z and Millennials compared to generations before them. 

Pandemic-induced stress is taking a bigger toll on Gen Z and Millennials compared to generations before them. From having their education move online, to entering the job market in a WFH world, to having social interactions cut down dramatically, the pandemic has upended some of Gen Z and Millennials’ biggest life milestones. While COVID-19 has impacted every generation (more than a third of Americans 13-56-years-old cite the pandemic as a major source of stress), nearly half of 13-24-year-olds say the pandemic has made it harder to pursue their education or career goals, compared to 36% of 25-40-year-olds and 31% of Gen X, according to a new survey from MTV Entertainment Group and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Additionally, 40% of 13-24-year-olds say pursuing romantic relationships has been more difficult because of the pandemic, with 45% saying maintaining good relationships with friends has also been hard. YPulse’s What’s Next for Work trend research explores how the pandemic is impacting young people’s assessment of what they want out of their work life, causing some to leave career paths to pursue more stable (or passion-filled) opportunities. According to one 21-year-old who went from pursuing a career in teaching to working toward becoming a school counselor, “For a lot of high schoolers I knew, school during the pandemic was a big struggle. I think that that kind of changed my view on what I want to do when I get out of here.” (CNBC)