Generation Z feels little affinity to Anzac Day but more than anyone has a fight ahead of it

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As Anzac Day approaches, it’s time for the older generations to start thinking far more seriously about our younger people aged between 13 and 25 – the so-called Generation Z.

The situation was brought home to me by a News Corp Growth Intelligence Centre survey showing only 23 per cent of Generation Z felt connected to Anzac Day.

And when asked about their preparedness to defend Australia, Generation Z was the group least likely to do so automatically – just 16 per cent said they would take such action, compared with much higher percentages in older generations. But if a war was imminent, 68 per cent of Generation Z said they would either definitely serve or consider doing so – far higher than older generations.

If we face a war, it is Generation Z that will be most impacted. The first lesson I gained from the survey was that pure history does not motivate them, but they can be motivated if there is a cause or objective they believe in.

My guess is our younger generation can be motivated if their education is tailored to the national interest (such as defending Australia in a crisis) or offering them a real career, as was offered to previous generations.

Meanwhile, a great many younger people must be feeling very frustrated.

Most young “white-collar” employees can’t afford accommodation so are still living at home, albeit that their partner is welcome to stay the night.

Former generations went through the education system, including university, knowing there was a job available on graduation, and those jobs offered a clear career path. They could buy a house and have a family.

If we face a war, it is Generation Z that will be most impacted. Picture: Supplied

Fast-forward to today and that lifestyle is more prevalent among successful tradies and to some extent teaching, nursing and paramedics.

Many who came out of university seeking white-collar jobs did extremely well. But the abundance of white-collar jobs that were available to the previous generations have been replaced by computers, and with artificial intelligence looming, this trend will accelerate.

Accordingly, a lot of young people who expected jobs in private enterprise are frustrated, although the position has been relieved by mass hirings in state and federal public services.

In the private sector, jobs are now being replaced by artificial intelligence, which will also replace many of the looming baby boomers who will retire soon.

In this election campaign both parties have put forward a home-ownership package which will help many but did not address the basic problem that a great many younger people simply don’t have the opportunity to see a worthwhile career path.

The situation is not helped by the fact that too many universities are dominated by ideologues who educate students into social issues which don’t prepare them for the current challenges.

President Trump is taking an axe to US university programs that emphasise so-called woke causes and anti-Semitism rather than real history and more relevant current circumstance courses.

I doubt whether Donald Trump’s agenda will be transplanted to Australia, but we do need universities that can better prepare students for the environment in which they will work.

In Australia, the Coalition proposed a substantial cutback in overseas university students on the basis it would relieve pressure on the housing market. And in some areas that policy made sense – many large universities have accommodation complexes designed for students, not the public.

But the days when most students walked out of university into exciting careers have diminished, and rather than take up the challenge, too many Australian universities have slipped into the popular causes. Those with bad boards and vice-chancellors have become cesspools of anti-Semitic activity.

What they should be doing is recognising the outlook for university students has changed dramatically, and courses are required that help students to prepare themselves for the new skills required for organisations that use artificial intelligence.

The good news for Generation Z is the baby boomers are beginning to retire and a lot of positions will become available.

University fees are high and we may see a changing of the guard. Those universities that can minimise the agenda-driven social dialogue and instead emphasise helping students will prosper.

But we will also need some hand-holding for young people because in the next year or two the world is set to be a tougher place because of trade wars and because in Australia we have introduced legislation to lower productivity.

I’m encouraged that, despite all the social agendas, young people’s love of Australia translates into wanting to help defend the country if it’s in trouble.

That’s exactly what the previous generations did, which underpinned Australia, but if the major parties don’t capture the mood, it may be captured by extreme organisations.