Release Date: July 29, 2024
Photo by Becca Tapert via Unsplash Why does Gen Z think they’re aging “like milk”?
Movieguide® Contributor
Some believe that Gen Z is aging faster than millennials.
TikTok sensation “Jordan_The_Stallion,” whose real name is Jordan Howlett, acknowledged the phenomenon, also described as “aging like milk,” in a video that has been viewed more than 24 million times.
“The main culprit is stress,” Howlett said in response to another video that claimed Gen Z was aging “very rapidly.” “We live in a time where millennials look much younger than their age, while Gen Z looks much older than their age.”
“If you don’t believe me, I’d say I’m Gen Z… but nobody believes me. When my mum and I go out in public, everyone thinks she’s my sister,” says Howlett, who has visible wrinkles and wears glasses, before revealing that he’s only 26.
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Yahoo News explains that “Generation Z is between the ages of 11 and 26, while Millennials are between the ages of 27 and 42.”
So why does Gen Z look older than millennials? One theory is that they are biologically aging faster, which is influenced by lifestyle and should not be confused with chronological age.
“Biological age is not necessarily the same for everyone and better reflects the variability in the aging process between individuals. Biological age captures how a person ages depending on a variety of factors and biomarkers,” Dr. Lopez Jimenez told Mayo Clinic.
The Mayo Clinic went on to explain that these changes happen at a cellular level: “In the most basic sense, aging is the result of changes to the body’s cells, usually resulting in the destruction or deterioration of cells, causing them to work less well. Over time, these small changes in cells add up and lead to physical markers of aging, like wrinkles, and chronic conditions and diseases, like heart disease and dementia,” the clinic explains.
And according to Mayo, Howlett may be right when he says that stress is the biggest factor in causing premature aging.
“Researchers believe that genetics, DNA damage, oxidative stress, erosion of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes, senescent cells and chronic inflammation all influence how the body ages at the cellular level,” Mayo said.
“Stress is so underestimated as a factor in aging that I think we, especially Americans, sometimes embrace it like a badge of honor,” says Emily Trumpetti, aesthetician and founder of Skin Properties . “What we know about stress, especially chronic stress, and mental health is that it really does age us quickly.”
What causes Gen Z to feel stressed and look older than they actually are? Many factors come into play, but one notable factor is the use of social media, something that didn’t exist during Millennials’ childhood.
Movieguide® previously reported:
As the negative impact of social media on mental health becomes more apparent, more young users are abandoning the platform.
A recent Taro survey found that 56% of Gen Zers said social media has made them feel isolated from their peers.
The survey also noted that younger generations are more interested in TikTok, but despite being the most popular video-sharing app on the market, users are beginning to question the benefits of the addictive platform.
But issues with body image and low self-esteem among young female users only scratch the surface of the harm TikTok can cause to its users.
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