A particular sub-genre of cinema and TV holds little appeal for Gen Z, according to a recent study conducted by The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA.
Collecting data from almost 700 teenagers in July from across the United States, the study found that only 4.4% of the teens queried wanted to see conventional “aspirational” content in their fictional work such as being rich or living glamorous lifestyles.
Instead, they found a far larger number (21%) prefer content that deals with real-world issues including family and parental dynamics, mental health and social justice, and that many teens “feel isolated and upset when media lack accurate identity representations”.
Psychologist Dr. Yalda Uhls says: “Teens want their media to show a world characterized by genuine diversity, relatable characters and heartwarming experiences.”
The study also found that hopeful, uplifting stories about people beating the odds, and stories about people with lives unlike their own topped the list of preferred topics Gen Z would like to see portrayed in the TV shows and movies they watch.
Social media reportedly remains the go-to place for authenticity for most teens, with 55% feeling it does the best job at reflecting content that feels authentic to them.
