Harvard’s Making Caring Common reports that 47% of Gen Z say young people face “a lot” of pressure to find one purpose; 38% report at least some. Its admissions report says applications should focus on students’ values, not a fixed calling.
The report, produced with Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation, found 79% of respondents wanted future jobs mainly focused on helping others or making a positive difference, while 51% said their lives lacked meaning, purpose or both. It also found 55% of Gen Z adults agreed they were stressed by achievement pressure, rising to 63% among 19- to 21-year-olds. Lead author Richard Weissbourd said Gen Zers who feel needed and make a positive difference are about three to four times more likely to experience meaning or purpose; he added that meaning and purpose are strongly correlated with better mental health.
The 2026 report updates Making Caring Common’s 2016 college-admissions initiative. It recommends school capstone projects that ask students to connect their values with career and life goals, and suggests parents ask what interests or bores teens rather than focus mainly on grades. The report says meaningful goals can evolve over time.
