The truth behind the viral ‘lazy girl jobs’ trend on Tiktok

According to Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, the viral trend of “lazy girl jobs” is driven by fear of anxiety and overprotective parenting among Gen Z individuals. She stated on CNBC’s Squawk Box that the trend is not about laziness but rather reflects Gen Z’s strong desire to avoid anxiety at all costs. Welch emphasized that overprotective parents may have contributed to creating a generation of young adults who struggle to make tough decisions and handle challenging situations, leading them to feel overwhelmed and wanting to escape.

Welch clarified that her comments were based on a prior interview with Jennifer Sotsky, a psychiatrist specializing in Gen Z anxiety. Sotsky’s insights also served as the basis for Welch’s editorial in the Wall Street Journal on “lazy girl jobs,” where she attributed the trend to a lack of preparation for adulthood’s challenges by overprotective baby boomer parents.

The “lazy girl jobs” trend has gained significant popularity on TikTok, with videos under the #lazygirljobs hashtag amassing over 17.9 million views since May. In these videos, primarily women showcase their low-stress, well-paying, and often remote jobs. TikToker Gabrielle Judge, who popularized the trend, encouraged her followers to seek out these jobs, emphasizing that they can earn comfortable salaries without exerting much effort.

However, concerns have arisen regarding oversharing and the potential social repercussions of discussing these “lazy girl jobs” online. Some TikTok users have warned against sharing too much about their jobs to avoid negative consequences.

Despite the controversy, the debate over work-life balance sparked by the trend continues. Some argue that there is nothing lazy about seeking a job that offers a better work-life balance, emphasizing that employees in remote, well-paying roles tend to produce good results and remain dedicated to their work.