While being born between 1997 and 2012 makes you a Gen Z’er, there’s more to it than that. There’s something very distinct about Gen Z’ers, and that’s because growing up in the digital world has been quite unique. If you want to know whether or not you fit the bill of the Latina Gen Z’er, here are 10 signs that you’ll probably recognize:
You’re a huge Bad Bunny fan
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While Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is a late millennial, his music has resonated a lot with Latino Gen Z’ers and that’s a big reason for his popularity. His music speaks to Latino Gen Z’ers, especially with songs like “Yonaguni,” “Yo Perreo Sola,” “Safaera,” “Amorfoda,” “Maldita Pobreza,” and more. Not only is his music perfect for perreo, but his lyrics often explore relatable themes like heartbreak, ambition, success, etc.
You speak fluent Spanglish
One thing about Latino Gen Z’ers in the U.S. is that they’re fully embracing their bicultural identity. One of the ways they do that is by speaking fluent Spanglish. Whether your knowledge of the Spanish language is limited or not, you feel very comfortable sprinkling Spanish words into your sentences because you’re proud of your heritage. Spanglish and having an accent used to be sources of embarrassment, and still can be for some Latinos, but it’s no longer the norm and will soon be a thing of the past.
You’re crazy about TikTok
You're not just a passive scroller, you’re an active participant in the Latino TikTok community. Whether you’re doing viral dances to the latest reggaeton songs, making “storytime” videos about your Latino experience in the U.S. or Latin America, or sharing your favorite family recipes to show the world real Latino flavor, you’re showing yourself authentically and sharing your Latinidad. Some of your favorite TikTokers are probably Brenda and Valery, Jay, and many others.
You’re very into astrology
Gen Z’ers have embraced astrology fully and Latinas are no exception, especially because many Latinos grow up with at least some exposure to astrology. Your mom probably loved Walter Mercado and checked his horoscope religiously, so that was likely the start of your interest, but Latina Gen Z’ers have fully developed their craft. You can probably guess most people’s signs just based on their personality, you’ve asked everyone you care about for their birth charts (especially men you’re interested in), and you’re the go-to friend for anything astrology, including what to do during mercury retrograde.
You’re a social justice advocate
Photo by Michelle Celedon on UnsplashOne thing about Gen Z’ers, especially Latina Gen Z’ers who are hungry for change, is that they’re louder about the causes they care about. Gen Z’ers are passionate social justice advocates and they use their voices, especially on social media, to raise awareness about the things they care about. Of course, there are social justice advocates and activists in every generation. One generation inspires the next and Gen Z’er are carrying the baton well.
You get your acrylic nails done religiously
Photo by Inga Engele on UnsplashWhile acrylic nails are not exclusive to this generation, Latina Gen Z’ers are partly responsible for their rise in popularity. For Latina Gen Z’ers, acrylic nails are a form of self-expression and they usually go all out with features like pierced nails, colorful nail art designs, 3D nail art like butterflies, flowers, or even religious symbols like crosses, rhinestones, and more. The sky’s truly the limit!
Karol G is your girl
Last but certainly not least, Latina Gen Z’ers are 100% behind Karol G. “La Bichota” is probably one of your biggest sources of inspiration when it comes to style and aesthetics. More importantly, her music speaks to Latina Gen Z’ers with songs like “Tusa,” “X Si Volvemos,” “TQG” with Shakira, and “MAMIII” with Becky G to mention a few. Karol G is a badass Colombian artist Latinas can get behind and you’re probably not missing a moment of her rise to fame.
You champion Latino representation in the media
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While there’s still a long way to go, some strides have been made in the way Latinos are represented in the media. Latina Gen Z’ers are fierce champions of representation that actually honors their culture and roots. For example, Disney movies like “Encanto,” which offers Colombian representation, and “Coco,” which represents Mexican culture, have gone viral online because Latino Gen Z’ers have helped boost them with fun trends.
You care less about gender roles
Photo by Delia Giandeini on UnsplashLatino culture is still stuck in the past in some ways, particularly when it comes to traditional gender roles. Many Latino families still uphold them, but Latina Gen Z’ers are empowered, and they oppose machismo and marianismo very strongly by leading more authentic lives. Breaking stereotypes is the Latina Gen Z’er way, so if you’re marching to the beat of your own drum when it comes to your career and lifestyle, and challenging traditional gender roles, you’re a perfect example of your generation.
You’ve watched every Latina-led show
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Gen Z is quite lucky in that there are many more Latino-led shows to are both entertaining and provide representation. You’ve probably watched them all, including “Vida,” “Los Espookys,” “Gentefied,” “Lopez vs Lopez,” and more. Plus, it’s likely that you got sucked into the hype of older Latino shows and novelas making a bit of a comeback, such as “Yo Soy Betty, La Fea,” which is getting a second sequel in 2024, so keep an eye out for that if you enjoyed Betty.
