Megan Josephson, a therapist, shares her insights on people-pleasing among Gen Zers, who often struggle with online validation and fear of rejection.
Growing up in a volatile home, Josephson developed a “fawn response” to manage her father’s moods. She realized that this behavior became her default response even when no one was mad at her. Healing from this pattern inspired her to become a therapist.
Josephson notes that social media has amplified the Gen Z fawn response, making it easier for individuals to seek validation and get stuck in an approval-hunting loop. This online environment primes people-pleasers with feelings of rejection, triggering a need for reassurance.
Relying on technology, like AI-powered chatbots, can be a crutch for those seeking constant reassurance. However, Josephson emphasizes that true self-protection requires acknowledging and addressing the underlying fears.
One way to start breaking free from people-pleasing is by pausing in heated conversations or taking a moment of mindfulness. This helps acknowledge the fear without immediately reacting to it. By doing so, individuals can begin to recognize what drives their need for external validation and make conscious choices about how they want to communicate.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-people-pleasing-generation-explained-2025-7