Can Gen Z truly opt out of capitalism?

IT'S NO SECRET that millennials and Gen Zers are displeased with capitalism and the hustle culture that feeds it.

- ERIN LOWRY Bloomberg

Many polls and reports have charted the generations' disillusionment with — and attempts to move away from — America's economic system. That's why we've seen trends like "#lazygirljobs", "quiet quitting" or "bare minimum Mondays" take off over the years.

But can those who get the "the ick" — to borrow Gen Z slang — from participating in a capitalist society truly opt out? Idealists may not like the answer, but the only way to truly flout capitalism is to first achieve financial freedom by engaging with, yes, capitalism. The most significant reason is the issue of retirement.

Let's focus on Wall Street since it's often pointed to as a symbol of the systems that widen the wealth inequality gap. In theory, opting out of any involvement with the financial district would need to happen to reject America's economic system. The problem is that the stock market is often the bedrock of what provides the opportunity to establish long-term financial security. This often comes in the form of a 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan, which, when utilized effectively, means investing.