Baku, August 8 – Many members of Azerbaijan’s Generation Z increasingly view work solely as a means to earn money, with little regard for work–life balance or the idea that a job can bring personal fulfillment and social value.
According to some observers, this mindset is pushing part of the younger generation toward “easy money” schemes — and in some cases, into criminal activity and prison sentences.
Milli Majlis MP Jeyhun Mammadov says the roots of the problem lie in the country’s upbringing and education system. Too often, he noted, parents choose a university major for their children based on their own unfulfilled ambitions, steering them into careers they have no interest in. “Without genuine motivation, young people lose interest in both study and work,” he explained.
Mammadov argues that each young person should have the freedom to choose their own career path, free from pressure. Schools, universities, and media, he says, should promote values that portray work not merely as a source of income but as a meaningful contribution to society.
The lawmaker stressed, however, that youth often see the opposite in daily life. “When a young person observes that the entire system is driven only by money, they too start looking for shortcuts. Society itself pushes them in that direction. That’s why we must promote respect for all professions and show that each has its own value and dignity,” he said.
He believes that successful professionals who truly love their work should play a leading role in changing perceptions. Their stories, he said, should be widely shared in the media, schools, and public forums. “Our main task is to build a bridge between generations so that the experience of the older can be passed on to the younger. If we can change attitudes and strengthen these connections, we can solve the problem. But this requires sustained educational and outreach efforts — something that is still lacking today,” Mammadov concluded.
