1997 is the very first year of Gen Z. Period.

Most people born in 1997 cannot remember 9/11, the '90s, or Y2K. That is undeniably a fact. No one cares about the few who do, I have never actually met anyone close my age who does.

Also, most 1997ers cannot relate to ‘80s and early ‘90s babies. Again no one cares that one person says they do. Good for them, I’m sure some do. But I can tell you that ‘80s and early ‘90s most do not see us as in the same generation. Maybe blame them for gatekeeping us out.