I think Gen Z people often believe in progressive content of beliefs. But we also are culturally conservative in a sense. I believe this since Gen Z people are more cautious, have less sex, and for some reason, some gendered social roles are returning. People are watching other people for them to make mistakes because of the internet and social media.
I get conservative vibes, and less uninhibited type liberalism from my generation. We are generally speaking more straight laced than millennials and Gen X people were at our age. Conformist is the word I am looking for.
I don't like liberalism as institutionalism, and preferred when liberalism existed outside of institutions. It is probably responsible for the current conformist feel.
At the same time, many Gen Z people support transgender people, gay people, are against ableism, and many things like that. I think that is progressive style thinking, but it's framing is just different than earlier liberal people.
Earlier progressives were about breaking down systems rather than steering it. During the hippie time, during the Reagan era, and up until the War on Terror, progressivism was all from this outsider and freedom focused perspective. Progressives used to be rebels challenging the system.
I don't like how when progressivism won in the 2010s, it became fused with conservative associated values. Like moral respectability and a clean cut culture that is soft. I will blame this shift for why my generation, Gen Z, is like this.
At least it is changing somewhat by now. I like the direction at least internet culture is taking, where people can be more dirtbag regardless of the side they are on.