dq. Fox News’ Dana Perino Says Gen Z Is Too Obsessed With Work-Life Balance: “There Are Seasons in Your Life When You Are Going to Work 18-Hour Days”
Fox News anchor and former White House press secretary Dana Perino is sparking conversation — and controversy — after sharing her thoughts on Gen Z’s approach to career and ambition. In a recent interview promoting her new book, I Wish Someone Had Told Me, Perino said today’s younger generation is “too obsessed” with maintaining work-life balance at the expense of growth and discipline.
“There are seasons in your life when you are going to work 18-hour days,” she said. “That’s not a bad thing — it’s part of building something meaningful.”
Perino, who spent decades climbing from local newsrooms to one of the most prominent positions in media and politics, believes that the expectation of constant comfort and balance early in one’s career is unrealistic. “It’s okay to hustle when you’re young,” she added. “The reward for that hard work is freedom later.”
Her comments immediately ignited debate online. Critics accused her of being “out of touch” with a generation facing burnout, rising living costs, and stagnant wages. Supporters, however, praised her for offering what they saw as a much-needed reality check in an era dominated by “quiet quitting” and “bare minimum Mondays.”
Social media platforms lit up with mixed reactions:
“She’s right — success doesn’t come with 9-to-5 comfort.”
“Easy for her to say after making millions. Gen Z works hard too, just smarter.”
Despite the backlash, Perino stood by her point, clarifying that she wasn’t dismissing the importance of rest — only emphasizing that balance comes in stages, not all at once.
As the debate continues, one thing is certain: Dana Perino has struck a nerve with a generation redefining what it means to work, to live, and to find purpose in between.
