According to research performed by the Pew Research Center, American adults from young to old are increasingly at odds over common social values ranging from religion to politics. In fact, we are now experiencing the largest generation gap in over 50 years. Last November, double the amount of 18 year olds voted for President Barack Obama than 30 year olds. 8 out of every 10 people believe there is a major difference between the point of view of younger vs. older people, according to the independent public opinion research group. That is the highest spread since 1969, when about 74 percent reported major differences in an era of generational conflicts over the Vietnam War and civil and women's rights.
"Around the notion of morality and work ethic, the differences in point of view are pretty much felt across the board," said Paul Taylor, director of the Pew Social and Demographic Trends Project. He cited a greater tolerance among younger people on cultural issues such as gay marriage and interracial relationships. Still, he noted that the generation gap in 2009 seemed to be more tepid in nature than it was in the 1960s, when younger people built a defiant counterculture in opposing the Vietnam War
"Today, it's more of a general outlook, a different point of view, a general set of moral values," Taylor said.
When asked where most disagreements arise between younger and older people, 47 percent said social values and morality. People age 18 to 29 were more likely to report disagreements over lifestyle, views on family, relationships and dating, while older people cited differences in a sense of entitlement. Those in the middle-age groups also often pointed to a difference in manners.
Religion is a far bigger part of the lives of older adults. About two-thirds of people 65 and older said religion is very important to them, compared with just over half of those 30 to 49 and 44 percent of people 18 to 29.
In addition, among adults 65 and older, one-third said religion has grown more important to them over the course of their lives, while 4 percent said it has become less important and 60 percent said it has stayed the same.
Pew interviewed 2,969 adults by cell phone or landline from Feb. 23 to March 23. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. In cases where older persons were too ill or incapacitated, their adult children were interviewed. Pew also used surveys conducted by Gallup, CBS and The New York Times to identify trends since 1969.
-Shawn
Citation: AP. "Study: Generation gap in U.S. largest since '60's." MSNBC. 29 Jun. 2009
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