By Daryl C. Hannah - Jun 30, 2009
Also read: generations in the workplace, age discrimination, older workers, recession, bad economy
From religion to relationships, American adults, young to old, disagree on social and political issues, creating the widest gap in generational attitudes since dissention over Vietnam, civil rights and women's liberation, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.
The survey asked nearly 3,000 respondents if there is a generational gap and to identify where older and younger people differ most. What researchers found: 79 percent of respondents said that there's a gap; in 1969, 74 percent of Americans reported a generation gap. In addition, Pew found that older Americans (65 years and older) cite differences in sense of entitlement, while younger Americans between 18 and 29 report disagreements over lifestyle, family views, relationships and dating.
"Around the notion of morality and work ethic, the differences in point of view are pretty much felt across the board," Paul Taylor, director of the Pew Social and Demographic Trends Project, told The Associated Press. "Today, it's more of a general outlook, a different point of view, a general set of moral values."
The survey also found that religion is, by far, a priority for older adults--two-thirds of respondents 65 and older say it's very important--compared with just over half of middle-aged adults and 44 percent of adults between ages 18 and 29.
More findings from the survey:
• Latinos are more likely to report health problems in old age. Nearly 35 percent of Latinos 65 and older say they have a serious illness versus 20 percent of whites and 22 percent of Blacks in the same age group.
• 87 percent of respondents under 65 feel they will have more time for hobbies. Currently, only 65 percent of those 65 and older report having it. Older adults end up having less leisure time than expected.
• Americans differ on when old age begins. On average, they say 68. People under age 30 believe it begins at 60, while those 65 and older push the threshold to 74. Of all those surveyed, most said they wanted to live to 89.
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