aattitude of young generation to the society
Answers
Intergenerational attitudes are changing. Older generations see some young people as a threat to their safety. This is driven by anti-social behaviour (tolerance of which is in decline), negative press coverage of young people and public behaviour, usually in groups, which looks intimidating.
On the flip side, youth attitudes to older generations may also be hardening. The ageing population means that a larger share of national income will be required to pay for pensions and healthcare, potentially leading to increasing debates on whether welfare gains for one age-group (i.e. the elderly) come at the expense of another (i.e. students). At the same time the economic downturn has reduced opportunities for young people (including high house prices (see housing market), university fees, and a more competitive job market), there is constrained public spending, and an increased understanding that climate change may limit future consumption. Taken together, these factors are contributing to a perception that the current generation will not be able to attain as high a standard of living as some older people today.
Within the categories of 'older generation' and 'youth generation' there is ample diversity - 60-year-olds are very different to 80-year-olds (see diversity of older people) and inequalities of income and educational attainment are particuarly striking in the young. The increasing diversity of older people means that the way older people are viewed is shifting, which may lead to a decrease in stereotypes and prejudice towards older people. As the older generation participates more online – increasingly using services such as Facebook perceived as being for 'young people' - the cultural gap between young and old may diminish.