Those with more time at their disposal are more concerned with the wellbeing of future generations
According to the study, fluctuations in how we experience time have an impact on how the generations interact, irrespective of age.
People with more time on their hands are more concerned with the wellbeing of future generations This is the conclusion reached by a new study conducted at FAU. According to the study, fluctuations in how we experience time have an impact on how the generations interact, irrespective of age.
Most people are keen to ensure the continued welfare of future generations. This care is expressed by becoming involved in voluntary work, leading an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, or passing our knowledge down to younger people.
Until now, there has been plenty of evidence indicating that middle-aged and older adults are more committed to ensuring the continued wellbeing of future generations than young people. A new study conducted by the Institute of Psychogerontology at FAU has now proven that this correlation depends less on a person’s age and more on how they experience the time available to them. This aspect surprised Helena Hösch from the Institute of Psychogerontology at FAU: “Until now, we have tended to expect the older generations to demonstrate more interest in ensuring the wellbeing of future generations. However, our study has now proven that all age groups share this concern, and that it depends on people’s perspective on time.”
More than 500 people between the ages of 18 and 88 were repeatedly questioned on various topics over a six year period. The questions focused on changes in their perspective of time and to what extent they were concerned with ensuring the wellbeing of future generations. The result: On days when we seem to have more time in life, we are also more concerned with the wellbeing of other people than on days when we feel we have less time on our hands. There is no difference between young adults and older adults.
Major factors influencing our attitude appear to be our own feeling of being needed by other people and the feeling that we are capable of keeping up with changes in society. People who feel overwhelmed or excluded by the fast pace of daily life appeared less willing to make an effort to help future generations. Living together responsibly and caring for others in society relies less on age and more on our attitude towards our own future. This attitude towards our own future is also affected by our personal stance towards advances in technology and society.
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Helena Hösch