Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS

A new study has found that today’s 14 and 15 year-olds are the most socially conservative generation since World War II.

The Daily Mail is reporting on the study, conducted by British researchers and based on interviews with over 2,000 people, which found that children born since the year 2000 are much less sympathetic toward same-sex marriage, transgender rights, the legalization of pot, and even tattoos.

Interviewees ranged in age from those born since 2000 (Generation Z), those born between 1980 and 2000 (Millennials), those born between 1965 and 1980 (Generation X), those born between 1946 and 1964 (Baby Boomers) and those born before 1946 (the Silent Generation.)

Each group was asked how “conservative” or “liberal” they were on issues such as same-sex marriage, transgender rights and the legalization of marijuana.

According to the report, which was published in The Times, 59 percent of Generation Z respondents said they leaned toward the conservative end of the spectrum. Only the Silent Generation was more conservative than this group.

By comparison, 83 percent of Millennials and 85 percent of Generation X respondents described themselves as “quite liberal” or “very liberal” in their views.

The Mail also reports that Generation Z youngsters, who grew up during the 2008 financial crash, are much more fiscally conservative with their money. A quarter of respondents said they preferred to save money rather than spending cash they didn’t have. By comparison, Baby Boomers said that “money is made to be spent.”

Once again, the Silent Generation is only demographic who was found to be more fiscally conservative than Generation Z.

It’s also interesting to note that members of Generation Z are not big fans of tattoos. Ten percent of these young teens said they didn’t like them compared to only two percent of Millennials and six percent of Generation X.

The findings from this study parallels evidence from other research which found that Generation Z are less likely to drink and take drugs than Millennials.

Commenting on this particular finding, Sir Mark Walport, the government chief scientific adviser, told The Times that technology was having a big effect on teen values.

The prevalence of computer games and internet use meant they had “less time and opportunity to participate in traditional risky behaviors,” he said.

There's hope for the future after all!

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