Situations That Almost Instantly Got out of Hand

Life is harder today than 40 years ago … and it’s not just the twenty-somethings saying that, their parents agree

• 68 per cent say things are tougher for modern twenty-somethings
• Less job security and sky high house prices among reasons
• 41 per cent of those in their twenties experience regular stress

Raised on rationing and under the spectre of a nuclear war, older generations have loved to grumble about the easy ride enjoyed by youngsters today at one point or another.

But it would seem that despite the improved working conditions, freedom and vast array of ways to splash the cash, life for young people has never been tougher.

A surprising study of 4,000 people across two generations found that not only does the current younger generation think their parents had it easy, the over-50's agree.

Difference: Today's youth are more stressed and want more money than their parents' generation

Free love: Like the Door's Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), baby boomers were able to relax and go their own way

The study, which was commissioned by health retailer Holland Barrett, also revealed 68 per cent of those questioned believe today’s generation are forced to endure more hardship than young people 40 years ago.

Despite the consumer revolution in personal technology, comparatively bigger salaries and better working conditions, those in their twenties say they face a more significant range of threats to happiness and contentment.  

Better job security, comfortable pensions and a clockon, clock off approach to the world of work made life easier 40 years ago, as did a better housing market and the absence of high interest loans and credit cards.

'The results are surprising, and reveal that young men and women in their twenties are planning for the future, investing time and effort in maintaining health and fitness, and fretting over their finances – rather than hedonists living for the day,' said the LSE sociologist, Dr Catherine Hakim. 

'Perhaps this is a response to the current tough economic climate.'

Stress is a huge problem for today's twenty-somethings, with 41 per cent saying they experience regular or constant stress. Just 15 per cent said the same 40 years ago, with half saying they never got stressed at all.

Generation gap: For Goldie Hawn, youth was about babies and having fun. For younger women like daughter, Kate, eating healthily is important but not marriage

Money worries, being overworked and concerns about their body image were the most prevalent concerns for those in their twenties, but didn't chime with older respondents, who, in general, were far more content with their body shape and image in their youth.

As a result, the average twenty-something is also twice as likely to want to 'make a lot of money quickly' than the older generation did when they were that age.

Hakim added: 'Young men and women are also vastly more materialistic than were their parents’ generation. 

'Having money has become a life goal in itself, as a high standard of living becomes taken for granted.'

'Overall, it’s clear the route to happiness and contentment has changed over a generation to become more aspirational and more individualistic.'

There were some similarities between those in their twenties and those in their fifties however. Both generations aspired to finding a partner and having a long term relationship in their twenties.

Paired off or not, having children has been pushed back by those in their twenties, with most agreeing that the ideal time to have a baby is at 29, compared with 27 in 1970.

Marriage too has declined with less than half of today’s youth considering it important compared to the 54 per cent of over 50’s who placed faith in it when in their twenties.

Materialistic: While 27-year-olds such as Max Irons (left) want to make money fast, their fathers (right) weren't so interested

People had better relationships with the neighbours also in years gone by – one in four over fifties as fond memories of visiting a neighbour’s home and being on very good terms with the people next door while just 7 per cent of today's twenty-somethings can claim the same thing.
Surprisingly, alcohol consumption remains fairly similar but naturally people were far heavier smokers in the older generation – just a fifth of the modern generation smoked compared to over half of people forty years ago. The average smoker back then smoked 15 a day, while those today get through nine.

'We commissioned the Good Life Report to better understand what the challenges and pressures really are for today’s younger generation,' saidLysa Hardy, Chief Marketing Officer for Holland and Barrett.

'In a world where we’re constantly rushing around and connected 24/4, we found people now have to make more of a concerted effort to keep fit and healthy, often fitting it around their busy lifestyle at the expense of having fun and seeing friends and family.

'The idea of what makes up a good life has also changed over a generation, and we’ve noticed a trend for many younger people to take an interest in health and looking after themselves.

'The common view is young people live for today – yet the report shows quite the opposite. 

'Today’s younger generation are looking ahead, investing in their health, saving, and making smart choices about healthy eating and exercise.'

THE 20-SOMETHING ( The Y Generation)

Sophie Hall, 23, is a health promoter from Sussex and the daughter of Julie 

Life Priorities:

• Getting on the property ladder

• Getting promoted at work

• Having a healthy body, keeping fit

Happiness:

• She often experiences periods of worry and stress in a typical week due to her work

Approach to life:

• She lives and plans for the future

Diet:

• Occasionally takes vitamins 

• Eats lots of fruit and vegetables 

• Never grows her own fruit and vegetables

• Would rather pay more for healthy food 

THE BABY BOOMER (The X generation)

Julie Hall, 57, manager of an opera house and mother of Sophie (left) from Sussex

Life Priorities in her 20s

• Having a family

• Having fun

• Getting promoted at work

Happiness in her 20s:

• Led a carefree life in her 20s with few periods of stress

Approach to life in her 20s:

• Lived for the moment, but also started a family early (married at 23, first baby at 26). 

Diet habits when she was 20s:

• Never took vitamins 

• Rarely got her five a day

• Always grew her own vegetables

• Lots of parties

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