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Lifestyle Facts

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HAPPINESS
  • Just a third (34%) of adults in this country say they're very happy,according to the latest Pew Research Center survey. Another half say they are pretty happy and 15% consider themselves not too happy. These numbers have remained very stable for a very long time. (Pew Research Center)

  • Much of the research into the field of happiness -- to say nothing of
    simple common sense - suggests that at the level of the individual,
    happiness is heavily influenced by life events (Did you get the big
    promotion? Have a fight with your boyfriend?) as well as by
    psychological traits (self-esteem, optimism, a sense of belonging, the capacity to love, etc.). The Pew survey did not look at life events or psychological characteristics. We only looked at happiness by demographic and behavioral traits. But through this admittedly limited prism, we found some fascinating correlations. Several of them stand out: Married people are happier than unmarrieds. People who worship frequently are happier than those who don't. Republicans are happier than Democrats. Rich people are happier than poor people. Whites and Hispanics are happier than Blacks. Sunbelt residents are happier than those who live in the rest of the country.

    We also found some interesting non-correlations. People who have children are no happier than those who don't, after controlling for marital status. Retirees are no happier than workers. Pet owners are no happier than those without pets. (Pew Research Center)


GEN X/GEN Y FACTS

  • 82% of Gen21 value doing enjoyable things and going to interesting places more than having prized possessions. (Source: DYG)

  • 72% of Gen 21 would rather spend money on having experiences than things. (Source: DYG)

  • 94% of the entire population feels it is important to feel self sufficient. A strong trend is toward the individualization of the American Dream. (Source: DYG)

  • The % of women unwilling to compromise between work and home has grown 25% over the last 15 years to nearly 60%. (Source: DYG)

  • 73% of GenXers say they favor a return to more traditional standards and family life. (Source: Yankelovich Survey)

  • Gen Y is far more socially conscious than any generation since World War II. They believe in giving, participation in non-profits and donation of time and resources. 91% of today's teenagers value companies and products that support good causes. 89% of teens say they would likely switch brands to one associated with a good cause. (Source: John Burnett, Professor of Marketing, University of Denver)

  • 39 % of Gen Y attend racially integrated schools and 33% have a friend from a different racial, ethnic group. They are more comfortable with diversity. (Source: Society for Human Resource Management WOrkplace Visions, Trends of Gen Y, 1977-1997)

  • 75% of Gen Y have working moms. 25% live with one parent. (Source: Society for Human Resource Management WOrkplace Visions, Trends of Gen Y, 1977-1997)