New Year’s Resolutions
Across the Generations
You may think all New Year’s resolutions are about the same: lose weight, exercise more, quit smoking, yada yada yada. And you’d be right.
What IS different, however, is the age group of the people making them.
According to the data analytics firm YouGov, for instance, resolutions of millennials are very different from those of Generation Xers. Here’s what the statistics show about the most common resolutions for each generational group:
Baby Boom Generation
More than anyone else, baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) want to lose weight and exercise (both rated 53%). They’re also less concerned with saving money (39%) than any of the other generations.
Generation Z
Generation Zers (teenagers and young adults) are resolved to finding true love (or at least getting a date). In fact, they’re four times more concerned about that (42%) than any other age group. And to help achieve their goal, Gen Zers also resolve to dress better (46%), and stop drinking alcohol (17%).
Generation X
On the other hand, Gen Xers (they’re the ones between boomers and millennials) have virtually no interest in finding a romantic partner (3%), or becoming more stylish (6%).
They’d rather focus on saving money (54%) and sticking to a budget (34%).
Silent Generation
Perhaps not surprisingly, the Silent Generation (born 1928 to 1945) rates spiritual growth (38%) and improving relationships (35%) as top priorities for their resolutions. Saving money and consuming less alcohol are non-issues for them.
Millennials
Also known as Generation Y, millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) are the most concerned with getting a work promotion or raise (16%). (Only 5% of Gen Xers think this is important). Millennials are also the most confident that they’ll keep all their resolutions (39%). Compare this will a full 60% of baby boomers who are only “somewhat confident” that they’ll be able to do so.
Everything Old Is New Again
Regardless of generation, New Year’s resolutions themselves hardly ever change. From year to year and age to age, most of us still just want to be healthy, happy, and perhaps a bit more frugal. In other words, to be sensible, satisfied adults.
Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
YouGov