Stereotypes About Generational Fun and Happiness vs. Self- Appraised Fun and Happiness

Abstract

Of the generations (young adults, middle-aged, old), which is believed to be the happiest? How do they compare in self-reported happiness? A survey of 317 adults, equally distributed between the three generations, showed that the middle-aged were most frequently considered to be the happiest, young adults to have the most opportunities for happiness and fun and the greatest desire for fun, and the old the least. The generations did not differ in self-reported happiness and opportunities for fun and happiness, although young adults claimed to possess a greater desire for fun and happiness than the others.