Are Baby Boomers letting down Millennials?

Are Millennials’ expectations too high?

Does inter-generational fairness matter and if so what do we need to do to create it?

Background

2018 saw the final report by an Intergenerational Commission, convened by a think tank called the Resolution Foundation, in order “to explore the questions of intergenerational fairness that are currently rising up the agenda.”

Reactions to the Commissions were mixed. Some welcomed it: others thought that there were many more issues that are more important. Our discussion kit on inter-generational fairness gives any group a chance to decide for itself. It gives you a chance to review the facts. You can also explore the main issues. Is there a contract between generations, implicit or explicit? Should rising living standards be part of such a contract? Do older generations have too much political power? If so, should we tackle that, or is it simply up to younger people to go out and vote? Do you agree with Barack Obama when he said, “We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations”.

This is a trial kit, so we are keen for people to try it out and tell us what they think, so that we can improve it before we roll it out.

Holding an Event

This kit is designed for you to run a stimulating discussion in a small group of up to 6 people in a couple of hours. You will be able to order a set of cards for free, and download the rest of the material too. In return for providing this kit for free, we ask that you spend about 20 minutes after the event giving us feedback on how the event went, and telling us the key points you decided here.

You can also organise larger conversations by grouping people around tables, or in circles, of up to 6 – with each table having their own kit. We will help you put on events like this, and support you whilst you are organising and promoting it.

To order kits, or get in touch about any other aspect of this topic, use our Tell Us What You Need page.

You and your friends will gain much from joining in this discussion. They will learn more about the complexities of the situation and have oppotunities to listen, to question and be questioned themselves. Research shows that by talking about issues, participants not only increase their understanding, but also reinforce their memory of the issues.

We thank Angus Hanton of the Intergenerational Foundation and Fahmida Rahman of the Resolution Foundation for their contributions.