Doing it tough in Generation X
This year’s Eye suggests that it’s Generation X who are struggling with life in Australia today. They place more importance on appearance but their self-image is poor: they rate themselves an average of 4.9 out of ten when it comes to looks. They are more likely to want to be thinner, to worry about their families and to live from week to week when it comes to finances – 57% as against a total average of 49%.
Baby Boomers seem focused on maintaining the status quo. They’re more worried than Australians as a whole about having enough money for retirement, the environment and the loss of a sense of community. The traditional Pre-Baby Boomers continue to fret about wider social issues like rising crime rates (of concern to 48% of this group), and the threat of terror (25% concerned). 39% are worried about immigration in an increasingly alien world.
Generation Y is trying to get on with things. They’re more concerned than the average Aussie about their finances (52% vs 45%) and more likely to seek advice from others on financial questions. Their reputation for restlessness may be well deserved, with 56% on the lookout for a better job. They need a better job to get into that first home: 55% are worried about home affordability, compared to 44% of the general population.