Baby Boomers aren’t as generous as younger generations: Report

Millennials may have gained themselves somewhat of a bad name in past with many labelling them lazy and rude, but new research has revealed they are far more likely to lend a hand to those in need than the older generations.

A study undertaken by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has found those aged between 25 to 34 are much more generous than Baby Boomers, with most volunteering their time to worthy causes and digging into their pockets to provide financial support.

Perhaps surprisingly a whopping 74 per cent of Millennials across the country made a donation in the last year, while 35 per cent have volunteered over that time period. Even those aged between 18 and 24 were recorded as being more giving than boomers with 47 per cent claiming to have volunteered over the last year, compared to 28 per cent of those aged 55 and over.

The results were deemed good news for charities throughout Australia with CAF Global Alliance Director of International Michael Mapstone claiming younger Aussies are more willing to make a difference to other’s lives.

“We see this as a really exciting opportunity for growth as we continue to deliver against our mission of creating a more giving society,” he explained in the Australia Giving 2019 report. “The need for connection and purpose continues to be a key theme throughout this research and other research activities we’ve been a part of.”

He added: “Caring about the cause is the most common reason given by donors as to why they give, reinforcing the need to connect to causes that matter.”

Overall, Australians are most likely to give their time to support children, religious organisations, supporting homeless people, helping the poor and supporting those with a disability.

Read more: Social media is to blame for Millennials ‘lazy work ethic’, claims Aussie CEO

Whereas, supporting schools, improving access to education for vulnerable young people, anti-corruption initiatives, supporting scientific research and youth causes are the least likely to have been supported through volunteering.

The report also found Aussies choose to support a charity or organisation if they care about the cause. Others claim they just want to help someone less fortunate than them, while some chose to help out simply so they can make a difference.

As for encouraging others to help out where they can, Mapstone said it generally comes down to how much money a person earns, with 47 per cent of people involved in the survey claiming if their salary was higher they’d be more generous.

The recent survey results follow controversial comments from an Australian CEO earlier this year who slammed the work ethic of Millennial employees, claiming that the desire to earn a living through posting photos on social media sites such as Instagram has given young workers an “inflated view of their self importance”.

In an interview with News.com.au, Muffin Break general manager Natalie Brennan slammed Millennials, claiming they no longer see the value in gaining work experience through an internship, blaming social media for their severe lack of passion.

Discussing the current work environment, the general manager said she barely ever has young university students and graduates knocking on her door looking to gain experience through internships and unpaid work with only one person approaching her in the last six or so years.

Brennan told the publication every single person who has in the past taken on an internship with her has ended up with a job but Millennials are just not willing to take that step.

“I think everybody thinks social media is going to get them ahead somewhere,” she explained. “There’s definitely that inflated view of their self-importance because they have X amount of Instagram followers or this many likes. That’s dangerous.”

Do you agree or disagree with the survey results? Do you volunteer or donate money to a cause?