Discriminatory Practices

First Globals™ are the most likely of any generation to believe that employers who discriminate in employee hiring will be punished by the market, with 34.1% of First Globals strongly or somewhat agreeing with the above statement. The percentages of those agreeing with this statement declines as the age group increases, with only 23.7% of those over 65 strongly or somewhat agreeing that employers who discriminate in employee hiring will be punished by the market.

Why do you think young people have more confidence that the market will punish discriminatory employees? Do you agree with those who believe this is true? And if it is true, would it mean that affirmative action in hiring employees is unnecessary because the market would punish a discriminatory firm?

Show Me the Money

How do rich people become rich? First Globals are the most likely of any generation to believe that rich people were born wealthy. Nearly two thirds (63.3%) of First Globals strongly or somewhat agree that “in the USA, more often than not, rich people were born rich.” By contrast, only 34.9% of those over 65 feel the same way, with other generations falling in the middle.

Economic mobility – the ability to go from poor to rich within one’s lifetime – is often held up as one of the ideals of the U.S. as well as one of the things that (supposedly) makes us different from other countries. But it seems that First Globals are less likely to believe that economic mobility is the primary reason why rich people are rich. Why might that be? And how do you think most wealthy people come by their money?

Kicking the Bucket

Do you believe death is a grim experience? If you do, you’re not alone. First Globals are the most likely to believe that death is a grim experience, with 51.5% of First Globals strongly or somewhat agreeing with this statement. But surprisingly, only 34.9% of those over 65 strongly or somewhat agreed that death is a grim experience. Other generations fall in between First Globals and those over 65.

Given that people over 65 are likely to be closer to their own death than younger people, why are younger people more likely to say death is a grim experience? Do you think people become more accepting and less scared of death as they grow older?

Poor Criminals

Of all age groups, First Globals™ are most likely to agree that poverty causes crime -- 79.1 % of First Globals™ strongly or somewhat agree that poverty causes crime, the highest percentage of any age group. Those over 65 were the least likely to believe that poverty causes crime, with only 64.7% of this age group agreeing.

The relationship between poverty and crime is constantly debated and is unlikely to be definitively settled any time soon. What do you think are the main causes of crime? And why do you think First Globals™ are more likely to agree that poverty causes crime?

It’s getting better all the time

First Globals™ are the age-group most likely to agree that “overall, the standard of living is better today than it was 30 years ago.” Overall, 76% of First Globals™ agree with this description, compared to 59% of Nikes, 61% of Woodstocks and 68% of Privates. Thus, a generation most likely to agree with First Globals™ on whether things are better now is the generation most removed from them in terms of age.

What do you believe accounts for this view of First Globals™ ? Do they under-estimated the standards of living from the age when they were not even born? Or are those older than them looking at their younger pasts through rosy-colored glasses? Do you believe that the overall standard of living is better today than it was 30 years ago?

A Subtle View

First Globals™ are the group most likely to agree that “when considering most conflict situations, I can usually see how both sides can be right.” Only 15% of First Globals™ disagreed with this statements, compared to 27% Nikes, 27% Woodstocks and 25% Privates.

Do you believe that First Globals™ are in fact more likely to appreciate differing point of view? If you do, what is it this generation that would make them capable of it?

United Nations

When presented with two statements about the function of the United Nations, “the United Nations has been reduced in its influence and is less relevant today in global matters,” and “the United Nations is needed now more than ever to represent a global perspective on issues that arise,” First Globals™ are the most likely of any generation to agree with the second statement and the least likely of any generation to agree with the first statement. Among First Globals™, 57.4% agree that “the United Nations is needed now more than ever,” compared to 33% of the combined remaining generations. And 34.1% of First Globals™ agree that the “United Nations has been reduced in influence and is less relevant,” compared to about 55% of remaining generations.

Do you think as First Globals™ grow older and move into the workforce (including the government), their belief that the UN is needed will remain? Do you think we will see the United Nations play a more active role in managing global conflicts and dealing with global issues in the future? Do you agree with the First Globals™ and others who say that the United Nations is needed now more than ever?