Intergenerational Differences in Values and Volunteer Activity in Young and Senior Volunteers

Abstract

The article describes and compares the values and preferences of volunteer activities in young and senior-age volunteers, i.e., Generation Z and Baby Boomers. It also contains a review of theoretical approaches to understanding the characteristics and values of different generations. The empirical study took place in 2022 and relied on the method of content analysis. It involved volunteers in the media (n=20, 10 – young volunteers, 10 – senior citizens). The study covered 260 empirical indicators of various categories: 152 by the type of values of volunteerism and 108 by the preferred types of volunteer activity. For the younger generation, volunteering depended on the values of the well-being of other people. The value of an active, emotional, and eventful life was equally important for both groups but slightly more so for the Baby Boomers. The values of life wisdom, maturity of judgment, and common sense achieved by life experience were highly significant for the representatives of the older generation. Only volunteering in the field of culture showed significant group differences.

Keywords

• volunteering
• young volunteers
• generation
• generation z
• baby-boom generation
• senior volunteers
• values