The report study – Understanding fairness between different generations in times of COVID-19 - was led by , Principal Research Fellow in the School of Applied Social Science. It was carried out under the auspices of the Care, Health and Emotional Well-being Research and Enterprise Group.
The study surveyed perceptions and understandings among older and younger generations regarding inter-generational differences – as well as shared concerns - within the context of the coronavirus pandemic, exploring potential areas of tensions such as the need to protect older people versus ensuring an economic future for younger people.
The perception that the needs of one social group outweigh the needs of another puts a spotlight on broader existing debates about intergenerational divides, sometimes presented starkly as older people enjoying long-standing privileges and benefits, while younger people face hardships and uncertainty beyond their control.