YOUTH 2020 - The position of young people in Slovenia

Young people, family, and intergenerational mindsets  271 However, young people’s empathy also has its limits. The agreement with the statement that current generations should balance their demands in favour of the generations yet unborn is somewhat lower and also indi- cates a certain degree of self-protection and, of course, the effect of the so-called delayed gratification, which is typical for issues related to sus- tainable development. Something very distant and abstract, such as gen- erations yet unborn, makes it difficult for people to act towards some- thing that will have tangible effects only after their death. However, one cannot ignore the still quite high level of agreement with the argument of rebalancing or restraining welfare in favour of future generations, which creates a good foundation for a more socially responsible and sustainable society in the future. Figure 7.14: Balancing the demands of current generations for the benefit of generations yet unborn. 15% 20% 10% 5% 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 8 Strongly disagree Strongly agree 2.8 1.5 4.2 5.0 7.9 13.7 14.9 15.7 14.2 5.7 7.8 0% Source: Mladina 2020. Based on the examined, it could be said that young people do not fall for the discourse of inevitable intergenerational conflict, and that they demonstrate values and attitudes that are in favour of intergenerational solidarity and dialogue between young and older people. Despite their limited contact with representatives of other age groups, which is a con- sequence of the institutionalisation of old age in modern welfare socie- ties, young people also have a clear understanding of the contribution