Happiness in the Netherlands and Japan since the 1980s Trends from a generational perspective

Henk VinkenTilburg University

Tilburg, the Netherlands2005 : Visitor Komazawa University

Tokyo, Japan

Rapidly changing societies

Distinct generations

Different perceptions / competences vis-a-vis quality of life, including happiness ?

Outline

Key issue and labels of generations

Data from WVS/EVS 1981 – 1999/2000

Relative impact analysis

Happy new breed ultramen in NL and J

Key issue and labels of generations:

Recognition common histories & destinies or

the recognized persisting impact of formative experiences

Less and more serious generation labels in NL and J

often directed towards youngest whose members have deficiency;

labels alternate at high speed: reflect reality?

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

ultraman

silent protest lost pragmatic

young seniors

baby boomers

prewar

new breed

2nd baby boom

1955

Serious generation labels in NL and J

nl

j

security, sobriety, law & order

frugality, improvement qol

self-realization / -expression, democratizationhybridity in styles & values ?

no future, no nonsense, hedonism

live for self, identify with style & values, seek new experiences

no generation, future worries

hedonism, persist in lifestyles,resist old values

work to life (not vv), combine styles & cultures

Data and analysis

Longitudinal data WVS/EVS surveysaimed at values, includes qol-indicators

waves 1981, 1990, 1999/2000; NL-J

“Does respondent feel happy?”(here reversed from 1=not at all to 4 very)

Simple trend analysis (ANOVA)

APC-analysis (Logistic regression)

APC=Age Period Cohortneeded to identify generation or cohort effects

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

ultraman

silent protest lost pragmatic

young seniors

baby boomers

prewar

new breed

2nd baby boom

1955

4 Generations in WVS/EVS-data

nl

j

security, sobriety, law & order

frugality, improvement qol

self-realization / -expression, democratizationhybridity in styles & values ?

no future, no nonsense, hedonism

live for self, identify with style & values, seek new experiences

no generation, future worries

hedonism, persist in lifestyles,resist old values

work to life (not vv), combine styles & cultures

WAR BOOM2BUSTBOOM

means 81 90 99/00

nl

WAR

BOOM

BUST

BOOM2

3,24

3,22

3,31

3,17

3,38

3,29

3,37

3,48

3,35

3,40

3,29

3,33

3,49

3,48

j

WAR

BOOM

BUST

BOOM2

2,74

2,75

2,79

2,68

2,81

2,77

2,89

2,81

2,53

3,08

3,12

3,06

3,11

2,98

eta2 nl-j

WAR

BOOM

BUST

BOOM2

0,08

0,08

0,09

0,06

0,11

0,09

0.09

0,15

0,16

0,05

0,01

0,03

0,07

0,08

This means ?

nl end 80s high; j end 90s: convergence

especially comparing end 90s to early 90s

Most nl generations more happy

90s: J rise strongest -> undistinct NL-J WAR generation

90s: nl generations experience hold/back fall

at turn millennium NL and J BOOM2 rise in happiness

aging/life course i.s.o. generation effect ?

Happiness 81-90 81-99/00 90-99/00

japanese 0,32 0,46 0,37

japanesefemalehigh educatedemployed

0,321,300,930,54

0,471,461,161,01

0,371,401,071,00

japanesefemalehigh educatedemployed9099/00

0,321,280,930,941,48

0,431,461,030,92

1,84

0,371,411,060,99

1,29

japanesefemalehigh educatedemployed9099/00BOOMBUSTBOOM2

0,321,250,890,891,49

1,181,24

0,441,451,010,94

1,851,031,11

0,371,360,990,93

1,251,001,431,22

This means or to conclude ?

When looking at happiness trends important to look at generations

we have to take into account :

• country-level characteristics (distinct NL-J; I/C?)

• individual level diversity (gender)

• historic events at fixed times (period effect: bubble early 90s); and

• meso-level phenomenon, that is : generational belonging due to similar formative experiences

Vanguard of happiness: lost new breed ultramen generation !

because of specific characteristic : hedonism ?