Millennials may be performing more good deeds than older generations, according to a new survey in the United States.
Although they have a reputation for being entitled, millennials reported doing 339 “good deeds” a month, compared to 208 good deeds for those age 38 and older.
Anything from sending an encouraging text to picking up litter, shopping at small businesses or being a shoulder to cry on, the study tallied positive deeds big and small, and uncovered a lot we have in common.
The survey of 2,000 Americans – 1,000 millennials and 1,000 aged 38 and older – examined where people think they do ‘good deeds’ in their daily life and looked at the commonalities and differences among generations.
Both millennials and older people are logging many good deeds related to being environmentally friendly. Results showed that millennials are more likely to try and be environmentally conscious, but only by a small margin—83 percent vs. 77 percent.
In fact, three-quarters of respondents agreed that they have become more environmentally friendly in the past five years. Avoiding plastic straws was one of the top eco-strategies for older generations, but not for millennials. Recycling also ranked as the most common good deed for those ages 38 and above, compared to millennials who ranked it #9.
“Paradoxically, the ability to make big change comes through small acts,” said Kamie Kennedy, from the organic clothing company Pact, which commissioned the OnePoll study. “When a consumer chooses the eco-friendly option, the manufacturers of those products can aggregate all of that consumer preference and force real change in industries, labor practices and health standards.”
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Results found that millennials are much more value-driven when it comes to shopping—and they work to avoid businesses that support things they don’t agree with (68 percent vs. 46 percent). Interestingly, but not surprising, millennials are much more likely to agree that the little things they do to improve the world every day cancel out their bad habits (55 percent vs. 30 percent).
Take a look at the commonalities below. We’ve highlighted the good deeds that stand out as unique to that particular generation’s Top 18 good deeds.
MOST COMMON “GOOD DEEDS” FOR MILLENNIALS
- Sending a kind text
- Giving a compliment
- Smiling at a stranger
- Holding the door open for someone
- Being a shoulder to cry on
- Shopping at small businesses
- Help someone with tech issues
- Picking up litter
- Recycling
- Leave a positive review online
- Visiting elderly relatives
- Donating clothes to charity
- Lending someone a phone charger
- Giving a dollar to charity when checking out while shopping
- Giving money to the homeless
- Give directions when someone is looking at a map
- Buy organically-sourced food
- Volunteering for a charity
MOST COMMON “GOOD DEEDS” FOR OLDER AMERICANS
- Recycling
- Smiling at a stranger
- Giving a compliment
- Holding the door open for someone
- Sending a kind text
- Being a shoulder to cry on
- Picking up litter
- Shopping at small businesses
- Giving a dollar to charity when checking out while shopping
- Donating clothes to charity
- Visiting elderly relatives
- Buy organically-sourced food
- Help someone with tech issues
- Give directions when someone is looking at a map
- Avoiding plastic straws
- Giving up your seat on the train/bus
- Giving money to the homeless
- Volunteering for a charity
Obviously, Americans of any age have a lot in common when it comes to ‘doing good’. Maybe these lists will give you ideas about how to brighten your world—and improve the planet— this month.
Inspire Your Friends, Young And Old, By Sharing This To Social Media – Photo by Honza Soukup, CC license