The younger generation focuses on performance.

The meritocratic principle, widely questioned in the post-1968 era, experienced a renaissance at the turn of the millennium. The feared reluctance to perform among the younger generation did not materialize. On the contrary, 18- to 29-year-olds increasingly demonstrated a desire for achievement (1992: 351,000 participants – 1996: 371,000 participants – 2000: 411,000 participants). This is the finding of a representative survey of 3,000 people aged 14 and over, conducted by the Leisure Research Institute of British American Tobacco, which also asked 18- to 29-year-olds about their attitudes toward achievement and enjoyment of life.

""The meaning of life is being redefined by the younger generation at the beginning of the 21st century," says Prof. Dr. Horst W. Opaschowski, head of the institute: "Life is the joy of creating! The joy of creation describes the optimal level of performance for the younger generation, who want to be neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed in their lives." This new joy of creation encompasses both pleasure and achievement. Two out of five respondents want to "do and achieve something at work" that is meaningful and enjoyable. They want to have a purpose in their lives and want to create and shape something themselves.

The group of youthful hedonists who simply enjoy life and "don't want to exert themselves more than necessary" is shrinking (1992: 29% – 1996: 31% – 2000: 27%). The younger generation is increasingly realizing that there is no enjoyment of life without achievement. Pleasure without effort has become boring for many. On the other hand, it is also true that enjoyment of life no longer automatically distracts from achievement. Professor Opaschowski: "Those who cannot enjoy their lives will not be productive in the long run." Thus, 32 percent of young people today advocate for both: achievement and enjoyment of life. A shift in values toward a new ethic of balance is emerging. For one in three, pleasure and achievement are of equal value.

Young people want to experience work not just as a chore, but also as fun. For them, the enjoyment of their own achievement is just as important as the financial aspect of paid work.

Basic data from the representative survey

Number and representation of respondents in Germany: 3,000 people aged 14 and over
Survey period: January 15th to 28th, 2000

Question:
""Two people are talking about the meaning of life.".

The first one says:
""I want to do and achieve something at work that is meaningful and enjoyable. I need a purpose in my life and want to create and shape something myself.""

The second one says:
""I want to enjoy my life and not exert myself more than necessary. You only live once, and the main thing is to get something out of your life.""

Which of the two do you agree with?"

1. the first one who wants to achieve something
2 the second one, who wants to enjoy life
3 Both are equally important.