1. Happiness in the Netherlands and Japan since the 1980s Trends from a generational perspective Henk Vinken Tilburg University Tilburg, the Netherlands 2005 : Visitor Komazawa University Tokyo, Japan

2. Rapidly changing societies Distinct generations Different perceptions / competences vis-a-vis quality of life, including happiness ?

3. 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

4. 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?

5. 1930 1940 19501960 1970 ultraman silentprotestlostpragmatic 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, democratization hybridity 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

6. Data and analysis Longitudinal data WVS/EVS surveys aimed 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 Cohort needed to identify generation or cohort effects

7. 1930 1940 19501960 1970 ultraman silentprotestlostpragmatic 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, democratization hybridity 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 WARBOOM2BUSTBOOM

8. means819099/00 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 eta 2 nl-j WAR BOOM BUST BOOM2 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

9. 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 ?

10. Happiness81-9081-99/0090-99/00 japanese0,320,460,37 japanese female high educated employed 0,32 1,30 0,93 0,54 0,47 1,46 1,16 1,01 0,37 1,40 1,07 1,00 japanese female high educated employed 90 99/00 0,32 1,28 0,93 0,94 1,48 0,43 1,46 1,03 0,92 1,84 0,37 1,41 1,06 0,99 1,29 japanese female high educated employed 90 99/00 BOOM BUST BOOM2 0,32 1,25 0,89 0,89 1,49 1,18 1,24 0,44 1,45 1,01 0,94 1,85 1,03 1,11 0,37 1,36 0,99 0,93 1,25 1,00 1,43 1,22

11. 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 ?