A CROSS-GENERATIONAL AND GENDER COMPARISON OF VALUE PRIORITIES OF ADULTS LIVING IN THE US

The inpact of age and gender on value priorities is an area which has not been sufficiently explored by researchers. As people age, societie s change, and sociocultural role expectations change, these interactiv e effects are likely to lead to a reevaluation of value systems. The p urpose of the present study was to evaluate the value priorities of me n and women of different age groups. The results of this study indicat e that in general, younger adults considered the more ''self-centered' ' personal values as more important than other age groups, whereas tho se over the age of 65 considered wisdom, security, freedom, and salvat ion as more important. Women were found to place more importance than men on values such as equality, peace, and self-respect, which are les s ''individualistically'' oriented. Results are discussed in relation to age and gender socialization and role expectations.