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McCarthy & Stone / Populus Viewpoint 60+ Results, March 2011

Populus received 446 responses from members of the Viewpoint 60+ panel, all aged 60 and over, to its online poll for McCarthy & Stone between 4th and 18th March 2011.

Populus is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules, for more information see www.populus.co.uk.

Anti-social Behaviour Nine-in-ten (91%) of the Viewpoint 60+ members surveyed regarded anti-social behaviour as more prevalent in the UK today than in their youth.

The “breakdown of traditional family structures” and “poor parenting” were seen as the two biggest causes of Britain’s anti-social behaviour problem (34% and 23% respectively.)

The re-introduction of national service was seen as the best remedy to anti-social behaviour, with 40% of those surveyed saying this would “have a real impact” on anti-social behaviour. The same percentage called for tougher punishments for offenders (40%) and over a third (36%) wanted to see better facilities for younger people.

Britain Today and in the Past Just 30% of respondents believed older people aged 60+ were sufficiently valued by society today (valued a great deal: 3%, value somewhat: 27%). More than one-in-five (22%) did not feel older people were valued at all.

The majority (70%) of Viewpoint 60+ respondents believed that for young people growing up today that life was more difficult than in their youth. Just 15% of respondents believed that their youth was more difficult than that of young people today.

Almost all - 98% - of those interviewed believed that young people were more likely to get into debt than they had been due to “the availability of credit and attitude towards debt”. The role of women was thought to have changed significantly in Britain.

90% believed women had more opportunities today than in the past, but many respondents (84%) thought too that women were under greater pressure.

Almost three quarters (73%) of respondents described themselves as having more hobbies and interests than their parents did at their age, and 70% described themselves being in better health. More than two thirds described themselves as both more physically active than their parents at their age and as more financially secure (68% in both cases).  Benefits While 40% of respondents had reviewed which benefits they were able to claim in the last year, the same percentage had not done so for at least 5 years.

46% of Viewpoint 60+ respondents believed there was a stigma attached to claiming benefits and 40% believed this, at least in part, explained why not all over 60s claimed all the benefits they were entitled to.

Respondents did not regard claiming benefits as an easy process: just 34% said it was easy to find out which benefits they were entitled to, just 28% said getting information on benefits was easy, and just 13% thought applying for benefits was simple to do. Lack of awareness about benefits (80%), complex application forms (65%) and complex systems (62%) were all seen as blocks to over 60s claiming benefits.

Viewpoint 60+ members were strongly in favour of age differentiation in benefits (91% said it was right that some benefits were only available to older people) and generally against means testing (just 36% supported mean testing benefits like winter fuel payments and bus passes).

Across all 9 areas tested, Viewpoint 60+ respondents regarded society as worse today than in the past. 93% believed the quality of parenting and discipline for children had declined, 85% said that elders were not less well-respected, and 81% noted a decline in the “make do and mend attitude”.

Home skills, like DIY and sewing, were the most missed aspect of youth for Viewpoint 60+ members and this was chosen by 39% of respondents. Asked about lost traditions, “playing outside all day” (87%), eating family meals together (74%) and shopping in local specialist stores (66%) were seen as the most significant lost traditions.

Three quarters, of respondents to an online only survey, regarded the rise of social media and digital communications as helping relationships and staying in touch with love ones. Just 10% believed social media and digital technology had hindered such relationships.

For a PDF of the results please click here