The perceptions of individuals from X and Y generations on social welfare

There is no doubt that the changes and transformations being witnessed in every field of the life have an impact on distinctive features of people, their expectations, perspectives, perceptions, and priorities. Changes bring some difficulties for every individual in adapting to them. Despite the fact that adaptation is a natural process, it shows difference for the individuals who keeps their previous habits and for those who are born inside a new life in case of drastic changes that affect the life of people directly. That's why the term intergenerational difference emerges. It is observed that the conditions and ages into which individuals are born are more affective on their characteristics than their family and the environment in which they grow up. As showed by the studies of Strauss and Howe carried out in 1990s on the intergenerational differences in USA, the individuals born in certain decades have different attitudes and opinions about various issues. Fast technological advances, quick dissemination of news all over the world, and drastic economic changes within the recent years have caused the people to attain various new attitudes regarding their life styles and perceptions. Given the fact that the youngest Z Generation individuals are not adults yet and unable to express themselves correctly due to their ages, this study is about the perceptions of individuals from X and Y Generations on social welfare, who are the largest groups in terms of population both in the world and Turkey. By this study, the term social welfare, emerged from the term well-being that can be defined as happiness and comfort of individual, is studied out of the perceptions of the given generations regarding education, health, social services, access to technology, consumption habits, social relations as well as social processes that include distribution of sources, job, and wealth attainment. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are used, including an in-depth interview and a sample form. The findings show differentiation in the perception of welfare by the joining of the individuals from Y Generation to education and employment processes. Similarly, it is determined that individuals from X and Y Generations differentiate from each other regarding especially life pleasure and satisfaction. While X Generation perceive welfare as not to make any concession from the present level, Y Generation perceive it as progress and improvement.