当许多国人对80后，90后这些新生代的很多思想、举止表示不解的时候，彼岸的美国关于代沟的调查也出炉。

    《纽约日报网站》6月29日刊载Denis Chow的文章Survey shows widest generation gap among American children and their parents（《调查显示美国出现40年来最深的代沟想象》），摘要如下（英语原文附后）：

    本周一美国的Pew Research Center公布一项最新的全美调查发现，美国年轻人所持的政治态度、社会价值观、道德观、宗教等观念和他们的老一代的差异日渐突显，出现了40年来最深的代沟现象。 该机构是独立的大众观点调查机构。 

    该调查显示，约八成美国人相信年轻人和中老年人之间看法有重要分歧。这是自1969年以来的最高比例；40年前，只有74%的人认为新老两代在许多认识上存在巨大代沟，十年后这一比例一度缩小为六成。

    报告说，自从去年11月美国总统选举以来，因为年龄差异而出现的观点分歧进一步扩大。去年大选中，十八到二十九岁的年轻人有三分之二将选票投给欧巴马。这项数据显示，年轻的美国选民与65岁以上年长选民的选举倾向有百分之三十的差异，这是自1976年以来在总统大选中出现的最大的代沟。

    这项针对全美的调查显示，有百分之四十七的人认为新老两代最大的差异是社会价值观与道德观念。年轻人在受访时更强调与上一代人在生活方式、家庭观、人际关系和约会中存在不同看法，而中老年人则主要提到两代人在权益观上的不同。年轻人显然对同性婚姻和异族通婚持更宽容的态度。

    在美国，宗教是老年人生活中相当重要的一部分，但调查显示，年轻一代正在日益疏离宗教。在六十五岁以上群体中，有三分之二的老年人认为宗教对他们来说非常重要；但只有一半的三十到四十九岁的中年人持那种看法；而十八岁到二十九岁的年轻人中则仅有四成四那样认为。

Survey shows widest generation gap among American children and their parents

BY Denise Chow，DAILY NEWS WRITER

Monday, June 29th 2009, 12:34 PM

Older and younger Americans are most likely to differ on issues dealing with social values and morality, according to The Associated Press. 

A survey released Monday by the Pew Research Center shows a widening generation gap on issues ranging from religion to marriage, creating divisions not seen since generational clashes over the Vietnam War, civil rights and women’s rights 40 years ago.

The survey results highlighted the growing difference among age groups, as evidenced by voting trends from November’s presidential election, in which 18-to-29-year-olds voted overwhelmingly in favor of Democrat Barack Obama by a 2-to-1 ratio.

According to Pew, an independent public opinion research group, nearly 80% of people surveyed believe there is a major difference in the points of view of older and younger people today.

That marks the highest percentage since 1969, when approximately 74% reported major conflicts. In 1969, clashes between the generations included such hot-button issues as Vietnam, civil rights and women’s liberation.

The survey identified several areas in which older and younger people differ, with 47% stating that generations differ most on social values and morality. Younger people ages 18 to 29 reported conflicts over lifestyle, including views on family and relationships. Meanwhile, older participants claimed differences in manners and a sense of entitlement.

Differing views on religion and tolerance are also contributing to the generation gap.

Close to two-thirds of people ages 65 and older claimed that religion was a big part of their lives. Comparatively, only 44% of people ages 18 to 29 felt the same.

Younger people were found to be more tolerant on cultural issues such as gay marriage and interracial relationships.

Paul Taylor, director of the Pew Social and Demographic Trends Project, stated that the generation gap today appears to be part of a more general trend, rather than the basis of a strong counterculture, as in the 1960s, when young people defiantly opposed the Vietnam War and amassed support for equal rights.

"Today, it’s more of a general outlook, a different point of view, a general set of moral values," Taylor told The Associated Press.

The results of the survey were compiled from 2,969 phone interviews conducted from Feb. 23 to March 23 by the Pew Research Center. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. Pew also used polls conducted by Gallup, CBS and The New York Times to observe trends since 1969.