Group benefit orientation toward older adults at work? A comparison of cohort analytic methods

The group benefit orientation for explaining generational beliefs on policy issues is considered in light of debate regarding emerging conflict between younger and older people in America. Using data from two national surveys conducted seven years apart, beliefs about older adults' labor force participation are analyzed by conventional cohort analysis and an alternative method of replacing age in similar models with a theoretically meaningful variable. Neither method offers support for the group benefit orientation. Both methods indicate that more recent cohorts show the highest levels of support for older workers' privileges and opportunities, reflecting social change in the direction of increasing tolerance of and support for the rights of older people. A period effect of increasing support for older workers was also observed on two of the indicators. The findings have implications for both the substantive issues raised and the analysis of cohort data.