What Generation Gap? A Comparison of Some Generational Differences among Blacks and Whites

Data from seven national surveys were examined for age differences in black and white populations regarding three kinds of attitudes: 1) outlook on life; 2) interracial tolerance and hostility; 3) attitudes toward the advocacy of violence. In each of these attitude areas, populations showed differences by education as well as by age. But the interaction between education and age was not always the same in the black and white populations. This analysis indicated that education may be at least as important a determiner of generations as age is; introducing education as a variable interacting with age adds precision to the discussion of generational differences.