Generation Gap: Greatest in Recent Times

New survey shows 8 out of 10 people say there IS a generation gap TODAY, compared to 6 out 10 in 1979 or 7.5 out of 10 in 1969 at the height of theVietnam War and civil and women's rights.

Social values, manners, religion and technology are at the center of the generation gap.

WASHINGTON — From cell phones and texting to religion and manners, younger and older Americans see the world differently, creating the largest generation gap since the tumultuous years of the 1960s and the culture clashes over Vietnam, civil rights and women's liberation.

Although thes generation gap in 2009 seems to be more tepid in nature than it was in the 1960, when younger people built a defiant counterculture in opposing the Vietnam War and demanding equal rights for women and minorities.

People age 18 to 29 were more likely to report disagreements over lifestyle, views on family, relationships and dating, while older people cited differences in a sense of entitlement.

Younger people are more likely to embrace technology. About 75 percent of adults 18 to 30 went online daily, compared with 40 percent of those 65 to 74 and about 16 percent for people 75 and older.

Religion is a far bigger part of the lives of older adults. About two-thirds of people 65 and older said religion is very important to them, compared with just over half of those 30 to 49 and 44 percent of people 18 to 29.