“When looking at the values and lifestyles of North American young adults ages 18-34, there is a clear line of division: the U.S.-Canada border.”

That’s according to A Check-up on the Habits and Values of North America’s Young Adults, a new study by Ipsos Canada.

It found “marked differences between American and Canadian young adults when it comes to lifestyle decisions and values.”

Among the results:

…health care, education and employment matters were rated as the top three issues in both countries.

However, there were large discrepancies in the degree of importance placed on other issues.

For example, 73% of Canadians ages 18-34 rated the environment as important compared to 61% of Americans ages 18-34. Additionally, 65% of Americans ages 18-34 rated terrorism as important compared to less than half of Canadians ages 18-34 (44%)….

Canadians were also more likely than Americans in the age group to report participating in recycling programs and regularly taking transit where available…

The study further reported:

“When we compare the lifestyles of young adults in the United States and Canada, one could describe the Americans as more ‘traditional’ and more ‘domestic’ in their values and focus, whereas Canadians are more of the ‘free-spirit’ type,” says Samantha McAra, Senior Research Manager with Ipsos Reid.

“American young adults are more likely to get married, to own their home, and travel closer to home. The comparable group in Canada, however, are less likely to be married, more likely to be in a domestic partnership type of relationship, less likely to own their home and more likely to travel abroad.”

Examining the media habits of young people in both countries, the Ipsos study found:

Americans like football, MySpace, and text messaging. Canadians like hockey, Facebook, and playing the lottery. And both just can’t get enough of the Internet….

On a daily average, Americans in the age group watch about an hour more television per day than Canadians….

A marked cultural difference is noted in text messaging. Americans really like text messaging, sending and receiving an average of 129.6 text messages per week. That is nearly double the Canadian average of 78.7 messages per week….

You can read more about the findings here and here.

Photo ©Carolyn B. Heller