The world is changing at rapid speed and causing people born in different ages to distance themselves from each other. They have clashes over each others’ thought process, cultural values and traditions. This creates a rift between them leading to several familial problems.
This generation gap has always existed in our societies. Socrates once said ” The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.” This felt so similar to the real scoldings from our grandparents.
There are currently six generations living in most parts of the world – the greatest generation, the silent generation, Baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and generation Z. Each generation has its own unique characteristics. The greatest generation is known for their patriotism, the generation X really worked hard and look for stability in life. Millennials believe in their own independence, adventuring their career, lavish lifestyle, and are highly dependent on technology.
The parents from generation x were not exposed to the mobile and changing world early in their lives so they didn’t detach themselves from their previous generations, although they too must have faced disagreements and conflicts they followed the same values, culture, and traditions. They have been in a difficult world, they have worked hard for the position they have earned so they value stability.
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We millennials and generation Z did not see much of struggle; we were gifted with comfort so we look for more adventure and something out of the box. We don’t want to rely on just predefined career opportunities envisaged by generation x and baby boomers.
My parents, like many others out there, believe government jobs are the best thing that can happen to anyone. If you do not have it maybe you didn’t study well, you are careless, irresponsible and what not. But we live in world of technology, we believe there are a lot more opportunities which are more challenging and rewarding than government jobs. We are on the path of breaking this monolithic society’s rules and career options and these disagreements are raising conflicts between us.
Millennials are the only generation who are suffering the most consequences of this gap. People and Philosophers do believe it existed before also ; but in my opinion technology and social media has increased our mobility virtually as well as physically. We are aware of different cultures and we try and adopt from every culture and this whole amalgamation of our personalities is being refused by our previous generations; as they are so rigid with their thought process and specific for their cultural acceptance. The major reason being the scientific advancement which happened in last 30 years. All these advancements landed us in all different world with full of choices for us. We do not worry about what society would feel and think about us, if we misalign ourselves with them.
For our parents and grandparents generations what people think about them in society mattered the most (societal pressure). They never thought of breaking the rules as that may lead to their abandonment from society, and they fear the same for us. Thus all this is leading to conflicts and creating distance between us. As we follow ‘my life my rules’ kind of approach.
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They do not agree with our clothing choices, relationship choices, or career choices. In the world of online selling and buying products our parents are comfortable wasting their lots of time for saving just few pennies on the other side we spend double the amount just to save the time. All these little things and preferences over certain things cumulatively have been big and made us reach to point of serious conflicts. Our coming generation may not feel this much big gap as we are accustomed to this new changing and mobile world. We the Millenials are facing real gap as the world has modernized but we still abide by the rules of our previous generation or when you go against them consequences are real serious.
Here are some tips to bridge up the gap
Focus on similarities:
The basic approach is to focus on similarities and not the differences between the various generations. Experts say core values are likely in alignment regardless of the age gap and focusing on these can create open-mindedness.
Keep communication on:
Despite several disagreements, do not stop the conversation. Your parents and grandparents definitely care about you, they worry for you because they have faced a struggle in their lives so wanting to protect and secure our future they advise us, which might be sometimes disagreements but try and make them understand what you feel about the situations and explain them calmly and build friendly relations, this should be done from both the sides.
Listen :
Parents need to allow such an environment that the child can talk and discuss anything they want. Children are emotionally connected to their parents, even they try not to hurt their parents’ emotions. Parents must be ready to listen to their Childs problems and make them feel they matter to them. So having a parent who listens instead of giving talk and lectures will give the child a sense of encouragement.
It is important to understand from both the sides that each generation have their own thoughts and opinions, but being patient, loving and sometimes a let go on certain disagreements will help to bridge up the gap formed.
One Life. Live Boundless.
Also read, How Orthodox Families Become an Obstacle for A Girl’s Dreams
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