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Generation Gap
The generation gap is the contrast in attitudes within one generation and another, particularly between the younger and their parents. The differences arise from younger and older people having a challenge in understanding each other because of their differences in habits, opinions, experiences, and behavior (Howe and Strauss 1). In history, there have always been some theories of generational differences. An instance is when women in the 1920s wore skirts, and this shocked their elders. Nonetheless, the theory of the generational gap was set in motion around1960s. It narrates the cultural differences between baby boomers and their parents (Howe and Strauss 5). During this time, the differences between the two generations were overemphasized compared with the previous time. The intergenerational gap requires bridging by the joint efforts of both generations to build a closer parent-child relationship. Both generations need to try to explain their suggestions to family members in a forgiving manner.
Causes of Generation Gap
One of the reasons for the generation gap is the effect of technology. Technological advances that have taken place in the 20th and 21st centuries have affected individuals' lifestyles whereby one generation is drastically different from the other (Howe 15). Thinking about all the technological changes that have taken place in the past 20 years, many people from older generations are having problems adapting to the modern technologies that millennials have become habitual to (Johnson and Kardos 11). Due to this, older generations find it hard to accept the new changes in technology. In contrast, many of the younger generations perceive it as a freedom tool that serves a variety of opportunities from career to education and many other factors that allow the establishment of the youth culture.
Another factor that caused the generation gap is the increased mobility of society. As we all know, in the earlier generation, society was not too mobile. Most individuals stayed in the same region or country. There was not too much contact with the outside people of the region. There was limited access to information from other cultures. Nevertheless, with the expansion of improvements in technology, individuals began to be introduced to new things (Johnson and Kardos 13). With people beginning to experience other cultures through music and television, websites such as the google search engines made it uncomplicated for individuals to connect globally. With the introduction of social media, people have started to confront their traditional cultures and keep up with new cultural values of their own. This has led to disputes among the dissimilar generations.
Effects of Generation Gap.
One major effect of generation gaps is that they may lead to misunderstandings between dissimilar generations. The elders start to feel neglected and become adamant, and on the other hand, the younger generation tends to feel frustrated and become insubordinate. The older ones, parents, to be specific, want their children to abide by the rules of life since they're aware of their hardships, while the younger ones want to live by their own rules (Johnson and Kardos 19). A good example is that millennials use their palm phones a lot more so for text messaging. These behaviors tend to seem dismissive and rude to baby boomers that prefer talking to texting.
Solution and bridging of generation gaps
The key to communicating effectively through different generations is by being open-minded. We should not assume that all millennials are well-informed technologically while Baby Boomers are not. Baby Boomers are not supposed to look at a new generation of workers as a menace in terms of work. Rather, they should look at them as opportunities for learning new ideas from them. (Deal 11). People from any generation should know people and individuals and treat each other with respect. Besides, the younger generations should accept themselves as followers. They need to be willing to show that they are trainable, flexible, and need to be self-motivated and express themselves.
To sum up, to diminish the generation gap, we need to be open-minded about learning from other generations. Frequently, there is a stain within each generation; younger or older generations are wrong. This is because their values and opinions are different, and this is harmful to our minds. Easing communication between generations will improve education, especially the way how technology is used.
Works Cited
Howe, Neil, and Strauss, William. "The new generation gap." ATLANTIC-BOSTON- 270
(1992): 67-67.
Johnson, Susan Moore, and Kardos, Susan M. "Bridging the Generation Gap." Educational
Leadership 62 (2005): 8-14.
The deal, Jennifer J. Retiring the generation gap: How employees young and old can find
common ground. John Wiley & Sons, 2007.
