Generation Gap: An Emerging Issue

 Generation gap is not only the difference of ages but the difference of opinions between one generation and another regarding beliefs, politics and values. In today's usage of generation gap often refer to a perceived gap between youngsters and their parents.

Generation gap is serious issue observed in youth and in their parents , the gap however is expected to be wider in case of grandparents and grandchildren. From their position in family and more life experience than younger family members, grandparents are uniquely poised to see that differences between generation can be positive for all those concern. This is not the case today, it would have happened earlier but over the recent years it has become more prominent in our society and addressed as the "PROBLEM" of the our society. Their personal choices, opinions and perception of different generation leads to conflicts and gaps between them.The main reason behind this gap is advancement in technologies and busy schedule which leads to another factor that is lack of communication.

As generation gap is always being there in the our society. Then why only now a days this issue is so prominent in our society for that we have to understand the generation gap of past and today's generation .

Let’s see some of the most important differences between our generation and old generation:

• CULTURE  : 

If we are taking about culture, it is drastically changed from 19th century to late 20th and 21st century From art to music, cultural beliefs and customs, our generation has changed rapidly. Unlike the new generation, old generation were more of an independent generation since it was their personal responsibility for them to make something good out of themselves.

I don't mean that today's generation is not independent or they don't want to do anything, by this I mean that nobody used to spoon feed them and all the time they were made to know that life doesn't owe them anything in order that they wont to be attentive and fixated to make sure that they're always on the proper track.

On the opposite hand, our generation seems like we are authorized on everything and that we can easily hand over from doing something if it requires some extra effort or concentration. We have primed to always expect things to be finished us and it's truly affecting us on how we set about in our day-to-day activities.

• TECHNOLOGY : 

Now this thing we all know that technology has evidently changed our society both in positive as well as in negative manner. And most importantly mobile phones and computers are the result of advancement of technology. Huge number of latest generation is counting on the web and precisely social media which has seen to realize more attention from our kids over the past few years and people can now meet and communicate easily with their loved ones no matter your whereabouts.

From here we can see that in many families, all members(including old and new generations now days) are also using the phones instead of talking to each other even they are sitting in the same room this also causes lack of communication between them.

As compared to old generation technology wasn’t really familiarized , they used to sit together communicate and chlidren used to play outdoor games and ensure their task is completely done by their bare hands with none programmed device that they might use.

 

• FASHION : 

From dressing style to hairstyle and shoes, we've seen both men and women’s mode of dressing within the new generation varying as diverse clothes and outfits being introduced from various clothing designs on the runways and concerts as compared from the older generation where they never had such thing sort of a clothing company or designers and that they were still descent and smart as they wont to craft for themselves.

• LIFESTYLE :

If we focused on lifestyle than baby boomers lifestyle was quite difficult because as how of discipline, the youngsters were whipped and given punishments by their parents and any mistake made there have been consequences and this made the child to be more vigilant and careful next time before trying another stupid thing but our generation parents are not that strict as compare to old generation parents  when disciplining their child and that has led to the kid becoming rebellious and having troubles following some simple rules and regulations given by their parent.

So somewhere we have to accept the fact that in old generation have high moral values and they are more willing to respect their elders as compared to today's yougster.

IMPACT OF GENERATION GAP

In 19th century, developments were slow. Therefore, 2 or 3 generations spent their life with the same pace and values. However, the development in late 20th and 21st centuries is faster. Therefore, the insecurity in relationship is high.

Due to the difference in their bringing up, their mental framework differ from each other. Physciological and behavorial patterns are formed on the basis of circumstances one undergoes. When the people of the different generations meet each other they often are induced to difference in opinion, communication barriers, conflicts etc.

In this regard, parents think their children are wasting time on internet, social media apps and other trending technologies. These are making them useless. They expect that children spend time with us, read books, newspapers and do activities like they did or do. Parents also value the traditional practices.

On the contrary, the children want to follow the changes. They think that their parents are not accepting the change. They expect that parents must spent time with them, understand their values and interests in technologies that is beneficial to them.

Due to the difference in mentality the likes and dislikes also differ from each other. In this way both parents and children cannot live in peace with each other and they are unable to respect the likes and dislikes of opinion of each other. When the thought process  is so different, then love cannot be expressed even if it exists. Both of them are unable to find a proper channel to express their feelings also.

 

Image source: Google | Image created by Caroline Duncan

How to Bridge this Gap between parents and children

In my opinion stop being a parent because after the age of eight or ten, they don't need a parent but they need a friend with whom they can share their secrets .When child is in trouble they will go to friend not to the parent. So as a parent, your the closest friend of your child. And in this way this you are helping your child to live trouble free life as they now always gonna tell you about the confusion in their life and being a parent, you always give them beneficial advice. By this way this generation gap can be fill. 

There are some key point to bridge this gap mention bellow : 

•  Keep An Open Mind

The way that children think is so different from how parents do and on the other hand Parents often feel like because they have already been the age their kid is currently, that they understand how their kid thinks. The truth is, the world and way of life was different earlier than it is now and their mind-set will be very different and can also be shocking for some parents. This is why keeping an open mind and not assuming that they must be just like you were at their age is very important. You must also understand that there are some things that are acceptable in society and therefore acceptable to your child that may not have been acceptable when you were the same age. It is especially in those areas where parents need to try and keep an open mind so they can better understand their children.

• Communicate 

Making the time to communicate with your kids every day is very important. The simple act of talking about each other’s day at the end of the day can help you get to know each other and make it easier to speak freely around the other. Children need to know they can approach their parents with anything, something that can ultimately give parents peace of mind since they do not need to worry about their children hiding things that are important.

• Compromise

People can disagree on things, no matter how close to each other they are. Parents and children are no different; however, rather than forcing them into your way of thinking or forcing them to do what you want them to do when they don’t want to, learn to compromise when possible. There are times when you need to put your foot down with your children, but coming to a compromise instead of dictating their every move will make them closer to you and make that generation gap a little smaller.

• Understanding

With listening comes understanding and this means that you have to learn to put yourself in your child’s shoes and trying to understand how they feel and what they want from what they tell you. If you are able to understand where your child is coming from, you will be able to close that generation gap to some extent.

• Listen

Parents need to allow their kids time to talk without hesitation and listen to them what they have to say. Learning your child’s thoughts and opinions makes them feel like what they want or feel matters to you, which in turn makes them feel much closer to you than earlier. Having a parent who listens instead of only talks and lectures will give your child more encouragement to listen to you in return.

• Unconditional Love

Love has a way of crossing boundaries and bringing people together if we acted upon. So show your kids how much you love them. This unconditional love and support that they get from you is very encouraging and makes children more inclined to show that same love and understanding back.