What is a generation gap

What is the generation gap?

Change is an inevitable part of life and in the passage of time, radical and dynamic changes keep happening. This is because society has to adapt itself with the changing times and it does not remain static. But the 21st century is an era where drastic changes happen every single day leading to the emergence of various issues. One of these issues is a generation gap.

It is has become a widely popular in different forms globally. Generation gap implies the ideological, cultural and social disassociation and disagreement in beliefs and existing system by the younger generation which tends to create a gulf mainly between the children and their parents. This exists mainly between children and parents and can also exist between teachers and students, elder employer and younger employee.

Reasons for Generation Gap

It is very important to understand that family as unit traditionally was a joint family with a strong system of values and culture being built in the children since they are young by the elders of the family. In the modern era, the families are nuclear units with parents engaged in their work targets to meet the rising economic demands and standard of living. Thus, the children do not develop emotional bonds with their parents.

The exposure to latest technology again creates a divide between the tech-savvy and the nontech-savvy generation i.e. the children and the parents. Thus, there are continuous changes in the agencies of socialization. The friends also become more important than parents for the children in many cases.

Consequences of Generation Gap

The generation gap is very strong can lead to a lot of negative consequences. The parents feel constant stress and anxiety of being unable to understand their kids properly. The feeling of being neglected develops in the elders. There is also inferiority in terms of understanding technology. The younger generation, on the other hand, is getting more and more disconnected to the cultural and traditional knowledge which has been passed on from one generation to another.

Generation Gap

Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.

To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides father’s and mother’s.

Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.

On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.

Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.

But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.

Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.

It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.

Конфликт поколений

Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.

Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.

Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.

Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.

Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.

Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.

Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.

Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.

Вопросы:
1. How do you think, which is the tensest period in the relationships between parents and their children?
2. Give your explanation of the notion «generation gap».
3. Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour during the last years?
4. What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
5. Do you like to spend time with your family?
6. How would you characterize your relations with your parents?
7. Are you a spoiled child?
8. What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and peaceful relationship between parents and children?
9. What would you like to change in the way your parents brought you up?
10. Do you approve of the way your parents brought you up?

Сохранить эту страницу в социальной сети:

Англо-русский словарь онлайн

5 тестов скорости!

What Research Says About the Generation Gap

Generational Differences and Their Causes

Susan Adcox is a writer covering grandparenting and author of Stories From My Grandparent: An Heirloom Journal for Your Grandchild.

Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle.

Many grandparents grew up in an era of angry confrontations between the generations. As they ease into the role of family patriarchs and matriarchs, they may wonder: What happened to the generation gap? Is it gone or just on hiatus? Or it is still present but mostly underground?

Definition of Generation Gap

A generation gap is commonly perceived to refer to differences between generations that cause conflict and complicate communication, creating a «gap.»

Word maven William Safire provides this more positive definition: «Generation gap can be a frustrating lack of communication between young and old or a useful stretch of time that separates cultures within a society, allowing them to develop their own character.»

From their position in the family, and with more life experience than younger family members, grandparents are uniquely poised to see that differences between generations can be positive for all those concerned.

Past Generation Gaps

Although there always have been differences between the generations, the drastic differences that the term implies were not much in evidence until the 20th century. Before that time, society was not very mobile. Young people typically lived near their extended families, worshiped in their childhood churches, and often worked on the family farm or in a family business.

With the advent of television and movies, young people were exposed to cultural influences alien to their own families and cultures. Performers like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and James Dean won adulation from the younger generation, but often were met with derogation from the older generation. Then came the 1960s, and civil rights and the Vietnam War exposed a more serious chasm between young and old.

Today’s Generation Gaps

The generation gap that was so in evidence during the ’60s has resurfaced, but it is not the disruptive force that it was during the Vietnam era, a 2009 study suggests.

The Pew Research Center study found that 79% of Americans see major differences between younger and older adults in the way they look at the world. In 1969, a Gallup Poll found that a slightly smaller percentage, 74%, perceived major differences.

Today, although more Americans see generational differences, most do not see them as divisive. That is partly because of the areas of difference. The top areas of disagreement between young and old, according to the Pew Research Study, are the use of technology and taste in music. Grandparents are likely to have observed these differences in their grandchildren who are tweens, teens, and young adults.

Slightly behind these areas of difference are listed the following:

Differences Between the Generations

If large differences between the generations exist, why don’t they spawn conflict? The answer is twofold.

First, the two largest areas of difference—technology and music—are less emotionally charged than political issues. The older generation is likely to be proud of the younger generation’s prowess in technology, rather than to view it as a problem. As for the musical differences, each generation wants its own style of music, and the older generation generally can relate to that desire.

Second, in the other areas of difference, the younger generation tends to regard the older generation as superior to their own generation—clearly a difference from the 1960s, with its rallying cry of «Don’t trust anyone over 30.»

According to the Pew study, all generations regard older Americans as superior in moral values, work ethic and respect for others.

In one area, those surveyed did regard the younger generation as superior—intolerance for different races and groups. A different survey by the Pew Research Center identifies «increasing acceptance of gays and lesbians» as a particular area of difference, with almost half of those up to age 49 seeing it as a good thing, but only 37% of those aged 50 to 64 agreeing and only 21% of those 65 and over.

Safire, W. Safire’s Political Dictionary. 2008. Oxford University Press.

Generation Gap

Adam Hayes, Ph.D., CFA, is a financial writer with 15+ years Wall Street experience as a derivatives trader. Besides his extensive derivative trading expertise, Adam is an expert in economics and behavioral finance. Adam received his master’s in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology. He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

What Is a Generation Gap?

A generation gap refers to the chasm that separates the beliefs and behaviors belonging to members of two different generations. More specifically, a generation gap can be used to describe the differences in thoughts, actions, and tastes exhibited by members of younger generations versus older ones.

The differences may be in politics, values, pop culture, and other areas. While generation gaps have been prevalent throughout all periods of history, the breadth of differences of these gaps has widened in the 20 th and 21 st centuries.

Key Takeaways

Understanding Generation Gaps

Generation gaps play big roles in businesses. This is because in order to sell to different groups companies must find ways to balance the needs and views of individuals from those groups. Businesses must be aware of the changing demographics and genders of their client base, which can affect their business cycles and bottom lines.

The term «generation gap» was first used in the 1960s. During that time, the baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, were growing apart from their parents in their beliefs and opinions.

Sociologists use nomenclature to refer to different generational segments. For example, members of Gen Z, born between 1996 and 2012, are called “digital natives” because they have lived with digital technology their entire lives.

By contrast, older generational members are termed “digital immigrants” and tend to be less comfortable with the personal usage of technologies. Consequently, technology companies market products differently to each age group.

Generational segments go by other handles: the greatest generation is also known as «radio babies»; the silent generation has also been called «traditionalists.» Baby boomers are also known as the “me” generation.

How Generations Are Distinguished

The current living generations have been divided into the following six major groups:

Each generation has its own characteristics regarding vernacular, technological influences, workplace attitudes, general consciousness, and ways of life.

Greatest generation

As Great Depression and World War II survivors, they were instrumental in shaping the United States into an economic and military power. This group is defined by patriotism, teamwork, and drive. They were born from 1901 to 1927.

Silent generation

Born 1928 to 1945, older members of the silent generation fought in Korea, while younger ones danced to Elvis and early rock ‘n’ roll, and formed the leadership of the civil rights movement. More traditional and rules-following than the baby boomers, they are also called the traditionalist generation, although that may be a misnomer for this group.

Baby boomers

They witnessed increasing social and economic equality and came of age as the country was split by differing views on politics, war, and social justice. The boomers participated in some of the greatest social changes in the country’s history, during the 1960s and 1970s, with the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement.

Generation X

Born between 1965 and 1980, Gen-Xers grew up with emerging technologies and political and institutional incompetence. They witnessed Watergate, Three Mile Island, and the Iranian hostage crisis. But they also observed major technological advancements. Mimeograph machines evolved into high-speed copiers, and fax machines gave way to email. Heavy adding machines were replaced by handheld calculators, and computers shrank in size and processing speed.

Millennials

Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials have always known cable TV, pagers, answering machines, laptop computers, and video games. Technological advancements in real-time media and communication have driven their expectation for immediacy. They are the generation that bridges the gap of growing up in a world before and after the Internet.

They have also seen untold tragedy in their youth, with events like the Columbine High School shootings of 1999 and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Millennials were hit hard by the 2008 Great Recession, hurting the long-term outlook of their finances.

Those born on the edge of the Gen-X and Millennials are sometimes referred to as X-ennials.

Generation Z

Generation Z is the generation after the millennials, born between 1997 and 2012. This generation consists of individuals in young adulthood, teenagers, and children. This is the first generation that grew up with the Internet as a fact of life, not knowing a world without email, immediate access to information, or mobile phones.

The cohorts of Gen Z are more likely to be the children of immigrants than millennials are: 22% versus 14%, respectively.

Generation Z was expected to do well financially, coming of age in a strong economy. The economic crisis of 2020 upended that stability and what comes next is still to be determined. This generation is racially and ethnically diverse and is similar to millennials in terms of its social and policy beliefs. Both generations are progressive and believe in social equality and the importance of climate change.

Special Considerations

Understanding the different generations is critical for businesses to know who they should market to and how. The first step is understanding the product or service offered by your business and who its target audience is. From there, learning the best way to market to them, without involving stereotypes, is an important step to success.

Businesses must stay true to their identity. If a company is not perceived as hip or young, then using hip or young lingo to market to Generation Z, for example, will be seen as inauthentic and may backfire.

Millennials and baby boomers are the largest generations.

Baby boomers are also the wealthiest while millennials are reaching middle age and will have more wealth to spend. Understanding these types of characteristics of a generation will help in marketing. Also, knowing what these generations need at a certain point will help.

For example, baby boomers are nearing retirement or are retired, so aspects of retirement in marketing a product may be helpful. Millennials are fairly young, in their mid-twenties to forties, so addressing topics such as buying a house or first car or starting a family may appeal to them.

In addition, a business needs to know where to market. Baby boomers grew up in an age without smartphones or the Internet. Though many are tech-savvy, many also still read physical newspapers and watch cable TV. If you are marketing to baby boomers, that might be an area to consider.

On the other hand, Generation Z grew up with smartphones and tablets in hand, so marketing digitally to them would be the smart move.

Generation Gap FAQs

What Is Generation Gap?

A generation gap is the thoughts, beliefs, and ideologies that separate one generation from the next. These can encompass beliefs on politics, business, race, and pop culture.

What Causes Generational Gaps?

Generational gaps are simply caused by age and the situation of the world at the time one generation has grown up. For example, the beliefs and perceptions of those who grew up during World War II may be different from those who grew up in the 1960s—though to be sure, similarities will remain.

What Are the Generation Gaps Called?

Some of the different generation gaps are the traditionalists, the baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z.

Is the Generation Gap No Longer a Gap?

There are many studies conducted on this topic. There will always be different generations, simply because people are born at different times. Similarly, the world and society are always changing, which will inadvertently change the perception of individuals depending on the period they grew up in. Studies do also show that the differences in generational gaps are minimal. Individual differences also play a role, as do socio-economic factors.

How Can We Bridge the Generation Gap?

There are ways to bridge the generational gap in certain situations in the workplace. Encouraging multi-generational teamwork is one tactic. Creating clear cultural values, such as highlighting the importance of the quality of the work rather than where the work is done (office versus remotely), is another. Incorporating many communication channels that work for all individuals, organizing mentorship programs, and emphasizing respect above all else are also useful tools.

The Bottom Line

A generation gap consists of the differing beliefs on politics, religion, society, pop culture, that exist between different generations. These beliefs are shaped by the state of the world in which the individuals belonging to each generation grew up.

Businesses often try to understand the different generations so that they can create and market products successfully. Businesses also try and understand these differences to close the generation gap among employees, hopefully building cohesive and efficient workplace.

Essay on Generation Gap

What is the Generation Gap?

Generation Gap is a term given to the gap or age difference between two sets of people; the young people and their elders, especially between children and their parents. Everything is influenced by the change of time- the age, the culture, mannerism, and morality. This change affects everyone. The generation gap is an endless social phenomenon. Every generation lives at a certain time under certain circumstances and conditions. So, all generations have their own set of values and views. Every generation wants to uphold the principles they believe in. This is a problem that has continued for ages.

People born in different periods under different conditions have their views based on the circumstances they have been through. The patterns of life have been changing continuously according to time. Everyone wants to live and behave in his way and no one wants to compromise with his or her values and views. There has always been a difference in attitude or lack of understanding between the younger and older generations. This attitude has augmented the generation gap and it is becoming wider day by day. This gap now has started impacting our lives in the wrong way.

It is always good to have a wide range of ideas, views, and opinions. It indicates how we are developing and advancing but sometimes this becomes worrisome when the views and ideas are not accepted by both generations. Parents create a certain image in their minds for their children. They want to bring up their children with values that they have been brought up with and expect their children to follow the same. Parents want children to act following their values, as they believe, it is for their benefit and would do well for them.

Children on the other hand have a broader outlook and refuse to accept the traditional ways. They want to do things their way and don’t like going by any rulebook. Mostly, young people experience conflict during their adolescence. They are desperately searching for self-identity. Parents at times fail to understand the demands of this fast-paced world. Ultimately, despite love and affection for each other both are drained out of energy and not able to comprehend the other. Consequently, there is a lack of communication and giving up on relationships.

Different Ways to Reduce the Generation Gap

Nothing in the world can be as beautiful as a parent-child relationship. It should be nurtured very delicately and so it is important to bridge the gap between the two generations. It is time to realize that neither is completely right nor wrong. Both generations have to develop more understanding and acceptance for each other. Having a dialogue with each other calmly, with the idea of sorting out conflict amicably in ideas, changing their mindset for each other, and coming to a middle ground can be the most helpful instrument in bridging the gap between the two generations.

Spending more time with each other like family outings, vacations, picnics, shopping, watching movies together could be some effective ways to build up a strong bond with each other. Both the generations need to study the ways of the society during their growing period and have mutual respect for it. To reduce the friction between the two generations, both parents and children have to give space to each other and define certain boundaries that the latter should respect.

The generation gap occurs because society is constantly changing. It is the responsibility of both generations to fill this gap with love, affection, and trust. Both generations should have mutual respect for the views and opinions that they uphold and advance cautiously with the development of society.

Conclusion

The generation gap is a very critical concept that occurs because of the different natures of every person. No one can end this generation gap but obviously, you can opt for some way in which it can be reduced.

There should be efforts made by both sides to get a better relationship between two people. The generation gap may cause conflict between families but if you try to understand the thinking of another person and choose a path in between then you can get a happy living family.

No one wants to live in a tense environment and you always need your elders with yourself no matter what, they are the ones who care for you, they may have different ways of expressing their love and care for you and you might feel awkward but you need to understand them and their ways. Having your elders with you in your family is a blessing, you can talk with them and let them know your views and understand your ways to approach a particular situation.