A generation gap is a chasm between the views and actions of people from two generations. A generation gap is a term that describes the differences in attitudes, behaviors, and preferences between members of younger and older generations.
Because time moves on and change is unavoidable, each generation’s values, tastes, and attitudes on life shift. A generation gap is a term used to describe this disparity. As their perception of the world was shaped by how the community functioned throughout their adolescence, this frequently leads to a lack of interaction and agreement between the two generations.
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People raised in different periods and under different situations have distinct perspectives based on their experiences. The rhythms of society have been evolving. Everyone deserves to live and act in their way, and no one wishes to give up their principles and beliefs. There’s always an attitude gap or a poor understanding between the old and young generations. This mentality has widened the generation gap, which is widening by the day. Following its causes, some solutions of generation gap between parents and child have also been discussed which can be helpful in the social issues which are hardly discussed these days.
Causes of Generation Gap between parents and children
Over the last 50 years, family relationships and composition have altered considerably. The days of conventional family values and a home structure where mom stayed at home while dad worked are long gone. Instead, the concept of marriage has led to a wide range of family structures, from traditional two-parent families to children raised by grandparents and everything in between. Generational differences and disconnect, often known as the generation gap, can lead to problems, including miscommunication and family trouble. Here are some of the causes of Generation Gap between parents and children:
1. Rising Rate of the shift in society
The rising rate of shift in society has had a significant impact on generation gaps. In the 1800s, societal progress was gradual. As a result, the lifestyles of 2 – 3 generations were quite similar. There weren’t many distinctions between ages. However, due to technological and social advancements in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, people’s lifestyles are significantly different, even one generation apart.
2. Gap due to increased mobility
The increased mobility of the community has also had an impact on the generation gap. Society was not highly mobile in previous eras. The majority of people remained in the same region or country. There was little interaction with others outside of one’s surroundings. Information was scarce from other cultures. However, with the advancement of technology, individuals began to be exposed to new things.
3. Thinking patterns & Current trends
Age is one of the significant factors of generational division. However, the fundamental problem arises from a mental disconnect between thinking patterns and current trends. Children believe they are adults, and it is past time for them to be self-sufficient—this aids in their development of self-esteem.
In general, neither parents nor children view things from the perspective of the other. As a result, miscommunication is a significant contributor to the generational divide. They discuss homework, sibling clashes, limits, and trust, which can cause friction between teenagers and their parents. Some teens believe their families should have more confidence in them and give them complete independence, but they also recognize that their parent’s primary concern is their safety.
4. Technology Gap
It’s also essential to have technical skills. The ability of older people to learn and then use new technology impacts how technology is affecting the generation gap. Because this is usually created for the youth of today by Digital natives, many older individuals can get left behind after things move too quickly.
The age gap between children and parents is frequently wide enough that they spent their most formative years in a culture other than their own. In addition, adolescence is often the period during which people are most affected by their environment. Things rarely remain the same as our world develops and changes, resulting in generation gaps between children and parents.
5. Work ethics & Educational goals
Today’s youth demands instant gratification while striving for achievement. Most individuals change jobs at least once, if not more, in their lives, and freelancing has become a popular replacement for the conventional 9-to-5 workweek. Younger family members may become “permanent learners,” seeking ever-increasing levels of education.
The older generation (for the most part) was denied their educational ambitions and had to work multiple jobs to support their families. Money was put aside for a rainy day, and formal schooling and pleasures were few. Work is regarded as a means to an end by today’s generation, which works to spend rather than save for retirement.
6. Children as Members of the Family
Although you give limitations and control, your children may be considered in your home today. Families are getting together more to settle difficulties and avoid family disasters. Younger family members can express themselves, which might irritate the older generation. Grandparents may still believe that children should obey instructions without questioning why or how they were given. When a younger family member disputes an elder’s perspective or directive, it can lead to a family dispute.
7. Too Many Comparisons
Another reason the difference widens is when youngsters are compared to one another and how they were as a child. This causes individuals to lose faith in themselves and might suffocate any passion they might have previously.
8. Insufficient Interaction
Parents are frequently too exhausted to spend sufficient time with their children every day due to the obligations of adulthood and the pressure that comes with working life. As a result, there is a breakdown in communication and engagement across generations, which increases the generation gap.
9. Children are supposed to be exact replicas of their parents
Unfortunately, parents frequently have ambitions for their children, pushing them on that path without considering what their children desire.
Solutions of Generation Gap between parent and child
Both children and parents don’t really see things from each other’s perspectives. As a result, miscommunication is a major contributor to the generational divide. Here are a few solutions to Generation Gap between parents and children:
1. Keep an open mind
Children’s thinking differs from that of their parents. Parents frequently believe that because they’ve been their kid’s age, they have a better understanding of how the child feels. The truth is that their world & mode of living were significantly different back then than they are now, and their mindset will be pretty diverse as well, which might be alarming to some parents. This is why it’s critical to think outside the box and not assume they’re exactly as you were when they were their age. It would be best to recognize that certain things accepted in society and appropriate to your child were not acceptable to you when you were of a similar age.
2. Communicate
It is critical to spend daily time communicating with your children. The simple act of asking each other about their day at the end of the day would assist and guide each other better and make things easier to talk freely around each other.
In addition, children need to understand that they can come to their parents with everything, providing parents peace of mind because they won’t have to worry about their children hiding critical information.
3. Listen
It is essential to allow their children to talk without interference and listen to what they have to express. Learning about your child’s thoughts and feelings gives them the impression that you care about what they want or feel, which helps them feel more connected to you. In addition, having a parent who understands in addition to talking and lecturing will inspire your child to listen to you in exchange.
4. Understand
Listening leads to understanding: putting yourself in your child’s position and attempting to comprehend what they think and what they want from what they say. You would be able to close the generation gap to a certain extent if you could comprehend what your child is going through.
5. Love your kid unconditionally
When love is acted upon, it tends to cross barriers and bring people together. As a result, show your child how much you care about them. This unconditional support and love they receive from you are incredibly motivating, and it encourages youngsters to reciprocate with the same passion and compassion.
6. Compromise
People, irrespective of how close they are, sometimes disagree about topics. Children and parents are no different, but rather than pushing them to think your way or do what you want when they don’t want to, make a compromise wherever feasible.
Of course, there will be times when you need to stand firm with your kids, but reaching an agreement rather than dictating their every action can bring them closer to you and narrow the generation gap.
7. Family Therapy
Family therapy is a sort of psychological counseling that can aid in the improvement of communication and conflict resolution among family members.
Several family members are generally brought together for treatment sessions in family therapy. However, a family member can consult a family therapist on their own.
Sessions usually last between 50 mins to an hour. Family therapy is usually brief, lasting around 12 sessions. How often you visit and how many appointments you’ll need will be determined by your family’s unique circumstances and the therapist’s advice.
You can do the following in family therapy:
- You can directly try to describe the Generation Gap between you and your parents and directly point it out.
- Examine your family’s abilities to solve problems and effectively convey thoughts and emotions.
- Examine family responsibilities, norms, and patterns of behavior to uncover issues that lead to conflict – and strategies to resolve them.
- Discuss your family’s strengths and shortcomings, such as the ability to care for one another and the inability to confide in one another.
Effects of Generation Gap between parents and child
Parents and children may begin to maintain a distance from one another as a result of the generation gap. Parents love their children, but they also adhere to traditions and conventions that the children may not understand or accept.
Parents frequently fail to comprehend their children, and children frequently struggle to comprehend why their parents adhere to so many society standards, resulting in a generation gap.
Because today’s children are of a modern generation with a broad view, they refuse to acknowledge traditional practices.
That’s where the fight starts. Because of misunderstandings, both parents and children are unable to establish a compromise and begin to distance themselves. This, however, is a blunder which should be addressed. Parents should avoid imposing all of their values and ambitions on their children. Similarly, children should endeavor to accept their parents’ views rather than simply reject them. These were some of the effects of Generation Gap between parents and child.
Conclusion
So, the generational divide is a highly important idea that arises from the distinct natures of each individual. But, it is also true that nobody wants to live in a strained atmosphere, and you will always need your parents by your side, because they are the people that care for you.
They may have different ways of communicating their care and love for you, and you may feel weird, but you must make an effort to understand them & their aspects. It’s a blessing to have your elders in your family because you can communicate with them and allow them to know your opinion and how you handle an issue.
