Generation Gap
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Topic: GENERATION GAP
/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_gap/
The generational gap is and was a term popularized in Western countries during the 1960s referring to differences between people of a younger generation and their elders, especially between children and parents.
Although some generational differences have existed throughout history, modern generational gaps have often been attributed to rapid cultural change in the postmodern period, particularly with respect to such matters as musical tastes, fashion, culture and politics. These changes are assumed to have been magnified by the unprecedented size of the young generation during the 1960s, which gave it the power and inclination to rebel against societal norms, as reflected in songs such as the 1965 hit "My Generation" by The Who and "The Times They Are a-Changin'" by Bob Dylan.
However, sociologists also point to institutional age segregation as an important contributing factor to the generational divide. In their research, for instance, Gunhild O. Hagestad and Peter Uhlenberg have observed that institutions divide society into roughly three chronological age-based groups which operate in isolated domains. Those in childhood phases are segregated within educational institutions or child-care centers, parents are isolated within work-based domains, while older generations may be relegated to retirement homes, nursing homes, or senior day care centers. Social researchers see this kind of institutionally-based age segregation as a barrier to strong intergenerational relationships, social embeddedness, and generativity (the passing down of a positive legacy through mentoring and other cross-generational interactions).
Some interventions resulting from intergenerational research have proven successful in bridging the generation gap. Examples include multigenerational music groups, or programs bringing "bookend generations" (elders and preschoolers) together in intergenerational daycare centers where the elderly mentor the young.[4] Researchers find that positive relationships built between unrelated children and elders in these settings tend to be generalized to relationships within the family at home.
/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_gap/
The generational gap is and was a term popularized in Western countries during the 1960s referring to differences between people of a younger generation and their elders, especially between children and parents.
Although some generational differences have existed throughout history, modern generational gaps have often been attributed to rapid cultural change in the postmodern period, particularly with respect to such matters as musical tastes, fashion, culture and politics. These changes are assumed to have been magnified by the unprecedented size of the young generation during the 1960s, which gave it the power and inclination to rebel against societal norms, as reflected in songs such as the 1965 hit "My Generation" by The Who and "The Times They Are a-Changin'" by Bob Dylan.However, sociologists also point to institutional age segregation as an important contributing factor to the generational divide. In their research, for instance, Gunhild O. Hagestad and Peter Uhlenberg have observed that institutions divide society into roughly three chronological age-based groups which operate in isolated domains. Those in childhood phases are segregated within educational institutions or child-care centers, parents are isolated within work-based domains, while older generations may be relegated to retirement homes, nursing homes, or senior day care centers. Social researchers see this kind of institutionally-based age segregation as a barrier to strong intergenerational relationships, social embeddedness, and generativity (the passing down of a positive legacy through mentoring and other cross-generational interactions).
Some interventions resulting from intergenerational research have proven successful in bridging the generation gap. Examples include multigenerational music groups, or programs bringing "bookend generations" (elders and preschoolers) together in intergenerational daycare centers where the elderly mentor the young.[4] Researchers find that positive relationships built between unrelated children and elders in these settings tend to be generalized to relationships within the family at home.
Questions For Discussion:
- What is a generation gap? Do you believe that large difference can exist between groups of people solely because of age? Have you ever felt a generation gap with friends or family? How did you overcome this situation?
Is it always possible to overcome a generation gap or age differences every too great to ingnore? What defines “generation” in your opinion? How many years, life experiences or important events need to occur to consider a group of people a 'generation'?- At what point in your life would a generation gap seem large? When would it seem small? Do differences between generations or age groups increase or decrease over time? Do older generations automatically have more authority than younger ones?
- Do generation gaps alter relations in the workplace? If you are a generation older than your boss, how does this affect your relationship? Can you work successfully with a superior who is much younger than you? How would this age difference alter levels of respect in the workplace?
- How do generation gaps appear in our personal lives? Can marriages between generations be successful? Can friendships be successful? How are generation gaps displayed between grandparents, parents and children?
- When are generation gaps very evident? In use of technology? In leisure activitties and favorite pastimes? Where can you see these differences the most and in which activities are they the least visible?
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