Gap between generations – A challenge for the Future

What is Generation gap?

• A difference in values and attitudes between one generation and another, especially between young people and their parents.
• "Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.” (George Orwell)

Differences

• Political differences 
• Workplace behaviors 
• Responsibility 
• Fashion 
• Music 
• Education system
• Food, restaurants
• Technology

"The family emerges through the eyes of many students as a jail in which everyone is in solitary confinement, trapped within their own particular suffering. The frequent absence of intimacy, affection, warmth or shared concern, the prevalence of families in which no one had found what he wanted or needed, has had a profound impact on this generation."

Old vs. New Device

Parents fault

“Mozart in the womb. French lessons at age 2. Software programming at age 4. SAT- prepping at age 10. Are we pushing our kids too hard?”

Computer world

Younsters
Youngsters age also known as"Net Generation”

• —"Generation Next"
• ".com Generation"
• "Point and Click Generation"
• "Generation Why"

Youngsters think 
Youngsters think about Elders that

• —"They’re too political, always trying to figure out just what to say…to whom…and when."
• "They do a great job of talking the talk. But they don’t walk the walk."
• "Can’t make a decision without forming a committee."
• "They work too much."

Diversity

Diversity of core values across different generations

Core values

Elders core values

• Loyal
• Family
• Country (Patriotic)
• Job

• Practical
• Duty before pleasure
• Dedicated
• Relationship approach: Self-sacrifice
• Decision making: Team-oriented
• Generational Spiritualities

Youngsters core values

• Materialistic
• Competence
• Challenge
• Confident, hopeful
• Relationship approach: Committed to success
• Decision making: Good for all
• Flexibility and options
• Want it now
• Pressured

Understand

To start to understand someone …
Seek to understand their value system

Generation gap - Differentiates

• Understanding the Difference
• 40 years ago “Top Down Management” was expected and respected
• Today “Servant Based Leadership” is expected and respected.
• Understanding the difference in people, Makes the difference

Approach to change

• Elder’s approach
• you turn up when the boss says, you should and you stay late
• work all the time; come in early and stay late
• Ready-Ready-Ready-Aim-Fire!
• Ready-Aim-Fire!
• Younger’s approach
• work hard to complete projects but when you’re not needed, you want to be free to pursue your life outside of work
• your job is something you do between weekends or your other jobs
• Ready-Fire-Aim!
• Fire-Fire-Fire-Aim-Fire!

Business field

How Elders & Youngsters can connect. Elders know how to make money & Youngsters knows how to use Social Media... How can the two work together?

Any solution?

Any solution to the problem facing not only USA, but also Europe and all societies following the western way of living. But he is not alone in failing to suggest a solution. The sociologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers of Europe, America and in fact the whole world have failed to find a solution. That is why the so-called generation gap is a world-wide problem.

Follow Triangle

How to decrease

• Elders should have to read story books, and should have to giggle at private joke or pictures like the child
• "Youngsters need to interact with adults as much as possible," Blumstein said. "For a child to read with an adult is an exciting concept, and their self-worth improves."

Parents should have to hang out with their kids, and kids also wants to hang out with their parents 

One father who plays an online video game with his son: he logs on during lunch hour to try to beat his son’s score from the night before. Then when his son gets home from school, he tries to beat his father’s score from lunchtime.

• Every matter should be discussed openly and with accurate reasons.
• Adult should understand youth feelings and give them some space. If adults have given good teaching to youngster, they can never choose wrong path.
• Adults and youngsters should respect each other’s feelings and compromise to some extent.
• Both should be more like friends, tell your parents what’s going on in world.
• Trust each other.

Key points

• Your parents are not your enemy, try to understand their feelings .when you will become elder, you will realize it. 
• Communication is the most important thing, along with remembering that different doesn’t mean worse. As you say, understand the other’s feelings. 
• Elders should always remember that he or she is not an elder by birth and has come through the same emotions in life. 

Quessionaire?

• How do you think good parents should treat their children? 
• Do you always do what your parents want you to do? 
• When are your parents’ birthday and their wedding anniversary? 
• Do your parents celebrate your birthday? How about their own birthday celebration? 
• In your parents’ eyes, what are you interested in? Do you know your parents’ interests? 
• Have you ever written letters to your family?

Try to do

Communicate with each other, try to understand each other 

Have patience 

Put one feet into other’s shoes

Minimize the generation gap

Create & maintain good working relationships 

Compromise: Let’s agree to respect each other’s views, no matter how wrong yours may be.

Future

“The past has the potential to crush our future if we don’t address it.”

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