By Swapnil Pal:
According to the Oxford Dictionary Generation Gap is only a difference in attitudes between people of different generations. The Generation Gap is the accumulation of differences, difficulties, and ideas between people born during different time periods. The gap often leads to misunderstanding and lack of trust between the two groups. The elders are more critical of the younger generation with a big stock of complaints against the young and the young mostly tend to ignore the grumbling, mumbling and occasional loud protestations of the older generation. They resent the petting attitude of the elders.
The young people of today get their knowledge from the “internet”, and they hardly read other than light magazines, while the elders of their hard-earned, profound book based knowledge. This difference can best be seen in the difference of interests and hobbies.
The generation gap is the constant struggle of the parents to prevent their kids from doing things that their own experiences and wisdom tell them is going to harm their kids. The kids on the other hand try constantly to prove to the parents that they are equipped to take control of their lives. They want to live a challenging life and do not shy away from aspiring high. This attitude is completely opposite to their parents who want their children to live a simple and comfortable life. Neither is wrong – they are both right in their own premise. The parents blinded by their love for the kids would rather have their own experiences replace the experiences of their kids. Whereas, the kids are convinced that their decisions are right and are based on current situations that the parents may not necessarily be aware of.
Now, how can generation gap be reduced?
– Lots of communication with commitment is required. Communication between different generations is imperative as it helps in resolving issues, understanding one another’s feeling and maintaining faith.
– Much time should be spent together. Family decision should be made after consulting from every member of the family, with this no member will feel left out. Children should be consulted from their early age as it would help them to build self-confidence.
– People should know that respect is a two way process. If someone wants respect, one has to show respect too. People should never hesitate to learn the same thing from different perspective.
Generation gap is nothing but a difference in the way of thinking. If people start to believe in their family, this gap will itself diminish. So take a step forward and try to bridge this widening gap.