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Kids These Days

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a family reunion organized at the farm

where my grandmother grew up; much to her dismay, the party’s reception was held in what had

been the hayloft of the barn. It seemed absurd to her that we could be celebrating in a place she

only associated with days of painstaking hard work in stifling heat, the scent of manure, or dust

and plant fibres that cling to your skin. But as I ascended the wooden staircase, I was taken aback

by the beauty of the room: hearty laughter filled the air as adults passed around drinks and

greeted friendly faces. The Wisconsin heat and humidity might otherwise have been oppressive,

but the sides of the loft were open, with dried chamomile hanging in the windows - someone was

strumming a guitar, and to me, the light colored wood and sunlight filtering through high beams

were more reminiscent of a cathedral than a storehouse. Spinning to take it all in, I spotted my

grandmother across the room. Speaking with her sister, they both still seemed perturbed. I

resolved to tell her her what an amazing time I was having, but it was not until later that I

understood what they had both been feeling. Her concern, she explained, was that based on my

experiences that summer, I would hold an overly romanticized view of farm life. Admittedly, I

had​ fallen in love with the picturesque meadows and friendly, outdoor cats. I was more

impressed, however, by the fact that something she had worked so hard on and dedicated so

much of her life to had not been forgotten, and instead was converted into a place of joy and

celebration and beauty to be shared.

Naturally, after that summer, I was indignant that I did not get a chance to complete a

family history project during my junior year, so I took matters into my own hands, and simply

began to ask my grandparents about their lives. My mother’s parents met when they were only

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sophomores in high school, so there was no shortage of anecdotes to be shared. The

conversations always seemed to me as enlightening as they were entertaining. ​However, as I

matured, progressed in my education, and developed stronger opinions, I became acutely aware

of the different ideas and priorities that had motivated my grandparents and shaped the trajectory

of their lives. This ideological contrast developed parallel to the increasingly ubiquitous rhetoric

of opposition, scapegoating, and sensationalist thinkpieces dominating political media coverage,

sociological schools of thought, and informal writing, all of which seemed to betray considerable

resentment between older adults and the generations currently coming of age. ​This experience

led me to ask the question: What are the societal impacts of conflict and misunderstanding

between generations?

In order to begin examining the effects of intergenerational conflict, one must understand

what a ‘generation gap’ is and how they come to be. In ​Generation Gap​,​ a Sociological Study of

Inter-generational Conflicts​, Ramaa Prasad notes that although the term’s popularity has not

made its meaning easier to pin down, it can be broadly defined as “the difference in value

priorities between two generations that receives the greatest amount of attention in sociological

analysis.” Differences arise because parents act as the primary agents of socialization, but there

comes a time when peer group influence is more dominant and parental values are replaced or

priorities change. Such a challenge to the ​status quo ​often precipitates conflict. Though the

resulting ‘conflict’ carries a negative connotation, it can be interpreted as merely an indicator, or

predictor, of necessary change (Prasad). Perhaps the apparent inevitability of the transition

arises from the fact that, in general, young people are uniquely suited to bring about change.

They are both inclined and able to do so “for ​a number of actual, physiological reasons, as well

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as practical ones and cultural ones and psychological ones ​… ​To take risks, to avoid stability, to

mutate culture, to make things,” according to author and educator Hank Green. With this in

mind, generation gaps can be understood as a natural result of both individual development and

systemic social change.

Likewise, the distinction between age groups and discussion of their relations is not a

recent development. Gordon Welty, of Ohio State University, examined the classical views on

this dynamic, including Aristotle’s assertion that “This relationship was the basis of natural

domination, as the elders 'naturally' ruled the younger -- a domination which he held no one

found disagreeable.” Though not all agreed that the division was necessarily hierarchical in

nature, [many] other social philosophers “recognized that the relationship between the

generations was complex and even contradictory,” (Welty). However, ‘generation gaps’ as we

understand them exist in part due to cultural changes not brought about until the 20th century.

For the better part of human history, people lived lives similar to their parents and grandparents,

and “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” (Adcox). With increased urbanization and movement to the cities, and the advent of

television and movies, young people were exposed to cultural influences alien to their families.

In the 1950s, for example, new styles of music: artists like Elvis Presley and James Dean gained

popularity and were adored by teenagers, but abhorred by adults. In the following decades, a

broader rift emerged. Drastic differences between the perspectives of parents and children

stemmed from their respective formative experiences - coming of age during the Great

Depression and WWII as opposed to being raised in relative economic security, for example. The

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Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and other political upheaval exposed more serious

differences with far reaching effects (Brokaw). Though not every decade has been equally

tumultuous, for better or for worse, parents going forward could reliably expect to raise children

in a world entirely different from the one with which they had grown up.

So how can we endeavor to reconcile these differences? What, if anything, do we stand to

gain from attempting to create distinct generational identities? ​John Quiggins, writing for the

New York Times​, notes that although we can learn some things from imagining society in terms

of generations, it ultimately inhibits understanding by obscuring the individual factors that shape

our lives and attitudes:

Some may argue that the generation game, if intellectually vacuous, is basically
harmless. But dividing society by generation obscures the real and enduring lines
of race, class and gender. When, for example, baby boomers are blamed for
''ruining America,'' the argument lumps together Donald Trump and a 60-year-old
black woman who works for minimum wage cleaning one of his hotels. …or
white millennial college graduates: Yes, they're part of an age cohort that has
experienced worse economic conditions than graduates of the preceding
generation -- but that doesn't give us a particularly meaningful understanding of
their plight, given that they are still better off when it comes to income than the
average non-college-educated worker of any age (Quiggins.)

Likewise, author Audre Lorde argues in a 1980 essay on the history of Western opposition

politics, that ageism and the construction of a defined ‘generation gap’ are “important [social

tools] for a repressive society.” Their shared conjecture rests on the belief that drawing

unnecessary distinctions between members of society is insidious because creates an illusion of

difference which inhibits the formation of enduring alliances between marginalized groups. In

addition to serving as a distraction from more meaningful inequities, she posits, resentment

between age groups prevents the beneficial exchange of information. That is, “If the younger

members of a community view the older members as contemptible or suspect or excess, they will

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never be able to join hands and examine the living memories of the community… This gives rise

to a historical amnesia that keeps us working to invent the wheel every time we have to go to the

store for bread” (Lorde). Her observation suggests that in order to seek meaningful answers to

some of today’s most pressing challenges, young people should consider, and use to their mutual

advantage, the collective knowledge gained by prior generations.

There is also evidence to suggest that as ​Americans, we have a lot to learn from cultures

that have learned to emphasize reciprocal interdependence between generations in their efforts

to actualize sustainable and productive civic policies. ​Take, for instance a study published in the

Journal of Urban Economics​. Researchers conducted a survey of data regarding support for

public school spending initiatives among voters of different age cohorts which found that support

for statewide school spending steadily declined with age, although older voters are more likely to

support local spending on schools than statewide initiatives (Brunner). The researchers outline

two possible explanations for the pattern, indicating that “the capitalization of local spending

into housing values and a [nominal] measure intergenerational altruism” are likely factors in

preserving some measure of support among older voters for local school spending. In either case,

the data reveals that a political and economic decisions can be heavily influenced by a lack of

empathy among separate age brackets. Similarly, when it comes to issues like climate change,

such short sightedness creates a debilitating political inertia (Grote), and when policy decisions

are made without regard for consequences that will only affect future generations, the

consequences can be devastating.

But just as older populations can be less willing to sacrifice for or invest in the future,

young people exhibit a concerning lack of empathy for or interest in aging community members.

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About the effects of this, Victoria Ryan, Director at Love Is the Answer, a Contra Costa County

based nonprofit that works with assisted living facilities to provide entertainment and enhance

patient care, explained that the majority of incoming volunteers in the sector are fulfilling a

court- appointed service requirement, and rarely maintain the engagement for a significant period

of time. This prevents them from forming relationships with the residents, undermining the

quality of the assistance and program outcomes. Moreover, assisted living facilities in the US are

characteristically underfunded, understaffed, and overcrowded. Ryan maintains that the sector

“suffers from [overcrowding] simply because it is operated for profit” but that “regulations

regarding spending per patient and staff member are rendered meaningless without dedicated

ombudsmen equipped to enforce them.” Worryingly, international research reflects a similar

pattern. A study conducted in India by the Agewell Foundation found that 83% of elderly

citizens in the city of Delhi and the contiguous area were suffering from the effects of isolation;

44% were reported to have no interaction at all with family members or other groups (Chandra).

Much like young people can feel ignored by adults who hold more power, senior citizens face

significant emotional consequences once they leave the public sector.

Generational divides can also manifest themselves, and create tensions, within subgroups

of society. According to Mark Harris, author of "The Gay Generation Gap", cynicism is

prevalent among older gay men and women, who feel their their younger counterparts are

“profoundly ungrateful for the political and social gains we spent our own youth striving to

obtain for them.” His biggest wish for both halves of the gap? More communication about the

past and present. Especially because, as he comments in an interview with NPR correspondent

Guy Raz, “I don't think it's fair for people my age, for whom AIDS was … something that

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happened in the world and that we experienced in real time, to blame a younger generation for

experiencing it as history.” Additionally, Harris ventures that although a notable ‘generation gap’

within marginalized communities can cause them to appear fractured to outsiders, this

phenomenon can actually be an indicator of positive change: that the opportunity to argue

amongst themselves about seemingly negligible differences, is a privilege and a sign that the

“tide of public support” has shifted in their favor.

For most Americans, however, the term ‘generation gap’ likely calls to mind images of a

family: disgruntled parents and aloof, cell-phone wielding teens seated around a table, perhaps

joined by a grandparent, prattling on about the good old days. Naturally, generational differences

do factor in to interpersonal relationships as much as political dialogues. ​According to Yvonne

Hanson MA., a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Walnut Creek, generation gaps

within the context of a family are exacerbated when communication is lacking: “... I often hear

teenagers say, for example, ‘well my parents just wouldn't get it’ or ‘they just don’t

understand.’” This, she feels, is indicative of a perception that it would be futile to try and

explain things to their parents, and vice versa. Alternately, Hanson notes that if you skip a

generation, as in the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, those involved might

exhibit more patience and tolerance. She attributes the difference to a greater inclination to try to

understand one another and curiosity about the others experiences, whereas with parents,

differing priorities come into play more often, creating significant discord. The subsequent

frustration arising from unassailable differences affects both parties - elders may feel neglected

and become more isolated, while offspring grow resentful and rebel against the strictures of

previous lifestyles. Over time, the pattern of disagreement has contributed to a rise in the number

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of nuclear-family homes and the gradual disappearance of traditional multigenerational living

arrangements (Ruggles). While the shift in our dominant conceptualization family structures is

not inherently a bad thing, it speaks to the power that generational identities have had to motivate

our decisions.

Evidence suggests that that generation gaps are a natural and necessary part of society

unless culture is to remain stagnant. However, the wide rifts and acrimonious disputes we often

experience can be avoided if both sides seek to cooperate with open minds. As Mrs. Hanson

suggests, we should strive to “​not have limiting opinions … In other words, if want to learn

from each other, we must learn to defend our perspectives without forgetting how to actually

listen.” ​Historians will also point out that knowledge gained through experience is irreplaceable,

and we would be remiss to continue disregarding lessons already learned by our predecessors.

There are also altruistic benefits to engaging with populations outside your constituent age

group, whether ensuring a brighter future for posterity, or alleviating feelings of isolation during

old age, or fostering solidarity among marginalized communities. Though each of those goals

presents a formidable challenge, ​I feel assured that relationships similar to the kind that I share

with my grandparents demonstrate that closing the gap between seniors and teenagers can help to

facilitate the exchange of valuable wisdom, strengthen community ties, and diminish ageism.

I felt especially drawn to this topic as the point of inquiry for my senior project because

as graduates, we dedicate a significant portion of our time to making plans; for most of us, we’ll

pursue goals driven by a desire to solve problems facing our world. The first piece of the puzzle

though, I believe, is understanding. As a lover of history, I spend a great deal of time thinking

about how the decisions made by our predecessors - from parents, to presidents, to distant

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ancestors - have shaped every aspect of the world we live in today. Though sometimes their

legacies are problematic, we must strive to reconcile the fact that while previous generations’

mistakes influence our day to day lives, in order to create a future we can be proud of, we must

also recognize when we have seen further by standing on the shoulders of giants, and learn from

their triumphs as well.

Works Cited

Adcox, Susan. “ Identifying Generational Differences and Their Causes” ​The Spruce. ​23 Oct.

2017 https://www.thespruce.com/looking-at-the-generation-gap-1695859. Accessed 13

Mar. 2018

Brunner, Eric. Intergenerational conflict and the political economy of school spending ​Journal

of Urban Economics​,​ ​Volume 56, Issue 2​, September 2004, Pages 369-388

Green, Hank. “Dear Young People, You Terrify Me.” ​YouTube.​ Captions by Isobelle Howell​ and

Shrushti Bhosale. 23 Feb. 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8cahYNRjVM

Accessed. 13 Mar. 2018

​Hanson, Yvonne. MA MFT, Walnut Creek CA. Personal Interview. 10 March 2018.

Harriss, Mark. “‘Gay Generation Gap’ Emerges.” ​NPR. ​28 June 2018.

https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=106027139 . Accessed

13 Mar. 2018

Lorde, Audre. “Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining ‘ Difference*” in Sister Outsider:

Essays and Speeches (Freedom, CA: Crossing Press, 1984), pp. 114 - 117

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Prasad, Ramaa. ​Generation Gap, a Sociological Study of Inter-generational Conflicts​. Mittal

Publications, 1992.

Quiggin, John. "'Millennial' Means Nothing." ​New York Times​, 7 Mar. 2018, p. A27(L). ​Student

Resources in Context​,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A530066691/SUIC?u=wal55317&xid=8ea7a5ae.

Accessed 12 Mar. 2018.

Ryan, Victoria. Director, LITA of Contra Costa. Personal Interview. 10 March 2018.

Welty, Gordon. "The 'Generation Gap' Reconsidered." ​Global Youth, Peace, and Development:

The Role of Science and Technology in Contemporary Society​, Yedla C. Simhadri (ed),

Delhi: Ajanta Publications, Vol. 1 (1991), pp. 383-399.

Works Consulted

Brokaw, Tom. ​The Greatest Generation.​ R​andom House Trade Paperbacks. 2001

Chandra, Aleksandr. “Mending Maya.” ​Youtube​. TedX Talks. 12 May 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhC1BYP67fU Accessed 13 Mar. 2018

Grote, Carl. “Climate Change Policy: A Nearsighted Failure.” ​American Security Project.​ 27

July 2012.

https://www.americansecurityproject.org/climate-change-policy-a-nearsighted-failure/

Accessed 13 Mar. 2018

Ruggles, Steven. “The Decline of the Multigenerational Family.” UN Department of Economic

& Social Affairs. N.D

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http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/bulletin42_43/ruggles.pdf Accessed 13

Mar. 2018

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