Generation Gap

 Geration Gap means the gap between different persons born in different time periods.  Also, we can understand it as to how one generation varies from the other. Since the time is changing, human-beings have evolved and become more advanced and developed than the earlier ones. This is what has created the Generation Gap.

Age is one big reason for the natural gap in attitude between generations. However, the major issue arrives due to the mental gap in terms of thinking pattern & current trends. Children believe that they are grown-ups and they feel that it is high time for them to be independent. This helps them to gain more self-esteem.

Thus, misunderstanding is a great cause for the formation of the generation gap. They talk about some issues that can cause tension between teenagers and parents: homework, sibling fights, boundaries and trust.

Competence in technical skills is also an important factor. How technology affects the generation gap is impacted by how well older people can learn and use new technology. This tends to be easy for Millennials or the younger generation, and many older people become left behind when things move too fast in terms of technology.

The ages between parents and their children are often large enough that they experienced their most impressionable years during a different culture than each other. Adolescence is often the time when people are most influenced by the society around them and as our world keeps developing and changing, things rarely stay the same, causing generation gaps between parents and their children.

Well, this gap is very natural as a matter of fact. But is it friendly or creating worries in the parent-child relationship today?  Unfortunately, it has been seen to have an adverse effect on the relations between the kids and their parents. The two generations have conflicts in opinions, ideologies, traditions, and customs.

Each generation has their own beliefs, attitudes, a way of thinking, work ethics and preferences. The generational differences go beyond the difference of age. Social, economic, environmental, political, and technological differences impact each of these generations and how they learn.

While the former have traditional ways of thinking, the latter refuses to accept them. Thus, it is very important to bridge this gap to develop a strong bond of love and happiness in families. 

Effect of Generation-Gap on Relations

As time has passed, the youth have also developed modern ways of thinking and living. Many a time, these changes do not conform to the thinking, belief, and expectations of the parents. They want their children to follow their advice and guidelines.

However, youth is full of energy and enthusiasm. They want to explore the world. They develop a judgemental attitude. Although, they are taught to believe in some things, they refuse to do so. They are ready to accept anything only on the basis of apt rationale and logic behind it.

The ideas differ and so the conflict arises. Parents feel that their children do not listen to them. Also, children feel that their parents do not understand them. These factors cause strain in the parent-child relationship.

How to Bridge This Gap?

The generation gap is an issue that can be resolved smoothly if both generations try to understand each others' views and opinions. We can fill the gap between the two generations through acceptance and understanding. The following factors can help:

-an open mind

-communication

-listening

-understanding

Both the generations have their respective experiences and perspectives, they are bound to have different opinions and points of view regarding various aspects of life such as career choices, lifestyle, and much more. So, accepting that differences are normal and that anyone has a right to their own belief can help in bridging this generation gap. 

Arshida. A. P.

I B. A. Functional English