| Generation Gap. Bridge it today, for, the river beneath | | | | From elders' perspective |
| awaits you | | | | - Give kids their space and worth since childhood |
| "Rohan...Why don't you understand what I am trying to | | | | - Involve them in decision making |
| say? | | | | - Let them socialize - this improves their thinking. |
| Mom.... You are too old fashioned to share my secrets | | | | - Teach them family values. How does a family stay |
| with. You and dad belong to that Chitra Gupta | | | | firm, together and lovable? |
| Maurya's era.... (Who???? History taught me | | | | - Educate yourself. Increase your awareness. |
| ChandraGupta Maurya!!!!...)...So please back off....." | | | | Awareness breeds development, at least, it sows |
| How often do we hear these conversations? This | | | | seeds of development |
| exchange of words (words?) between the two | | | | - Shoulder them responsibilities one at a time. |
| generations has never been so fervors as it is in the | | | | - Be patient with them |
| 21st century. This all started when the second | | | | - Before they go out of house searching for role |
| generation of mankind was initiated. First generation | | | | models, be one for them |
| people would lecture the second and the second, as a | | | | - Teach them the importance of a mentor in life |
| right, rebuke the first. The trend continues. What great | | | | - Allow them to make mistakes. Because you have |
| followers we are!!! | | | | done too. |
| Elders speak out of experience and foresight where | | | | Youngsters' perspective |
| as youngsters speak out of expectation and | | | | - Know that parents are important. Realize they have |
| confidence. Confidence in real sense is the belief that | | | | a valuable tool called experience |
| one can do anything. But, the hidden thing is that belief | | | | - There is nothing wrong in viewing world from our |
| comes from previous successful assignments. | | | | own eyes. But, reason what you are see. |
| Here are a few things which help explain the | | | | - When you reason, you can convince yourself. Once |
| difference in opinions between elders and youngsters | | | | you convince yourself, you can convince your parents |
| with reasons. | | | | - Always reason why you are doing what you are |
| Conservatism results after many humbling experiences | | | | doing. Because, when we do something there are a |
| in life, which cannot be put into words where | | | | few reactions that go on in our mind. |
| exuberance marks youthful make up. Elders' risk taking | | | | First, the excitement of doing that task overpowers |
| ability reduces because of the responsibilities they bear | | | | the purpose of doing it. |
| where as risk taking ability is very high because they | | | | Second, the effects (results) of doing that task take |
| assume little or no responsibilities. Elders become more | | | | center stagee.g., Cause: I get my funky hair style..... |
| cautious in their approach while the GENX act | | | | Effect: 13 out of 25 girls in my class will flock me. And I |
| cautiously mixing right amounts of aggression. Elders | | | | do not care about the rest. |
| always look for security and then success where as | | | | The super sharp gal in Arts will go out for a coffee |
| the GENX goes the other way. | | | | with me.....and then rest will be taken care of.... |
| Previous generations always think the whole new | | | | Third, the thought of how to do that task crosses the |
| generation is spoiled lot which is, more often than not, | | | | mind.... |
| untrue. The syndrome of I-could-not-do-it-so-he-will has | | | | Suddenly a fourth light passes through asking what |
| marred in India though this goes unseenfor major part | | | | happens if that task is not completed.... Again the |
| of the children's lives. If a Son or daughter does | | | | effects.... |
| something which is not in their acceptability limits, then a | | | | Fifth, my ego would be hurt if I do not do this. I am in a |
| world war is surely to be seen. | | | | way responsible for it. Am I? |
| Few areas where youngsters go wrong too.... | | | | Sixth, the world around seems like garbage....... |
| There are many things that young guys take up to | | | | Seventh, the sixth grade lessons by Morals teacher or |
| satisfy their ego and the best part is they will not be | | | | parents' come to halt the proceedings....STOP you |
| aware of that. Because someone has challenged | | | | should not do this.... |
| them on something, they have to do it. It might work | | | | This whole process takes place within a few seconds |
| sometimes. But, also bombs other times. They think the | | | | in the mind and we reach to a conclusion. More often |
| functional expiry date of elders is far gone. They take | | | | than not, it results in affirmative (to get the job done!!!) |
| parents to be no more than ATMs. They feel they are | | | | So, there is a guard at the check post inside each one |
| generations ahead of their parents where they are | | | | of us checking every time we cross the gate. It is |
| only one generation ahead. | | | | important that we reason with him too....This guard has |
| When I heard out of my dad's mouth, the story line of | | | | grown up hearing our parents, teachers and all who |
| the latest movie, I was startled. Many of us think our | | | | are responsible for us, have been telling. Many times |
| parents are out dated and are in no way sync with | | | | we neglect his voice and the irony is after 50 years |
| the present world. This is not true, at least in my case. | | | | we realize that we have not heard him. |
| How to cope up with this generation gap? | | | | |