In the 1960s, generation gap gained attention in a sociological theory. Generation gap is the age gap and the difference in cultural views leading to lack of understanding between people belonging to different age groups. As defined in the Cambridge dictionary “a situation in which older and younger people do not understand each other because of their different experiences, opinions, habits, and behavior” (dictionary.cambridge.org, 2020)
The generation gap is not widely recognized as a significant issue on a global scale due to parallel language constraints, creating a communication barrier. However, the issue remains unacknowledged, despite its presence, in society and restricts people from different geographical backgrounds from easily assimilating into new environments, primarily due to differences in customs and rituals. One might often wonder why the never-ending debate over which culture is best persists. The answer lies in the generation gap, and if no action is taken, it might lead to problems at an international level. Issues can also arise within a nation as individuals from different schools of thought, often with significant age differences, no longer see situations in the same light, leading to opposition even when neither party is inherently wrong.
“Generational differences fuel much of current social and political tension in Western Europe and the United States over globalization, nationalism and immigration, according to an in-depth analysis of results from the Pew Global Attitudes surveys.” (Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, 2004)
Very few research works and surveys have addressed this issue, which is increasing day by day, and despite its significance, little attention is given to the matter. The goal of this research paper is to create awareness about the growing generation gap in our societies.
Different countries hold varying views on the generation gap. I have observed that substantially developed countries see it as an issue while the underdeveloped countries do not believe its existence. As when I tried to find more about the gap and ask people around me about it the most common response I received, from people mostly in their late thirties or above, was that no such thing as the generation gap exists and regarded it is a made up phenomena to justify themselves saying that the trends have changed while everything is still the same. However, teenagers and people in their twenties agreed that customs and traditions have changed thus creating the gap. Even though the younger generation believed in this gap they did not give it much importance to think of ways to overcome it.
In today’s families’ the number of conflicts is increasing and there is lack of understanding between parents and children due to age and perspective differences. Since people from different religions and beliefs are living in the same society, they tend to gradually adapt each others as it is a part of human nature and that is where variances start to develop between households and individuals.
The relationship between parents and children has also become frail as working parents are overburdened at work and rarely find the time and energy to sit and talk with their children one-on-one. Parents cannot be solely held responsible for this gap, instead it is a two-sided problem as teenagers and children enjoy the company of gadgets more than interacting with their parents.
The thinking of today`s generation is quite different from that of someone from two three decades ago. The Southeast Asia is the area which had a conservative society but with the passage of time it has evolved, and the coming generation holds views opposite of those of their ancestors. Today, women are encouraged to speak up for justice, which clashes with traditional gender roles.
“Distance, cultural norms, and bias against girls’ education have a serious impact on the participation of girls in education, especially at the middle school level and above. The issue is particularly acute in Diamer, and to some extent in Astore, that perform poorly on girls’ education due to a more pronounced gender bias.” (THE STATE OF CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN THE STATE OF CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN, 2015)
The generation gap is also increasing not only because of the lack of communication but also because the coming generations are losing respect for their elders as they think their knowledge is superior to that of their parents and elders. Rapid changes in mobility and society also contribute to the gap, as individuals from previous generations struggle to adapt to new technologies and ways of life, a common human trait that resists change.
There are many other factors that contribute to the widening generation gap, but the main reason is the difference in ideology between older people and the younger generation. Most people in the Southeast Asia traditionally hold conservative mindsets and do not approve of the younger generation’s independence and their ability to make decisions for themselves without consultation.
The consequences of the generational and cultural gaps are far-reaching as they effect households and leave their mark on generations to follow.
These cultural differences may also result in divorces in some cases i.e., if one of thepartners belongs to a modern family while the other grew up in a conservative and strict household. These differences make it challenging for different generations to live under the same roof, so children usually move out of the house and prefer not keeping in touch with ny parent. As the children tend to find it difficult to choose one parent, so they simply end up disconnecting from both.
Children these days strongly oppose physical abuse but, even in the 21st century, you can find households in the Southeast Asia where women are abused every day and they do not speak for themselves while the children try to encourage them to take action but alas because of how they have been brought up they choose to remain silent. Gradually, their children give up and to avoid having to witness the abuse at home they try to spend very little time at home which limits their interaction with their parents.
Concepts like feminism and women empowerment are also the root cause of arguments between families settled in rural areas as the younger generations believe that girls should be given the opportunity to study too whereas their elders have totally opposite views and like to keep their women in a four walled cage.
In the cultures followed in Southeast Asia festivals like Eid, Dewali etc are to be celebrated together with our loved ones but because of the distances between us we send greetings through social media instead of taking out some time and gathering somewhere.
Along with growing apart and avoiding each other on happy occasions. We have stopped supporting each other in times of grief. The only way to console each other in this generation is sending a text message while our ancestors never approved of it. They believed that the only way to console each other is going to them and staying with them through the hard time.
“Today, understanding the reality of the existing gap of generation has become a problem and concern for both parents and children since parents’ attitude about shared values is not so same as children’s one. These beliefs and values are so sacred before parents while these are not acceptable for children; therefore, this difference related to problems and gaps between generations is shaped.” (Behroozi and Pashakhanlu, 2016)
The generation gap results in various consequences, with one of the most significant being the growing disconnection between children and parents. Even if they are not in regular communication, the parent-child relationship is a strong and unbreakable bond, and the absence of contact affects individuals both mentally and emotionally.
As we can observe in the Southeast Asia that children many teens have gotten away from their parents and avoid sitting in the same room as their parents, feel embarrassed by their parents’ presence in front of their friends’. Along with that teens also like to spend time alone on their phones which results in no family time. This is the generation gap and action should be taken as soon as possible to resolve this issue as it is creating an alarming situation.
This paper presents how arguments are converting into disputes over the years. Parents’ burden, expectations of the society forcing certain careers upon their children and as a result they are left lost and suffered. This ultimately creates a gap between them.
In a nutshell, we find that the gap between two generations tremendously develops and both parties find it crucial to grapple this transformation.
I believe this is a two-sided problem and both parents and children are responsible for it and to overcome it both parties will have to coordinate and adjust accordingly. They need to realize that others may have opinions too. The main causes are the effects of technology as the previous generations are unable to adapt the advancement. However, with time, the evolution of higher levels of education has developed a sense of superiority in kids and teens.
The consequences of the generation gap are significant. It impacts relationships and family dynamics, often leading to members moving away to other cities or countries. This research was conducted to emphasize that if we don’t address this problem soon, our society may further diverge and not be able to stand the power of the enemy, as this scenario is becoming increasingly common in the Southeast Asia.
The increasing generation gap is significant emerging issue in our society these days, which has not gained attention. The purpose of this research paper is to create awareness about the generation gap and the lack of understanding between children and parents. It is the main reason of growing distances between us, but alas little work has been done on this topic. It is essential that we address this issue to ensure the unity and strength of our society in the face of external challenges.
Reference list
Aggarwal, M., Rawat, M.S., Srivastava, S., Singh, S. and Gauba, P. (2017). 973 Generation Gap: An Emerging Issue of Society. [online] Research Gateway. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320183778_973_Generation_Gap_An_Emerging_Issue_of_Society [Accessed 3 Nov. 2019].
Behroozi, M. and Pashakhanlu, R. (2016). Abnormal and Behavioural Psychology. [online] Available at: https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/surveying-the-gap-of-generation-between-two-generations-ofmothers-and-high-school-girl-students-in-bushehr-city-regarding-theircom-2472-0496-1000124.php?aid=82666 [Accessed 27 Aug. 2020]. dictionary.cambridge.org. (2020). THE GENERATION GAP | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. [online] Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/generation-gap [Accessed 6 May 2020].
THE STATE OF CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN THE STATE OF CHILDREN IN PAKISTAN. (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.mohtasib.gov.pk/images/pdfs/SOCP.pdf [Accessed 10 Nov. 2019].
Wikipedia Contributors (2019). Generation gap. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_gap [Accessed 10 Nov. 2019