GENERATION GAP

It is a well-known fact that people were born in different years and time. They belong to different generations which shape their individuality. This phenomenon manifests that difference among people who were born in different time is certain. They vary in names, characteristics, preferences, values and beliefs.

Generation is a term made to identify and classify the groups of people who are born and lived at the same age and time. According to Karen M. Cullough, people who lived and survived from the War Era between 1922 and 1945 were called “Traditionalist” or Silent generation, or the Veterans or the Greatest Generations. For them, respect for authority, rules for order and following directions are all that matter. They were raised sitting around a radio with their family and listening to stories.

Those born roughly between 1946 and 1964 were marked as the Baby Boomers”. They were termed as “flower power” generation who value relationships, since they did not grow up with technology running their lives making phone calls and writing letters, but as they grow older, they became fluent in technology and now use cell phones and tablets which they use as productivity tools instead of connectivity.

Thereafter, individuals born from 1965 to 1976 were named and classified as the “Generation X”. According to Psychology today, this generation is also known as the “sandwich” generation, which are lodged in between the two big well-known generations, the Baby Boomers and the Millennials. Children are considered the first “day care” generation since many were raised by two parents who worked or by a single divorced parent. They delayed marriage and childbearing to focus on developing themselves first.

Furthermore, as the civilization evolves and advancement takes, the cohort that succeeded the Gen X is the Generation Y or the well-known Millennials. This group of individuals are those who were born from 1977 to i995. These are the young technology gurus who are after the new innovations, start –ups and working out of coffee shops. The Millennials grew up making rules rather than having their parents tell them what is right and their lives are now run by gadgets, their third appendage.

Following the series, the generation next is the Generation Z or the so called centennials. Here, it includes people who were born in 1996 and later. There’s not a lot of data yet, but we do know that these toddlers are already hooked on technology.

Age difference creates a drift in thinking which in turn created a change in actions in one generation which may or may not be acceptable to other generations. This drift is called generational gap. It is usually the cause of conflict of the two cohorts. It has been observed that when in a conversation adult tends to be more authoritative and better judge for they are more experienced and knowledgeable about things and in life. Hence, the young generation is often made to feel like the culprit. This circumstance causes both parties to clash and become upset.

At this juncture, it should be understood that people are born in different ages and are bound to be different from one another. Let us respect each other for their individuality rather than imposing ideas and beliefs on each other. People should acknowledge and accept the basic idea of inevitable differences in opinions, values, tastes, outlook and preferences. Lastly, instead of finding flaws in other generation, why don’t we refrain and accept that people are individually different and are not in the same trend.