Bridging the generation gap
I was watching an interview with Javed Akhtar (famous script writer and lyricist in India) yesterday. His views on generation gap left a lasting impression on me. He says "The gap exists because of a lack of respect. Both ways. Parents have to realize and accept that their children (younger people) do know something that they don't. Likewise, children need to understand that their parents know something that they don't.Once you realize this... you will feel the gap disappear."
My version of the same would be
"Parents, no matter how hard it is, have to realize inspite of their older age that the younger lot may know something that they don't. Children too, as have been rightly told for generations, need to understand that their parents know things that they don't. Once you realize this... you will feel the gap disappear. "
Enlightening don't you think?
Comments
I had always felt that "a generation gap " exists, but it need not be. I agree that my parents know and understand some things that I don't. But, my parents have often been ready to talk to me as a friend, as a person about what they know, and what they wanted to know from me."
I feel knowing and respecting is not enough. I feel that young shouldn't be saying " mum, its my life, why you bother?" . All of us, irrespective of age, must have open ears to listen. the "new generation" is smart enough to plan their lives fast, but they should also heed to warning signs.
Further, they should also understand that parents are "Human". they should respect the human values, give them consideration and shoulder responsibilities for them too. Young cannot always be individualistic.
- lack of open communication between parent and youth
- lack of mutual respect
- lack of willingness to see things from the other person's perspective
- compulsive desire to control
When communication breaks down between parent and child, both are losers and it is a sad situation. I personally feel that the onus to bridge generation gap lies more with the parent than with the child. Parents should realize that their children are moving towards a brave new world. They should be encouraged, not hindered.
As far as the young generation is concerned, they should be aware that along with their new found freedom comes a whole lot of new responsibilities. As long as you are living at your parent's home, it is your responsibility to live by their rules. As long as your parents are paying your bills, they do have a say in how you spend their money. One can never ignore the fact that your parents love you and care for your well being more than any one else in this world! This thought alone will pave way to better understanding their words and actions.
-Sue
Kidding. I can't compare myself with Javed in a million years.... heh!
Very true about the communication bit!
itoo saw the interview!J's son was also there ;so that made it poignant;even more so for me now!
people tend to be involved;unable to detach,from anything they have cherished& nourished [plants,pets or kids]I once had some one telling me that her dogs were as good as my kids ie to suggest that she treated her dogs as good as i treat my kids
its not easy to break this involvement
its also not easy to sit back & say `let them make their own mistakes& learn their own lessons now that they r grown up'when you see red in a venture they may take
communication & lending a ear to all things new from any quarter can & will go a long way in bridging gaps{ANY}
as far as communicaion gap goes i guess its important for the parents and the children to understand that each one looks at a particular event with a different perspective. The difference in the perspective is often because of growing up in different circumstances which forms a backbone of our thought process or the way we react to different situations. what is required is to respect each others perspective(very idealistic but who said it was easy)
The entire string of words above is beautifully brought out in an HSBC ad i guess ...where a girl buys a pair of desgner jeans that are slit at the knees and the mother promptly stitches it up.wonder if uve seen it.
and as far as the similarity in thought process goes i heard javeds lookin for a job in sum ad firm!