by Ayesha Parveen 27 Sep 2008
Category: Lifestyle.
Category: Lifestyle.
This story has been read 4283 times.
Differences between the older and the younger generations are inevitable to a certain extent because each has its own set of challenges and experiences. However, it is often seen that these differences snowball into disregard for one another and can sometimes, unfortunately, create hostility within a family.
The younger ones bring in new ideas and the old, generally wary of change, are not receptive to a new way of life. As people age, all the more so if they get scarred by the numerous experiences they have had, they tend to lose their confidence to try out something new, as well as the courage to move beyond their comfort-zone. This might be the reason why in India, some parents and parents-in-law still do not approve of women earning or of men doing house-hold work.
The members of the older generation often complain that those of the younger generation are hasty and love to experiment with life, heedless of the consequences. This is true in some cases when young people have ruined their lives due to reckless or irresponsible behaviour. But, on the other hand, progress is possible only because some people do experiment with life and dare to usher in changes. The difference between disaster and success is in the purpose of application of that daring confidence and not in the age of the doers.
So, what can be the solution? Since both the old and the young live in the same family, trying to understand one another and making allowances for each other’s idiosyncrasies can work wonders. However, more important than that, is, in my opinion, the young realizing that they too will age some day, as well as for the old to remember their own fault-filled younger days. The young are here because the old raised them; the older generation’s success lies in making the young able to shoulder the responsibilities of life.
From the old, the young can learn universal values like integrity, patience and forgiveness which together often form the corner-stone off success in a person’s life.Other than passing down these moral values, the older generation can also provide practical help. Often we see children are engrossed in games in ‘play-stations’ which encourage violence and dishonesty. If parents or grandparents are there to give company to these children, the little ones get a chance to talk, ask questions and perhaps, also find it easier to know the difference between right and wrong.
From the young, the old can learn to welcome positive change. Often I have heard aging parents tell their children that they are happy to see the latter enjoy better quality of life and live in a more progressive society than they could themselves. By accepting change, the old also clear their own minds of out-dated customs, thwarting social-conditionings and dysfunctional norms.
Life can be said to be an ever-evolving, dynamic phenomenon. In this multi-faceted experience called life, the old and the young should reach out to one another; the old, to pass over the mantle, and the young, to accept it in able hands in order to make a better world, a new world.
As Alfred Tennyson has said in his poem, “The Passing of Arthur”:
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”
ayeshacgs@hotmail.com
The younger ones bring in new ideas and the old, generally wary of change, are not receptive to a new way of life. As people age, all the more so if they get scarred by the numerous experiences they have had, they tend to lose their confidence to try out something new, as well as the courage to move beyond their comfort-zone. This might be the reason why in India, some parents and parents-in-law still do not approve of women earning or of men doing house-hold work.
The members of the older generation often complain that those of the younger generation are hasty and love to experiment with life, heedless of the consequences. This is true in some cases when young people have ruined their lives due to reckless or irresponsible behaviour. But, on the other hand, progress is possible only because some people do experiment with life and dare to usher in changes. The difference between disaster and success is in the purpose of application of that daring confidence and not in the age of the doers.
So, what can be the solution? Since both the old and the young live in the same family, trying to understand one another and making allowances for each other’s idiosyncrasies can work wonders. However, more important than that, is, in my opinion, the young realizing that they too will age some day, as well as for the old to remember their own fault-filled younger days. The young are here because the old raised them; the older generation’s success lies in making the young able to shoulder the responsibilities of life.
From the old, the young can learn universal values like integrity, patience and forgiveness which together often form the corner-stone off success in a person’s life.Other than passing down these moral values, the older generation can also provide practical help. Often we see children are engrossed in games in ‘play-stations’ which encourage violence and dishonesty. If parents or grandparents are there to give company to these children, the little ones get a chance to talk, ask questions and perhaps, also find it easier to know the difference between right and wrong.
From the young, the old can learn to welcome positive change. Often I have heard aging parents tell their children that they are happy to see the latter enjoy better quality of life and live in a more progressive society than they could themselves. By accepting change, the old also clear their own minds of out-dated customs, thwarting social-conditionings and dysfunctional norms.
Life can be said to be an ever-evolving, dynamic phenomenon. In this multi-faceted experience called life, the old and the young should reach out to one another; the old, to pass over the mantle, and the young, to accept it in able hands in order to make a better world, a new world.
As Alfred Tennyson has said in his poem, “The Passing of Arthur”:
“The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.”
ayeshacgs@hotmail.com
