A difference in opinions, values, attitudes and lifestyle among people of
different ages is called 'generation gap'. Due to these differences,
people belonging to different generations find themselves unable to
relate to each other. This communication gap between successive
generations is not a new phenomenon. The fight between the old and the
young is not new and has been bound in the culture of every nation of
the world. Parents and children across the world have been facing this problem. Due to fast-paced modern lifestyles, parents and children
hardly find time together. The children, thus unable to express their
thoughts and ideas to their parents, turn to friends for advice who are
as inexperienced as they are. In the era of globalization and
liberalization, the gap between the young the old reached its zenith.
Today's children
are born into a competitive world and have a struggle to get every
thing. Many a time their true potential gets overshadowed in the rat
race. Parents- burdened by the expectations of the society- end up
forcing certain subjects and careers and lives that their parents have
chosen for them, children are left lost and confused. Parents, on the
other hand, feel that in this rapidly changing society where everyone is
so self-centered, it is their duty to protect their children. Parents
tend to feel that their children require guidance. This cannot be
denied. But their constant monitoring makes children feel oppressed and
they tend to turn rebellious.
Thus, generation
gap is destroying the basic human relationship and is obviously a threat
to the social stability of family relations. It is essential for
parents to talk to their children and treat them as individuals. To be
forever treated as child can be irritating and sometimes even
humiliating. Children, in turn, must reciprocate with due respect and
attention. Matters such as career, lifestyle and sensitive issues like
freedom of choice of friends must be dealt with carefully and with
maturity. Love and understanding are the best antidotes to this
ever-widening generation gap. Only then will children look up to their
parents and parents will not be
burdened with their guilt of not being there for their children in their
hour of need. In this way generation gap can at least be narrowed, if
not completely filled.
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