It’s Just a Different Generation!

The generation gap so much discussed in the 60’s is still alive and well. I often hear stereotypical comments from each of the younger and older adult generations. For example, it’s common to hear someone from an older generation say, “The younger generation is so irresponsible and rebellious. They have no respect for authority or older people anymore. It’s just a different generation. Life is all about fun and games for them.”

Someone from a younger generation will then say, “The older generations are so out of touch. It’s a different world than when they were young. They can’t possibly understand what we have to deal with today. All they talk about is the way things used to be. It’s just a different generation.”

One thing they both agree upon: it’s just a different generation. While differences between generations are nothing new in human history, what has changed are the rapid cultural changes marking a growing relational and experiential gap between the generations. Add to that the explosion of the boomer generation population and the sudden shift to age segregation throughout society, and we have a dramatic and continuing generational divide that has widen, not shrunk.

What’s missing, of course, when we focus on our differences is the common ground by which generational connection may be cultivated. It is a challenge to find that common ground when our culture seems so driven to segregate the generations institutionally and relationally. Yet, such common ground is not an aberration. It exists and it can be harnessed to reduce the gap and build meaningful relationships.

Here are six areas of common ground that can help us close the gap. This is not an exhaustive list, but enough to help us begin the bridge-building.

1. We are all flawed. Young and old, we make mistakes and blow it regularly.
2. We all experience the same disappointments, hurts, and sorrows. The human condition is the same generation to generation.
3. We all want to be loved, valued and accepted, not for what we do, but for who we are. We want to hear words of blessing, not cursing. We want someone to believe in us.
4. We are all made in the image of God, our Creator. That means we are made for a purpose and given creative gifts to live out that purpose. As an image-bearer of the Creator of the universe, our life has a reason for being, and we want to succeed in it.
5. We all want to belong and know we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We were made for relationship, and that includes inter-generational relationships.
6. We all want hope for this life and beyond. We want to know how to persevere without losing the joy when life gets hard, and sleep when the storms come.

So what do these areas of common ground have to do with building bridges between generations? They are places of beginning—to start dialogue; to be real; to ask each other questions; to gain wisdom; to build trust; to see each other in a new light.

So, maybe we could start looking at each other in the glowing light of our common ground rather than the dark shadows of our differences. We may be different, but perhaps not as different as we first imagine.

What are ways you apply these common ground realities in building relationships with the other generations? What are you doing to intentionally build inter-generational relationships?