6 Tips to Fill The Generation Gap Between Parent and Child

The ages between parents and their children are often large enough that they experienced their most impressionable years during a different culture than each other. Adolescence is often the time when people are most influenced by society around them and as our world keeps developing and changing, things rarely stay the same, causing generation gaps between parents and their children. While it may seem frustrating and impossible to get out of such issues, it is actually quite redeemable. By acknowledging why generation gaps occur, we can easily get to the how to solve the generation gap in families very easily.

What Is a Generation Gap?

Since time is ever moving forward and change is inevitable, the values, tastes and outlook on life are different with each generation. It is this difference that is called a generation gap. In simpler terms, according to Cambridge Dictionary, when older and younger people find it hard to connect because they’ve lived through different times and have their own unique perspectives and ways of doing things, a generational is created (1). This often causes a lack of communication and understanding between the two generations since their view of the world was coloured by how society functioned during their adolescence.

Types of Generations

These types of generations will help you get a close up on the attributes and characteristics of particular generations and give you an idea on why they behave how they behave (2).

1. Traditionalists (Born: 1928-1945)

Also known as the Silent Generation, they experienced the Great Depression and World War II. Traditionalists value loyalty, hard work, and respect for authority. They often prioritise stability and conformity.

2. Baby Boomers (Born: 1946-1964)

Characterised by a post-war surge in births, Baby Boomers witnessed significant cultural shifts, such as the civil rights movement and the rise of television. They tend to be competitive, optimistic, and value personal achievement and material success.

3. Generation X (Born: 1965-1980)

Often referred to as the latchkey generation, Gen Xers grew up during a period of societal upheaval, including rising divorce rates and economic uncertainty. They are known for their independence, adaptability, and scepticism towards authority and institutions.

4. Millennials (Born: 1981-1996)

Raised in the digital age, Millennials are tech-savvy, socially conscious, and value work-life balance. They are characterised by their optimism, desire for personal fulfillment, and penchant for entrepreneurship and innovation.

5. Generation Z (Born: 1997-2012)

Also known as the iGen or Digital Natives, Generation Z is the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital era. They are highly connected, diverse, and socially conscious, often prioritising authenticity and inclusivity. They are adept at navigating a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Why Does the Generation Gap Exist Between Parents and Children?

Here are a few causes of the generation gap between parents and children:

1. Lack Of Understanding

Different generations sometimes seem to speak a different language. Due to the changes in society from when parents were growing up to how it is in the time of their children, even their way of thinking and what they deem to be normal tends to be different.

2. Mistakes Are Rarely Tolerated

Parents often do not tolerate mistakes and tend to tell their children off. Children need to make mistakes to learn and grow in life, but if they only get punished for it, it widens the gap and creates a lack of proper communication.

3. Children Are Expected to Be Replicas

Parents often have dreams for their kids, and a lot of the time, tend to force them in that direction without taking into consideration what their child wants, creating a huge generation gap between child and parents.

4. Too Many Comparisons

Comparing children to each other or even to how you were as a child is another reason the gap becomes wide. This often causes them to lose confidence in themselves and can destroy any enthusiasm they may have previously had.

5. Not Enough Interaction

Due to the responsibilities of being an adult and the stress that comes from work life, parents often find themselves too tired to spend enough time with their kids every day. This causes a lack of communication and interaction that widens the generation gap.

How to Bridge the Generation Gap Between Parents and Their Children?

Here are a few tips to help bridge the generation gap between parents and their children:

1. Keep an Open Mind

The way that kids think is different from how parents do. Parents often feel that because they have already been the age their child is currently, they understand how their child thinks. The truth is, the world and way of life were different then than it is now, and their mindset will be very different and can also be shocking for some parents. This is why keeping an open mind and not assuming that they must be just like you were at their age is very important. You must also understand that there are some things that are acceptable in society and, therefore, acceptable to your child that may not have been acceptable when you were the same age. It is especially in those areas where parents need to try and keep an open mind so they can better understand their children.

2. Communicate

Making the time to communicate with your kids every day is very important. The simple act of talking about each other’s day at the end of the day can help you get to know each other and make it easier to speak freely around the other. Children need to know they can approach their parents with anything, something that can ultimately give parents peace of mind since they do not need to worry about their children hiding things that are important.

3. Listen

Parents need to allow their kids time to talk without interruption and listen to what they have to say. Learning your child’s thoughts and opinions makes them feel like what they want or feel matters to you, which in turn makes them feel much closer to you than before. Having a parent who listens as well instead of only talking and lecturing will give your child more encouragement to listen to you in return.

4. Understand

With listening comes understanding, and this means that you have to learn to put yourself in your child’s shoes and try to understand how they feel and what they want from what they tell you. If you are able to understand where your child is coming from, you will be able to close that generation gap to some extent.

5. Unconditional Love

Love can cross boundaries and bring people together if acted upon. So show your children how much you love them. This unconditional love and support that they get from you is very encouraging and makes children more inclined to show that same love and understanding back.

6. Compromise

People can disagree on things, no matter how close to each other they are. Parents and children are no different; however, rather than forcing them into your way of thinking or forcing them to do what you want them to do when they don’t want to, learn to compromise when possible. There are times when you need to put your foot down with your children, but coming to a compromise instead of dictating their every move will make them closer to you and make that generation gap a little smaller.

FAQs

1. What is the most easiest way to diminish a generation gap between children and parents?

One of the most effective way to do away with the generation between you and your child is by listening to them actively and understanding their point of view with empathy. When you put them in their shoes, you’ll understand their perspective and then you can counter their point more easily and calmly with the right points. When you make your points, remember not to belittle them, but make them feel heard and valued.

2. Why is it important to address the generational gap?

With changes in daily lives, each generation faces their own set of changes and challenges which cannot be same as ever. Acknowledging generation gap will help with acknowledging the changes people of different age gaps face and be respectful toward them.

3. What a generation gap have an effect on children?

Generational gap can create difference of opinions and perspectives on anything from very trivial to important matters, building misunderstandings and conflicts therafter. 

This article on the generation gap between parents and children is just what you need if you have been struggling to have a better relationship with your child. Remember that it is important to understand that they have their own thoughts and opinions and being patient and loving will help to close the generation gap that causes distance between a parent and child.

References/Resources:

1. The generation gap; Cambridge Dictionary; https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/generation-gap

2. Leaping the Generational Gap; Children’s Wisconsin; https://childrenswi.org/-/media/chwlibrary/files/medical-professionals/careers/students/nursing-students/preceptors/leapingthegenerationalgap.pdf

Also Read:

Parent Child Relationship
Positive Discipline Strategies for Kids
Effective Ways to Teach Humanity to Your Child
Negative Discipline Techniques That Parents Should Avoid