Identifying Generational Differences and Their Causes

Many grandparents grew up in an era of angry confrontations between the generations. As they ease into the role of family patriarchs and matriarchs, they may wonder: What happened to the generation gap? Is it gone? Or it is still present but mostly underground?

Definition of the Generation Gap

A generation gap is commonly perceived to refer to differences between generations that cause conflict and complicate communication, creating a "gap." Word maven William Safire provides this more positive definition: "Generation gap can be a frustrating lack of communication between young and old, or a useful stretch of time that separates cultures within a society, allowing them to develop their own character." From their position in the family, and with more life experience than younger family members, grandparents see that differences between generations can be positive for all those concerned.

History of the Generation Gap

Although there have always been differences between the generations, the drastic differences that the term implies were not much in evidence until the twentieth century. Before that time, society was not very mobile. Young people typically lived near their extended families, worshiped in their childhood churches and often worked on the family farm or in a family business. With the advent of television and movies, young people were exposed to cultural influences alien to their own families and cultures. Performers like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and James Dean won adulationfrom the younger generation but were often met with derogation from the older generation. Then came the the 1960s, and civil rights and the Vietnam War exposed a more serious chasm between young and old.

The Generation Gap Today

The generation gap that was so in evidence during the 60s has resurfaced, but it is not the disruptive force that it was during the Vietnam era, a2009 study suggests. The Pew Research Center study found that 79% of Americans see major differences between younger and older adults in the way they look at the world. In 1969, a Gallup Poll found that a smaller percentage, 74%, perceived major differences. Today, however, although more Americans see generational differences, most do not see them as divisive. That is partly because of the areas of difference. The top areas of disagreement between young and old, according to the Pew Research Study, are use of technology and taste in music. Slightly behind these areas of difference are listed the following:

· Work ethic

· Moral values

· Respect for others

· Political views

· Attitudes toward different races and groups

· Religious beliefs.

Differences But Little Division

If large differences between the generations exist, why don't they spawn conflict? The answer is twofold. First, the two largest areas of difference - technology and music - are less emotionally charged than political issues. The older generation is likely to be proud of the younger generation's prowess in technology rather than to view it as a problem. As for the musical differences, each generation wants its own style of music, and the older generation generally can relate to that desire. Second, in the other areas of difference, the younger generation tends to regard the older generation as superior to their own generation - clearly a difference from the 1960s with its rallying cry of "Don't trust anyone over thirty." According to the Pew study, all generations regard older Americans as superior in moral values, work ethic and respect for others.

I. Find the equivalents in the text:

Знаток формулировок; кардинальные различия; поклонение; пренебрежение; пропасть; заметный; снова заставить о себе говорить; порождать; двойственный; вызывающий меньше эмоций; мастерское владение технологиями.

II. Answer the questions:

1) Which definition of the generation gap do you like more and why?

2) Do you feel the generation gap in your family, at school, in the families of your friends?

3) In which sphere given in the text is the generation gap more likely to exist?

4) What, do you think, the ways to bridge the generation gap?

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