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Talkin’ ‘bout your generation

by SHOLEH PATRICK
| September 27, 2022 1:00 AM

The Who classic nailed it: Generations just don’t get one another. But we could.

As modern philosopher Criss Jami said, “We often hear about stepping outside ourselves, but rarely about stepping outside our generation.”

Once upon a time in America, families were closer — literally. Practicalities of shared work, transportation barriers, and limited finances more often kept generations not only in the same area, but on the same property. From babies to great grandparents, daily life was lived together. That changed radically after industrialization, especially in the last 50 years.

We’ve lost something.

September is Intergeneration Month, meant to refocus communication among generations, understanding, sharing, and recognizing what each has to offer. Essentially launched by the Intergeneration Foundation in 1987 and joined by scores of organizations including libraries, corporations, health groups, museums, and universities, the movement is slowly gaining ground. Forty-three governors have declared Intergeneration Days.

History aside, the point is to rediscover the value of mixing among age groups. Of seeking to understand others more than to be understood by them; of finding joy with, respect for, and different kinds of wisdom and perspectives from, each generation. All things which happened more naturally when we lived and worked as one group, instead of so separately.

Children remind us of the pleasure of fresh experiences, of living in the moment, of returning to joy easily and in simple things.

Teenagers and young adults show us the transformative value of active minds, of questioning everything to learn more, of passion’s role in action and change.

Middle ages exemplify the value of hard work and perseverance, drive and dedication at home and work. Of balancing competing demands on life and self, and caring actively for others.

Society’s older members can model the importance of patience and withheld judgment, what experience offers in decision making, and how to let go of what doesn’t matter or what can’t be changed. (Not to mention sharing lesser-known family anecdotes or surprising stories lost to time.)

Each generation has its value. Kept separate from one another, interacting less often, each misses out on what the others bring to life’s table. Worse, stereotypes invade attitudes and negatively impact intergenerational relationships.

A more intergenerational life is potentially a richer one, no matter one’s age.

Hundreds of studies in intergenerational research have been conducted here and abroad. Many indicate increased life satisfaction and better quality of life with more intergenerational connections, according to a review published in Frontiers in Psychology [Canedo-Garcia et. al. (2017) “A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Intergenerational Programs”].

Consider some of the programs instituted by governments, care homes, and communities designed to return intergenerational connectivity. Daycares are brought to senior living facilities, with both sides reporting better happiness levels and behavior outcomes. In facilities in some European countries and a few U.S. states, college students or new immigrants can live at reduced cost in assisted living homes in exchange for helping and interacting with residents, with good results.

Inflation being what it is, more adults are living with parents, and more parents are relying on grandparents to help care for children. It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts American society from an intergenerational standpoint.

So before we run out of September, consider strengthening intentions to interact more with family and friends in other age groups. Maybe we can learn something new about ourselves in others and feel enriched by it.

“Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that came before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.” — George Orwell

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who’s learned just enough to know she has a lot to learn from others. Email Sholeh@cdapress.com.