phttps://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/generation-xyz/
So, the Daily Post posed a question in their daily prompt that I found kind of interesting.
Think about the generation immediately younger or older than you. What do you understand least about them — and what can you learn from them?
This is something I actually pine over quite frequently. Being 43, I feel it is a constant struggle to exhaustedly bridge the gap between the generation above and below me. My parents generation was more of a selfless generation. They did all they could to earn a living and support their families. They had strong morals and convictions and there was no wiggle room for deviating in any direction. It was a time of the family. Family gatherings, family prayer and extended family get togethers. Now, they continue to care for their own parents who are aging and in need of their help. They spent an entire lifetime caring for others without ever thinking twice. So what can we learn from them? Selflessness is a gift that keeps on giving. Putting off your own needs to help out with needs of others can be the most rewarding and kindest thing you can do in a lifetime. The generation was dependable, hard working and kept problems within their family unit, sometimes keeping them only to themselves. I guess what I dont understand is how they sacrificed their own chance of living the life we all dream of.
I don’t know why it was so hard for them to find balance between living for themselves and living for others. I also find it hard to have conversations with them because they are very closed minded, set in their ways, often times not even willing to see something from a different perspective.
I also have two teenagers. What can I possibly say about this generation without completely offending them? They are a generation who likes to be edgy. They claim to be accepting of everything and anything yet they think nothing of ridiculing and judging their own parents on a daily basis. They are brave and bold and fearless to a point that is dangerous. They do not respect adults like other generations. They feel like they are on the same level and can say and do whatever they feel like. If they think a rule doesn’t make sense than they just don’t follow it. They challenge everything and everyone from their own parents and teachers even extending to the church. They are consumed with themselves as evidenced through excessive selfie taking sessions. They do as little as possible without going the extra mile to help anyone else. It’s not my problem is a common theme. Dare I suggest they are lazy? They don’t get up to mow the lawn or do the dishes or even clean their rooms because after all who can make them. If there’s no point to something in their own mind than why do it?
What could we possibly learn from them? They move at their own pace. They can’t be forced into doing something because someone thinks they should do it. They dont over extend themselves and they will have healthy hearts because they do not rush around or sacrifice their own needs for the needs of others. I worry because they don’t seem to have much common sense. Things like thinking outside of the box or even making change seems extrely difficult for them. They are a generation who has been entitled. They don’t know what it’s like to go to a library to look up information to write a paper. They don’t understand the concept of sacrificing one thing so they can have another. They want it all and why shouldnt they have it all? Everything is at their fingertips. They lack interpersonal skills because texting has taken the place of face to face conversations. They are as quick with their fingers as they are with their comments.
And my generation? It borders on both extremes. Between the rigid views of our parents and the liberal views of our children, how could we possibly please either? And further more, who has the energy to do it anyway? We overextend and over schedule. We are consumed by our children’s activities and competition has consumed our spirits. We work hard. We cater to our kids. We sleep.
For me personally, I feel frustrated and stuck. I feel like I’m in a no win situation and I don’t see improvement anywhere in sight. What about you? How would you answer the question?
anewperspectiveperhaps 