What do the Old & Young have to Offer Each Other?

[Delta40]

I was reading an article recently http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12523624 which really warmed my heart and I wondered about our own personal views about the young and old. What do you think you might learn from the other generation and what do you think you might offer?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Well, I'm liberal, so I usually just piss them off.

[Revolte]

I don't think the age matters for the most part. I would think anything anyone can offer anyone else would be based on differing experiences.

Nothing stays the same long enough for the wisdom of an older person to be applicable for the young person. At least in terms of social and political norms, including what's important to know and do.

However, if the older person experienced the same exact events the younger person is currently going through (or somehow knows is going to go through) then the wisdom would be applicable, assuming the outcome would be the same. But that could be said for another young person if they already experienced it, which still makes the age unimportant.

[Alexander III]

Well, I'm liberal, so I usually just piss them off.

Im quite sure our parents generations was rather Liberal, For a generation which was mainly conservative I think you have to look at the ones who fought in the war.

[cacian]

Interesting thread Delta40.
I think the way I see is that it does not matter what age you are and up to a certain of course.
The idea that we all learn from each other very true and to pint point the exact things we do learn is immaterial but HOW we actually learn from each other is more important.
In order to learn anything one must understand how to and be aware they will learn something because they set themselves that frame of mind.
The other most crucial thing is also not just about learning from each other but learning TOGETHER in order to learn about each other and that for me is the ultimate learning experience.
Learning is not a competition and deos not require tension or medals or who is right or wrong but more of how we go about learning as we interact with each other, regardless of age,and ultimately challenging who we are and the way we think in order to achieve understanding of ourselves and each other.
I think that for me answer the question of why we humans are here on this earth. It is a rite of passage to see if we can live with each and together accept who we are without having to destroy each other.

[Darcy88]

...............

[JuniperWoolf]

For one, the young defend the country. If it wasn't for young people, there would be no one strong, healthy, and impoverished enough who is able and willing to fight and die.

In general, old people make more money because they have lived long enough to finally land themselves in a position which pays well. To the young, they're able to give money to services that help the young become educated and to maintain healthy bodies so that they are able to become able-bodied, educated citizens. That's how a nation stays strong. Then those once-young people become the old people and the cycle continues.

[Lokasenna]

I really don't like the way we tend to socially segregate by age. Once you're an adult, then surely you are capable of getting on with any other adult?

One of my best friends is 37 years older than I am, and the time I spend with him is pretty much the same, in terms of character and discussion, as the time I spend with any of my friends in their twenties. One of my housemates, a young chap of 23, counts amongst his best friends a man who is nearly 90 - they're both musicians, and often perform together as well.

[Buh4Bee]

I think we can offer each other respect, but often I think age causes a great disconnect. Simply for the reason of being in different stages of life.

[Darcy88]

Several of my close friends are about twice my age. They offer knowledge and experience, I offer youthful passion and exuberance.

[tonywalt]

I have noticed that generation gaps have flattened since the 60's (this being broadly North America and Europe that I refer, as it's what I know).

My parents were Considerably older than me, which caused very different views and conflicts fueled heavily by the fact that I sent abroad for school (12 and up) creating distinct cultural differences.

I am impressed and not a little bit envious of the very young kids with cool parents today. I definately did not have that sort of relationship.

But as for my relationship with older people today, I value it more as time progresses - certainly on personal matters like marriage and long term career stuff. They have been there and done that and have more clarity.

[Buh4Bee]

I really don't like the way we tend to socially segregate by age. Once you're an adult, then surely you are capable of getting on with any other adult?

One of my best friends is 37 years older than I am, and the time I spend with him is pretty much the same, in terms of character and discussion, as the time I spend with any of my friends in their twenties. One of my housemates, a young chap of 23, counts amongst his best friends a man who is nearly 90 - they're both musicians, and often perform together as well.

I agree, I have a good friend who is 15 years older than myself and the age thing is not even noticed. I have often had friendships with people of different ages and my last friendships are the ones where their is a reciprocal relationship.

[The Kid]

I agree somewhat with what Lokasenna said about all adults having the ability to get on with each other, and I also think that all youth can get on with each other if they tried, no matter the difference in years.

But I don't think this applies for people from different age categories (in other words, not all adults can get on with youth and vice-versa). This is all coming from a youth (I am fourteen years old).

For example I have found truth in the stereotype that old people tend to be more stubborn, and so I am usually very polite and cautious with my opinions around older people so I don't offend them. This also stems from the common culture of respecting the elderly, who have more experiences than myself. But it's hard to really connect with anyone when you are not really honest with them about your opinions, so I think this is one reason it is hard to learn from them, and this is definitely one reason why it is hard for them (the elderly) to learn from youth and especially teenagers like myself. They are used to being the teachers, not the students.

Recently my elderly history teacher totally ridiculed me in front of my schoolmates because I disagreed with his opinions on the Vietnam War. He thought I was arguing with him and probably felt unseated by the fact that a fourteen year old was trying to express his personal opinions (the horror!!). I managed to keep my cool despite his insulting my intelligence, though my participation in class decreased sharply from that point (and because of it, my grade).

In this example my teacher (the elderly) was uninterested in listening because he felt his experience made him superior. On my part, my youthful sensitivity to criticism made it unable to possibly save our relationship by clarifying my position on the topic.

This is just one scenario. There are plenty of other ways that communication between ages is ruined (the rebellious youth, the older person who still thinks they're young, etc).

[Emil Miller]

I was reading an article recently http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12523624 which really warmed my heart and I wondered about our own personal views about the young and old. What do you think you might learn from the other generation and what do you think you might offer?

A good night out for 83-year-old Roy Hone normally sees him spending time at his local bowls club.

But while spending a week with 24-year-old beautician Zoe Day, he ended up in a gay bar in Southampton, singing karaoke into the early hours and trying his first "jagerbomb" - a cocktail where a shot of Jagermeister is dropped into a glass of Red Bull.

Jonny Rowland found the knitting group quite open about their younger sex lives. He says spending time with Zoe gave him "a new lease of life".
"I shall go back invigorated and I'm thinking of doing all sorts of things as a result," he says.


:lol: Viva Viagra!

[Paulclem]

I agree somewhat with what Lokasenna said about all adults having the ability to get on with each other, and I also think that all youth can get on with each other if they tried, no matter the difference in years.

But I don't think this applies for people from different age categories (in other words, not all adults can get on with youth and vice-versa). This is all coming from a youth (I am fourteen years old).

For example I have found truth in the stereotype that old people tend to be more stubborn, and so I am usually very polite and cautious with my opinions around older people so I don't offend them. This also stems from the common culture of respecting the elderly, who have more experiences than myself. But it's hard to really connect with anyone when you are not really honest with them about your opinions, so I think this is one reason it is hard to learn from them, and this is definitely one reason why it is hard for them (the elderly) to learn from youth and especially teenagers like myself. They are used to being the teachers, not the students.

Recently my elderly history teacher totally ridiculed me in front of my schoolmates because I disagreed with his opinions on the Vietnam War. He thought I was arguing with him and probably felt unseated by the fact that a fourteen year old was trying to express his personal opinions (the horror!!). I managed to keep my cool despite his insulting my intelligence, though my participation in class decreased sharply from that point (and because of it, my grade).

In this example my teacher (the elderly) was uninterested in listening because he felt his experience made him superior. On my part, my youthful sensitivity to criticism made it unable to possibly save our relationship by clarifying my position on the topic.

This is just one scenario. There are plenty of other ways that communication between ages is ruined (the rebellious youth, the older person who still thinks they're young, etc).

That's a pity, but it's an old story often retold about teachers. I teach adults and I very often hear the same thing said. Unfortunately my son reports that he saw similar things in his school fairly recently.

Being older does not necessarily mean wiser - how many older people do we know who act and talk like idiots? I think you're right about connecting properly. It can seem insurmountable, but a professional should make the effort to try. It's a key part of the job, (and I don't mean down with the kids - gah).

[Delta40]

I saw a homeless guy begging in the city the other day and this old guy in a gopher intentionally ran over his plate of coins and sent them flying everywhere. I'm not sure what wise, valuable lesson he was trying to teach the homeless guy...

[Buh4Bee]

That's a sad and awful story Delta. Not all older people are wise or have something to offer the younger generations.