Editorial: Bridging generational gaps to form a better society

How do we get different generations to interact with each other in a civilized matter?

That has been one of the hardest questions that has been plaguing society for the longest time. With each death in life, there is a birth of a new child. With each passing hour of the clock, there is a moment for us to prepare for and a moment that has past us.

In conversations, there is dialogue that differentiates from person to person depending on their age. For example, when I hear “old school” music, I am thinking 1950s to 1960s. When a new generation person hears the same term, they are thinking 1990s. As I look back, I realize that this year I will be out of high school for 20 years. Time has really flown by!

But back to the message at hand. With the ever-changing generations and society, how do we as people learn to live with each other in a harmonious environment? The best answers are probably love and respect.

Let’s not be naïve. Not everybody will be able to get along with one another for one reason or another. Friendships and relationships will breakdown. Ideals of what should be priorities change from generation to generation. Do I buy $100 worth of groceries or do I pick up a pair of new designer jeans for my child? Every person must decipher the path that bests suit them and that may not be something you are firmly in favor of. Our situations and backgrounds are different, but we can love each other and respect our decisions.

Other than love and respect, one thing that I found out that assists with bridging generational gaps in culture is chivalry. Holding a door for someone is extremely symbolic to life because you open doors to understanding others. Saying “please” and “thank you” go a long way as well. It’s simple, but effective.

We have to bridge the generational gap because the older generations set the precedent and sacrificed a lot for the modern generation to live comfortably. The modern generation is working and fighting for equal rights in order for their children to live better. The balance is necessary for each generation to provide not only incentive, but also security for years to come.

At times, a new voice is needed to lead what the old voice is trying to express. There will be battles and there will be struggles. However, leaning on each other from the wisest of elders to the newborns who cry, we will learn from each other.

Let us continue to grow and work as a unit. Ridicule is an art of deception to break us apart. As the saying goes, we can get more done together than we can as individuals.