How to minimize Generation Gap

No matter how close you are to your teenagers and young adults, there will always be a generation gap. Some parents think it is only a small problem, and some think that this is not even a problem at all, which is a big mistake. According to wikipedia, generation gap can be defined as occurring when older and younger people do not understand each other because of their different experiences, opinions, habits and behavior. Therefore, these differences make the communication between the parents and their children lesser. Of course, we cannot change anything about these “differences”. But you can meet halfway, somehow. Let’s take culture for example, in which I think is the most common source of the gap. Culture includes fashion, gadgets, communication and music.

1.0 FASHION: I doubt if there is someone in the new generation would want to imitate the Elvis Presley dress code. I was a big fan of the Michael Jackson attire before, and I can say that most of the people at my age loved it, too. Now, I suppose both of them are now called “fashion disaster”.

2.0 GADGETS: Did you say goodbye to your pager? Who has still your walkman, and a lot of cassette tapes? Now the questions are: Is your MP3 or 4 upgraded? Which do you prefer, watching a film in a dark movie house while eating popcorn, or buy a DVD while enjoying the different features?

3.0 COMMUNICATION: We really have to thank MR. BILL GATES, no matter what you say. Communication now is as easy as buying a candy. Emails, texting and wireless communications help us a lot, don’t they? I was wondering when was the last time you went to the post office to send or expect a love letter.

4.0 MUSIC: I do not just love listening to different kinds of music; I am very enthusiastic about it! From Beatles to James Ingram, from Culture Club to Eminem, name it. My life will be a mess without them. That is why I am very thankful to the “revival” songs; they minimize the generation gap between me and my daughter, who is 30 years younger than me!!!

Now, I realized how to minimize generation gap:

1.0 Introduce your culture to your children without telling them that yours are better. After all, they have the “improved” ones.
2.0 Accept their culture, too. Swallow your pride. You might not enjoy them but at least, give it a try. They are here whether you like it or not. After all, you want to minimize the generation gap, don’t you?
3.0 Share each other’s culture. While my daughter is listening to revival songs, I explain to her who sang the original version, etc.
If you do all of these, chances are you are also going to minimize the generation gap between your children and their future children.

Article Source:Effective Parenting Tips