Generational Perspectives

Generational Perspectives

Introduction: “The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” ... Socrates (Goodreads, 2017)

Although I believe deep down we know better, the reality that each generation views those which follow as vexing, confusing, inferior, contemptuous, disrespectful, or lazy is often lost on us. The words of Socrates, who lived over 24 centuries ago are just as fresh and relevant today as any posted, blogged, Tweeted, or written in the past 24 hours. The question is what do we as educators, mentors, parents, etc. do when such thoughts and realities confront us?

Life choices: I was fascinated by a recent article in the Denver Post (Denver Post, 2017) identified some vastly different life choices that were being made by today's youth. Truth be told, when I read the article I was impressed by some of the wise choices and mature reasoning behind many of these choices, and happy that some of the more questionable practices of my generation seem to be fading. Yet, being a prisoner of my own time, it is difficult to realize that such changes are taking place unless you either search for or stumble upon such information. Yet, when explored, contemplated and considered, such differences should confront the educator with the reality that while students and teachers often share many markers common to humans off all times and places, significant differences also exist which potentially present formidable hurdles which might frustrate efforts to provide educational services for the next generation. 

Reactions and applications: With such realities in mind it is wise therefore for those who work with younger generations to remain relevant, seek understanding, and carefully consider just how to engage and interact with young people. On one hand abandoning practices, knowledge, and traditions, often millennia in the making just to reinvent the wheel each generation seems foolhardy. There are many "truths" which are just as relevant today as they were many years ago. Such truths should be considered and applied with the proper understanding and perspectives of current generational needs to continue the string of wisdom begun so long ago. On the other hand, those who refuse to consider and embrace the changes which deeply impact and shape current generations do a disservice in service to them. Without speaking to such realities, the education provider appears disinterested in meeting the learner at their point of need and irrelevant failing to account for changes which can render old truths moot unless updated. 

Conclusion: At once, our students need us to be both the messengers of truths and traditions which are the product of generations of our forebears while at the same time, firmly engaged in the present remaining relevant and accessible. In truth, we as educators are the vital bridges spanning the ages, connecting our culture's past with it's future. If that sounds as both an imposing task and a frightening proposition...it is!

Cliparting.com

References

Retrieved 9/24/17 from: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/63219-the-children-now-love-luxury-they-have-bad-manners-contempt

Shared from the 2017-09-20 The Denver Post eEdition, NEWLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Teens increasingly put off markers of adult life. Percentage of those who drive, work, drink, date has fallen since late 1970s. By Tara Bahrampour The Washington Post