Generational gap refers to the differences between a younger generation and their seniors. Each generation developed in a different period, with different ways of living and with different ideals. Although these differences have been present throughout history, old generations have to be confronted at the cultural change which affects the actual society, particularly with the new generations X and Y.
The basic purpose of this paper is to show that the development of medias and new technologies have a great influence on the Generation Gap.All these improvements have widened the gap between two particulars generations, the Baby Boomers and their grandchildren who compose the generation Y. In the following pages we will first look at the characteristics of these two different generations; then we will examine how the new technologies have influenced the dissimilarity between them, before finally turning back to complicity and the similarity among these two generations.Born between the years 1676 and 1964 during the Post-World War II, baby boomers represent the rejection of traditional values of the society at this time and tend to think of themselves that they symbolize a special generation, particularly because they join the social movements of the 1960s and take part in the revolt against the conservative norms at that time.
Because they are very hardworking and motivated by their professional position, they are known to be work-centric and goal-oriented in their career.As Gelston puts it, “everyone thinks the Baby Boomers are self-absorbed workaholics”. One characteristic of this generation is also the competitiveness in their workplace and in their life, because they believe in hierarchal organizations and in the association between work and self-esteem. Baby Boomers are independent and self-sufficient, and they believe in the fact that the can change the world because they grew up in a period of reform and social modifications.In Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything that Rises Must Converge”, Julian reflects this generation when he tells his mother that times have changed, because he wants to escape the neighborhood in which his family had lived and start a new way of life: “Your great-grandfather was a former governor of this state,” she said. “Your grandfather was a prosperous landowner.
Your grandmother was a Godhigh” “Will you look around you,” he said tensely, “and see where you are now? ” […] “You remain what you are,” she said. “Your great-grandfather had a plantation and two hundred slaves” (325)On the other hand, born in the mid-1980’s and later, Generation Y is the fastest developing part of today’s workforce, with more than 70 million of people This vast generation is particularly known for the important increase in the use of new ways of communication. They grew up with the new technologies, and they are connected to them 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for personal leisure or to perform their job better. But at the opposite of older generations, Generation Y prioritizes family over their work and they also have a different idea about workplace expectations.
Brought up by parents who don’t want to reproduce the errors of the prior generation, the Generation Y is achievement-oriented in always searching new challenges, and they are not afraid about the authority. They attach a great importance on teams and teamwork, and search for the involvement and affirmation of others to be included and involved. So the differences between Baby Boomers and Generation Y could be understood by the different time they have grown up.Otherwise, the dissimilarities between them have been greatly influenced by the new technologies, which have accentuated the generation gap. Nowadays, the ways of communications are multiples and expanded all around the world, but they are not used in the same manner by the different people.
In fact, each generation have a different language concerning the way they communicate: “[it] might mean formal writing and speaking abilities to an older worker, but it might mean e-mail and instant-messenger savvy to a twentysomething. (Kersten) Generation Y has been touched by the growths, the developments and trends which occur at its time. The enlargement of instant communication technologies is manly based on the internet, such as email, texting, and IM, but the importance of new medias like YouTube and social networks like Facebook, MySpace or Twitter also simplify the communication through technology for the young generation. In the actual society, the Baby Boomers seem to be outdated in comparison to the technological revolution which affects the new ways of communication.Nevertheless, these two generations remain close to each other and very similar about certain points.
According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, “they tend to share many attitudes and behaviors that set them apart from other generations” (Hewlett, Sherbin and Sumberg: “How Gen Y and Boomers Will Reshape Your Agenda”). Baby Boomers and Generation Y share vision and values, because they have the same sense of responsibility to make a positive contribution to the society.The balance between the work and the personal is very important to both generations, because they want to take time in their hobbies, passions and some leisure. Generation Y needs attention, praise and reassurance.
They look at Baby Boomers as mentors, and these latter want to protect and guide the young generation, particularly when they interact in a work place. Generation Y may benefit greatly from mentors who can help guide and develop their young careers.To conclude, it can be seen that the generation gap is something that has existed and will continue to happen because it is not limited to certain parts of the world, to certain period of the history or to certain cultures. Each generation developed in a different period, with different ways of living and with different ideals.
The new technologies and the media accentuate this phenomenon, and old generations have to be confronted at the cultural change which affects the actual society.
