By Laura Natasha (lauranatasha161526@daystar.ac.ke)
To imagine a generational diversity that Africa has embarked on, this is one of the greatest mile stones in establishing a proper middle ground for nurturing the interaction environment based on the Old- New generation. Imagining a world where building bridges has been made possible in recent generational Clash. Despite the continuous use of media every generational group has not gone unnoticed.
As a 22-year-old, John Ndung’u who is a motor sales advisor has a brilliant social life with his uncle Christopher Karanja a 63-year-old famer who is not rigid enough not to stand anyone younger than him. However, the fine-tuned relationship he’s been having with his nephew was not born out of respect but out of the generational understanding.
The age difference between the two has raised questions around their neighbourhood. The free spirited family are fully engaged in each other’s lives. After the death of John’s parents, Christopher who is still a bachelor and the state of environment he grew up in changed when he adopted John as his son.
“At first, I did not understand his needs, and with the emergence of technology I could tell that my world view was about to change,”
“When John turned sixteen years Old, arguments increased, I became less and less interested with the role of being a father,” Christopher timidly speaks.
The intergenerational clash lessened when he understood his character was different from his nephew’s from how both of them thought about certain things in life.
Generational differences regarding attitudes, work behaviour and life choices are signs of diverse economic trends. The context for the younger generations is very different than that of their parents or grandparents.
The future of the generations.
The culture that has been implied to different generations has led to the clash between the generations, some which is founded on stereotypic ideologies. The differences that do exist between any generations should be treated as problem that has led to segregation.
“When generational attitudes run apart, different life experiences are inculcated based on their principles and moral understanding of life, we need to build bridges from this ideologies,” Jane Mucau a psychologist-cum-parent said.
Recognizing the value all generations is very critical. Each generation can learn from each other on interests such as institutional knowledge and experience, thus creating leverage of the diverse never ending skillset and experience that will drive innovation.
The pace of innovation and disruption will only intensify in the years to come. The changes will be based on how each generation works, but the values underlying quality work will not.
Building a strong relationship between the generations, one based on respect and dialogue, will allow people to steer through the winds of change while remaining rooted in understanding each other’s value and philosophy in life.
“Unity is Key in establishing a middle ground in the intergenerational crisis. A path of self-discovery, understanding and tolerance will make a difference between every generation,” Christopher Karanja said.