Why Intergenerational Relationships Matter In Today's World

Written by Miette Wan

Definition

Intergenerational Relationships - Any type of relationship between individuals and groups of different generations. This is the most common and generic meaning. Relationships between parents and children or between grandparents and grandchildren are good examples of intergenerational relationships. However, a relationship between an older volunteer and a child in a nursery school is also an example of an intergenerational relationship, even though no kinship ties exist between them. Both terms – relationship and intergenerational – have multiple meanings and are multidimensional (Höpflinger 2009).

Introduction

We are often oblivious to intergenerational relationships that infiltrate our daily life without us being conscious of or acknowledging them. Yet, such a natural and seemingly insignificant connection contains an unspoken power. Human existence revolves around connecting and building relationships with others, and the process has notable physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Social interaction is a determinant of health and quality of life, and should be considered a public health issue. In addition to considering our individual wellbeing, it is also a convention for younger generations to show respect and appreciation for older generations, as they are arguably the foundations of wisdom and life thanks to both their maturity and experience, as such allowing them to access a special kind of expertise.

Interdependence

Despite being 20 or more years apart, there are still many areas in which the interests of these generations overlap, hence allowing reciprocity to flourish. This is evident in examples of migration: Young, vibrant people make up most of the migrant population, (in 2013, 21% of migrants are of young people (15-24)), and families consisting of grandparents rely on them for the flow of remittances back home to sustain their expenses. Similarly, the older generation have lived through a variety of challenges, events and life experience that provide valuable lessons. They are the figure of a mentor and guide and are vital in shaping the future paths of younger people. Research shows that older adults benefit from relationships with younger people. Karl Pillemer, a professor of Human Development at Cornell and an affiliate of the Bronfenbrenner Centre for Translational Research, has seen these benefits first-hand in his own work. He created a program called Building a Community Legacy Together (BCLT), which provides a structure for high school students to conduct interviews with and learn from older people. The idea is to promote wisdom-sharing and relationship-building across generations. He says, “It’s like two interlocking pieces in a puzzle: Young people need guidance to navigate their lives and to improve their attitudes toward aging and older people, and older people feel the need for generativity, which is a desire to support younger generations,”. The word 'interlocking' fully emphasizes the fact that the two generations are intertwined in unfound ways, which is important to maintain their relationship. For the study, Pillemer and his team recruited 93 middle and high school youth; 47 participated in the program and 46 were placed in a control group. Participants in the program reported significant improvements in their comfort and confidence interacting with older people, their attitudes toward older people, their interest in working with older people, and their own purpose in life. Nearly all the youth participants reported the program was a positive experience. Conversely, by interacting with and learning from youth, the older generation can have a better grasp on new technologies and expand skills they already have. This is an eminent benefit of intergenerational programs.

Societal Practice

As mentioned in my introduction, conventions mean traditions and they are crucial in maintaining the development of our society today. Intergenerational families are constantly placed in situations which call for adaptation and adjustment so that they can continue their functioning as a family. As older families experience changes through life transitions and occasional crises, they evidence resilience through their ability to change the balance they have retained throughout their families' lives while retaining their family structure. It is through intergenerational cooperation and the working together of many parts of the family unit that this occurs. As such, successful intergenerational families facilitate the fundamental progression within social cohesion and integration in building communities. When people from different generations interact within a community, they create a more cohesive social fabric. Older individuals can offer wisdom and history about the area, while younger people bring innovation and fresh perspectives. Together, they can solve community problems more effectively. Programs like “senior-mentor youth” or “youth-volunteering for seniors” encourage this kind of interaction, making communities more inclusive and interdependent.

International level

Prejudice, racism, discrimination and exploitation are all prominent factors when considering differences in age. It is societal norm to assume that old people are far more fragile, weak, mature and stubborn, while young people are vibrant, creative, lively and strong. Intergenerational relationships are one of the most powerful tools to combat these barriers and stereotypes, also known as ageism. Interaction within relationships foster a sense of individuality and identity for each person, dismissing the age as a factor when considering that individual. This allow to break down misconceptions, reduce isolations and promote mutual respect between older and younger generations.  

Mental and physical wellbeing

On to the most significant factor - well-being. Well-being refers the state of feeling healthy and happy, hence intergenerational relationships can bring prosperity and contentment to individuals. Many studies have reported the beneficial effects of these programs, improving the mental and physical health of the elderly and contributing to better academic formation and social skills in children. Participants were subjects living in Spain of any age and from different social groups who completed a questionnaire. The analysis of sociodemographic variables of the survey respondents revealed that most participants who participated in intergenerational face-to-face activities reported benefits to their physical and mental health, mood, relationships, self-determination, social participation, and academic education. This proves that intergenerational interactions derived from the performance of face-to-face activities can contribute to improve both the physical and mental health, social skills, and relationships of all people involved.

Conclusion

Intergenerational relationships are critical for creating a more connected, empathetic, and resilient society. By fostering these intrinsic bonds, we can bridge generational gaps, create wisdom diasporas, and sustain each other through the various stages of life. Whether within families, workplaces, or communities, these relationships enrich both young and old, creating a sense of continuity, mutual care, and shared growth on both personal and national levels.

Bibliography

Sánchez, Mariano, and Pilar Expósito Díaz. Intergenerational Relationships. 14 Oct. 2019, pp. 1–6,

“Connecting with Older Adults Is Good for You and Them.” Psychology Today, 2022,

 Canedo-García, Alejandro, et al. “Evaluation of the Benefits, Satisfaction, and Limitations of Intergenerational Face-To-Face Activities: A General Population Survey in Spain.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 18, no. 18, 14 Sept. 2021, p. 9683, ‌

 Cockrell, Maurya. “The Power of Intergenerational Connection.” Generations.asaging.org, 19 Oct. 2022, generations.asaging.org/power-intergenerational-connection.

Edited by Bella Binks