Generation Gap: An Imposed Perception or a Reality?

DEFINING the term “generation” is rather complex - hence the generation gap.

A lateral way to classify generations is to identify contemporaries in the same cohort strata who are born and share similar historical moments within a period of approximately 15 years. Hence a generation is categorised based on the year one is born, such as Gen X (1965-1980), Gen Y or Millennials (1981-1996), Gen Z (1997–2012), or Gen Alpha (2010-2024).

However, the most long-standing meaning of the term generation relates to biological up/down generations in a family - vertical generations - parents and children.

Should we then define a generation gap based on the vertical generations, i.e., the gap between a parent and a child or the gap between two lateral generations such as Gen X and Gen Z or Gen Z and Gen Alpha?

Simply put, there is a difference from one generation to another in the way they react and respond to any event in life. Hence, the generation gap impacts our course of action in every aspect of life.

The way we perceive a generation gap becomes critical to determine how we want to teach or treat the next generations in school or universities, how to design the curriculum, and above all how to deal with them at home or at the workplace.

Hence, it is worth examining what might be the contributing factors to create a generation gap i.e., makes a generation different from the other.

Albeit, technological advancement has a considerable impact on work and life of a generation. Gen Z had the privilege to be born with tablets and smartphones in their hands unlike their predecessors Gen X. Similarly, Gen X had the luxury to have a personal computer unlike their predecessors. It is interesting to note that the technology a generation is born with in their grip is not their making - rather it is the making of their predecessors.

However, it is not unlikely that Gen Z compared to Gen X have higher tech-savvy preferences in work and life. Gen Z prefers flexibility and digitally-enabled workspaces while Gen X searches for work-life balance with stability in traditional career paths. Again, Gen X prefers tangible skills aligned with real-world applications, but Gen Z has preferences for digital and virtual control in their skills.

The difference between two generations has another dimension than their preferences for technology.

Gen Z are different in their psychological constructs from their predecessors. According to a Gallup-Walton Family Foundation survey conducted in 2023, Gen Z is more likely to experience negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, and loneliness. According to the same survey, only 15 per cent of members of Gen Z aged 18-26 said to have excellent mental health.

To a Gen Z, a different point of view or perspective is wrong or even can be considered “toxic”. It is common among the younger generations to label one from the older generations to “gaslighting” them if they have a disagreement. Instead of walking along the differences in opinions, they keep quiet and run away to their supposed comfort zone. Often, the difference between two generations appears as a discriminatory tool - generational “racism” - in treating each other.

The differences in psychological constructs between different generations give rise to a vital question - if there is an influence of emerging technology. In other words, do children born in a gap of 15 years have different psychological constructs such as compassion, patience, sincerity, tolerance, confidence, empathy, intuition, and respect for others because of technological advancement?

Generally, we agree that children’s behavioral and social constructs are built on the similar attributes of their parents. Beyond the parental boundary, children are exposed to social influences primarily in school and through social media.

To cut the long story short, it is safe to say, our children’s psychological constructs are the product of our family and society. They are built - the way we want them to be built. As it is famously rhymed, “Children learn what they live”.

Therefore, the emergence and use of a new technology is not sufficient enough that would make a generation different in their psychological constructs from the earlier generation or the next. In fact, the same is true if their genetic constructs are compared.

That makes us ponder if the generation gap - not in terms of tech-savvy preferences but in terms of psychological constructs- is more of an imposed social influence than a biological reality.

Being a Gen X, I am a father of two Gen Z and one Gen Alpha children - giving me a gap of two or three lateral generations with my children. However, in my old mindset, there is only one vertical generation gap - from a father to his children. The same is true for many families having children with more than one lateral generation.

It is not uncommon that children having a lateral generation gap within the same family act and behave in a similar manner and build a similar worldview. Again, being from the same lateral generation, the differences between two children from the same family are also noticeable.

Hence, there is no reason for us to think that children having different psychological constructs are the results of their lateral generational identity as they are born in a gap of 15 years or born amidst a new technology.

Irrespective of when and where a baby is born, they are born as fragile and chirpy with lovable innocence and purity.

The color, race, or status does not affect the beauty of the smile of a baby that is always as sweet as a white rose with a sprinkle of dew drops on its petals. Holding a baby gives us the feeling of warmth and tranquillity of a pacific morning sunshine.

Technology is way too inert to influence those invariable verities. Hence, if there is a generation gap because of a difference in the psychological constructs between two generations - that is because of how a new generation is raised in a family and a society, not the year or the technology they are born with.

Professor Dr Mohammad Tariqur Rahman is the Deputy Executive Director of International Institute of Public Policy & Management (INPUMA) at Universiti Malaya. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.