Differences between the generations.

[dogsbody70]

There are and always will be generation gaps. It is a fact of life.

How we deal with that must vary. My japanese friend who met a fellow japanese student recently was shocked to see the student wearing thick make up.


So my friend who was born in the early forties seems to view the younger generation as daring and bold.


She is still in her own time capsule---.


I love to see young people in the latest gear-- they brighten up the steets.


Each generation should progress and definitely start their own culture and way of life.

too often we older generation are impatient of the younger--- we see many walking in groups or gathering in large groups-- and som eof we oldies suspect them of trouble.

Yes we know that some youngsters Do cause trouble when they go around to gether-- especially if they have been drinking-- but we need to give more credit t0 them.


I am sure many of them do many good things-- if they have the opportunity.


The generations too often are suspicious of the other--

I would wish there was a way to communicate with all generations to improve and try to understand each other better .

I often complain that locally there is not enough for youngsters to do.

Now there is a new skateboard park and many of the boys are making use of that.

Can the generations in Japan mix freely?

[JamboP26]

I think they can. I've seen documentaries where people, both young & old, are together at festivals, and at other events. I think the 'generation gap' will always exist. I think there will always be things that separate the generations e.g. sexuality. If you came out as gay in the 40's-50's, I imagine you would be disowned & hated. Whereas, now, it's fine. No stigma attached, apart from a few small minded people who's opinion doesn't matter, but will hurt. Just to add an extra dimension to the thread, on any differences between generations, is the differences between countries too. They can be related, as I remember seeing a video of Rame (the bassist from the band Vidoll) wandering around Akihabara in Tokyo, wearing a pink Lolita style dress, & a pair of fluffy mouse ears. I thought he looked cute, & he was walking around happy as ever with no interference from anyone (apart from a couple of girls in similar clothes that wanted a photo). Now, if Rame was to come here (Scotland or anywhere in the UK), I reckon he would get battered, purely because of the small mindedness of other people. A question I'd like to ask, is if an older person saw me, for example, in similar clothes, what would there views be?

[Suki]

When I was about 17 I started to smoke openly in front of my grandparents. My parents had known for quite a while but to my grandad it came as a shock. He still seems to have a problem with it and everytime he sees me with a ciggy in my hand goes: "You should be ashamed, you're too young to smoke", to what I would reply "I'm over 20, I know it's bad and that it's killing me but I'm old enough to make decisions and I choose to do it, assuming all the risks", he doesn't bug me all that much but he still makes comments about it everytime I light one up. If we were back in the 50ies and I was a guy, I'm sure he would be totally fine with it.

[dogsbody70]

maybe your grandad is worried about your health.

We never used to realise the dangers of smoking--now we know so for our loved ones to smoke is always worrying.

[dogsbody70]

Originally Posted by JamboP26

I think they can. I've seen documentaries where people, both young & old, are together at festivals, and at other events. I think the 'generation gap' will always exist. I think there will always be things that separate the generations e.g. sexuality. If you came out as gay in the 40's-50's, I imagine you would be disowned & hated. Whereas, now, it's fine. No stigma attached, apart from a few small minded people who's opinion doesn't matter, but will hurt. Just to add an extra dimension to the thread, on any differences between generations, is the differences between countries too. They can be related, as I remember seeing a video of Rame (the bassist from the band Vidoll) wandering around Akihabara in Tokyo, wearing a pink Lolita style dress, & a pair of fluffy mouse ears. I thought he looked cute, & he was walking around happy as ever with no interference from anyone (apart from a couple of girls in similar clothes that wanted a photo). Now, if Rame was to come here (Scotland or anywhere in the UK), I reckon he would get battered, purely because of the small mindedness of other people. A question I'd like to ask, is if an older person saw me, for example, in similar clothes, what would there views be?

I live not far from Brighton-- and I doubt if there would bea lot of comment about dressing up like that.after all we have a large procession for GAY PRIDE.

There certainly was a time when homosexuality was seen as criminal-- so it was hidden.

Oscar Wilde suffered terribly because of his love affair with Lord ALfred douglas.

His time in jail ruined him.


Much depends where we live I think-- transvestites dressing up as they do is a thriving business.

I guess I would smile and enjoy the view.

when I went to a japanese festival here it was great to see the boys and girls dressed up.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by dogsbody70

Can the generations in Japan mix freely?

Although in the US I usually only hang around with people within 10 years in age of me, and the vast majority is within 5 years of age with me, I have several friends in Japan old enough to be my father. In my 20s I often went out drinking with a coworker in his 60s. Awareness of age difference is important in Japan, but it doesn't necessarily mean there is a gap like there might be in other cultures.

[GoNative]

I think in Japan one thing that helps to break down the differences between the generations is that it's still very common for multi geneational families to live under the same roof. And I'd say respect for those older than yourself is more ingrained than in most western countries. Of course many of the oldies probably look at some of the fashions amd customs today and shake their heads in disbelief and sure kids, like any kids in the world, probably shake their heads at times listening to stories of 'in my day....' but like most social interactions in this country they're all pretty polite about it.

[Ryzorian]

"Generational gap" is simply the next generation trying to seperate itself from it's parents. Ironically, people tend to be attracted to life partners that resemble the personality of either their mother or thier father, depending on who had the most influence.

[dogsbody70]

i think it is the difficulties in communicating with each other--probably being worlds apart in our thinking and conclusions.


especially with all the rapid changes in the last century and this. everything is moving so fast.
older people have life experiences--younger have many hopes for the future pf course and can resent interference from their parents or other older people.
tastes change all through our lives --------------i find that on a personal level i get on well with young people-----------but would love the opportunity to mix more with all generations.

it always brightens my day to observe young people out and about enjoying themselves---but i dislike bawdy behavior in public.

adult education classes were brilliant ways for generations to mix--but as the govt. is restricting so many of those it is hard for my generation to afford the costs of an amenity in which i could share with mixed ages and races,

one of my favourite evening classes was for drama therapy-- it was emotional but we grew as a really loving and caring group within that class.

i miss these classes because i cannot afford the high costs. yet lifetime learning helpskeep us alive and alert.

thank heaven for the U3A. UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE. where anyone over fifty can carry on socialising having fun whilst learning something new.

[Ghap]

Originally Posted by MMM

Although in the US I usually only hang around with people within 10 years in age of me, and the vast majority is within 5 years of age with me, I have several friends in Japan old enough to be my father. In my 20s I often went out drinking with a coworker in his 60s. Awareness of age difference is important in Japan, but it doesn't necessarily mean there is a gap like there might be in other cultures.

not as suprising as you may think...many cultures do this.