Communication and the Generation Gap

 

 

There are many reasons that ‘Baby Boomers’ and earlier generations have trouble communicating with ‘Gen Xers’ and later generations. From rapidly changing social and political climates, to a general fast-paced lifestyle where instant gratification is king, the young-adults and adolescents of today have very little in common with those that came before us.

One of the biggest hindrances to high-volume communication between generations however is technology. It seems like an oxymoron that something (the Internet) that has opened communication for most closes off easy communication for some. However, when looking at data that Pew Internet Research compiled between September and December of 2009, it is easy to see why that is the case.

Pew Research gathered data from people ages 12 to 65(+) and found that ‘Teens’ (ages 12-17) and ‘Young Adults’ (ages 18-29) both reported that 93% of their respective age groups were ‘regular’ internet users. Of those considered ‘Adults’ (ages 30-49 and 50-64) an 81% and 70% use were reported respectively. However, for those classified as ‘Adults’, (aged 65+), only 38% reported that they were ‘regular’ internet users.

While staying ‘in touch’ for those aged 12-49 via the internet is a relatively easy thing to do – because of the high internet use – once you start looking at the older generation (50+), it becomes more of a task due to the fact that the number of 50+ adults who use the internet simply isn’t as high as the younger age groups.

In addition to rapidly changing social and technological climates, younger generations live in a world where instant gratification is king. We want replies as fast as we can ask questions – largely due to our immersion in a world of sophisticated technology. The older generations – especially those aged 65+, seem to prefer a slower, more personal lifestyle. Even something as simple as a phone call is almost non-existent between some of the younger generations. Texting has replaced calling and voicemails, especially among friends.

While younger generations ‘communicate’ with one another more than they do with older generations, they don’t communicate as well. We no longer like to take the time to sit down and talk, we’ve been taught that time is money and because of that, the faster we get something accomplished – and are able to move on to the next task – the more likely we are to have some success.

An article written in Forbes Magazine in May of this year supports this. They, however, go further in the divide of the generations. According to the articles author, Scott Weiss, there is a communication gap between every generation. In a chart in his article, Mr. Weiss describes the preferred method of communication of each generation as follows:
Generation                 Age                 You Prefer…

Traditionalist               60+                  “Let’s have a conversation…”

Boomer                       50-59               “Call me on my cell…”

X’er                             35-49               “Send me an e-mail…”

Y’er                             30-34               “Text Me…”

Millennial                    20-29               “Facebook/Tweet to me…”

          While Mr. Weiss says that the tech-savvy younger generation may be at an advantage in some cases, it is also a disadvantage because of the fact that Millennials “lack the skills necessary for interpreting feelings, attitudes, reactions, and judgments”. This, Mr. Weiss says, is even more obvious when you look into cross-cultural circumstances – an essential part of today’s economy. 

 

 Works Cited:

Weiss, S. (2012, May 16). Generation gap: How technology has changed how we talk about work. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/05/16/generation-gap-how-technology-has-changed-how-we-talk-about-work/2/