Generation Gap

What's new in it? Why should it
be featured? Every time a journo comes up with an idea, editors are prone to
put it down. Conventional journalism taught us dog bites man is no news. But a
man bites dog is. I approached a few
well known writers to know something of the lighter side of millennial
parenting. Fresh from the 55th Rajagiri Round Table, I talked to
them about DINKies (Double Income No Kids) or DILKs (Double Income Less Kids) and
chronic bachelors and spinsters. "All these were there in your time
too." Wonder! Being a Gen-X, I didn't know the changing
trends in my time and thought it was all Millennial.
Every generation looks down upon the newer generation. 'How times have changed, values have changed?' People talk of the 'Generation Gap' when communication breaks down between two generations. This creates tensions and strife in families and communities.
Millennial generation has imbibed certain characteristics and features which are unique to them. But the problem is the older generation is not happy with it. "We evaluate in terms of what is good and bad in our opinion. We believe they have lost their childhood," Dr PR Poduval, as always stoic. The academic sees the world differently from a journo who is looking for unusual patterns to create a headline. They research, look for data to prove their hypothesis. What does the research data show about Millennial parenting- is it all about shared responsibilities? Or are women bearing the burden more than men?
Not easy though to find
these answers nor universalize trends that you see in one place. Barbara J
Risman, renowned sociologist, also found it hard to see a typical millennial
after interviewing 116 of them. Gender structure still constrains life in
America. Interestingly, she found males who dismiss the gender stereotypes and
refuse to accept gender categories. That is indeed promising.
RECOMMENDED NEWS