Do you agree with the Stroms’ assessment? Why or why not? How might this phenomenon affect generativ

Because technology is rapidly changing the world, grandparents aren’t the experts they were in past generations when the pace of change was slower. A mobile society and large segregated “adult” communities keep grandparents and grandchildren apart for most of their lives.

Children today look to their peers to teach them “important” things such as the best TV show, the newest fashions, drug information, sex information, etc. According to Robert and Shirley Strom, this undermines our society because it breaks it up into special interest groups who feel they have nothing in common with each other.

Do you agree with the Stroms’ assessment? Why or why not? How might this phenomenon affect generativity? Does it matter? If we should improve intergenerational relations, how could we best go about doing it?

ANSWER

Analyzing Stroms’ Assessment

Strom’s assessment exemplifies today’s intergenerational relations changes. Unlike in the old times when grandparents had a closer link with their grandchildren, they lack viable interactions today based on technological advancements. During these old times, grandparents were experts and occasionally provided their grandchildren with relevant advisories because they had a well-established closeness. However, as technology advanced, these two were brought worlds apart, and the only time they engage is through digital platforms, considering the distance between them. Young people have moved to urban regions searching for advanced opportunities brought about by the rapidly growing technology.

Due to this shift, children often look up to their peers rather than their grandparents for advice. This has led to the breakage of special interests groups who feel they have nothing important to offer each other (Strom & Strom, 1992). Considering the distance created, children and their grandparents no longer associate as usual. This means that these two groups do not view each other as a relevant segment in their daily lives. The outcome has been break up of generational relationships.

This phenomenon is expected to affect the propensity and promotion of the interests and well-being of the younger generations. Grandparents always offered vital guidance and direction that young people should consider in their lives. This is based on their experience on earth that made them become wise men and women. They passed these lessons to the young people. However, now that they are worlds apart, the propensity and well-being of this generation are at risk. It is important to improve intergenerational relations will strengthen families and the community. One of the vital ways of achieving this is by encouraging children to visit their grandparents. This will give room for improved associations and relations. Also, strategies like organizing family get together and attending cultural events can assist in improving these relations.

Reference

Strom, R. D., & Strom, S. K. (1992). Achieving grandparent potential: Viewpoints on building intergenerational relationships. Sage Publications.