Age Gap Differences and Communication Problems

Communications are very important for all the generations in the whole world. Different generations use different methods to communicate and interact. In the modern society, an interaction between the old and the young has become unavoidable. The language of teenagers and adults differ in term of the words they used, body language and even the non-verbal communications. Most times, there might be communication problems because of age gaps. Such problems occur due to certain misunderstandings between the different generations. What teenagers consider normal like whistling may be considered rude when communicating with adults. This paper will present some of the problems associated with generational gap language, and it will also provide solutions to how the older generation can understand the younger generation.
Most of the values of the young generation and the older differ. The differences range from verbal terms tonal variations, dressing codes and even postures (for standing and sitting). According to Vallejo (2007, 261-279), the younger generations are liberal to the values and can easily adapt and in a short time. The older generations consist of mostly the conservatives who insist in upholding their values. In connection to values and generation gaps, it is likely that fallouts may exist in communications. It is not a surprise that disputes may arise amongst family members if there is a perception of disrespect.
Understanding the different values in a different generation will help any communicator to avoid always offending the audience and their listeners (Vallejo 2007, 261-279).

Most teenagers should know the things elders consider offensive. For example, some societies consider it rude to pocket your hand while having a conversation with elders. Other societies perceive certain sitting postures offensive. Andal (2015) points out that values vary according to different environments such as work places schools, and different geographical regions. Older generations may interpret some teenage behavior as incompetence or maliciousness. The younger generations who adapt easily need to learn the values of their audience before starting communications. Taking into considerations, the values of different generations during interactions would help in avoiding conflicts (Andal, 2015).
There are more general controversial views about the language used by these two different generations (Hedley & Markowitz, 2001, 195). According to Hedley and Markowitz (2001), controversial topics such as the issue of same-gender marriage liked political candidates and religious beliefs are not universally accepted ideas. Hedley and Markowitz also emphasize that Some societies are not liberal in discussing such issues. The ideas also vary with the generations. The political beliefs and religious beliefs also vary with different generations. People may be offended when such topics are discussed openly. At times, the ideas lead to arguments that may come out uncomfortable exchange of words. Chaos may occur in the middle of dinner because of such topics.
Since the ideas vary with beliefs, age and environment, it is advisable to avoid any topics, which are controversial in nature (Hedley & Markowitz, 2001, 196). Religious topics may be appealing to older generations, but it will be better to avoid such discussions because the level of understanding is also different. Keeping away from such topics, especially from unfamiliar people is the most advisable way to avoid communication problems and chaos.
In theses days, people use various communication forms for interaction. The older generation appreciates face to face communication. However, not all societies of older generation stick to face-to-face methods (Andal, 2015). A society in the rural and remote places might insist on the face-to-face communication. In such societies, grandparents may be offended when people communicate to them through mobile phones or the internet products instead of face to face talking. On the contrary, the generation in the crowded city center areas is used to the busy lifestyle, and they can adapt to other methods of communications rather than face to face. For example, the people in the United States, almost every generation is familiar with the use of mobile phones. Today, even the older generation uses social media sites to interact as well. Facebook and Twitter are not very strange vocabularies among the United States citizens.
Solving the language gap entails the forms of communications, people need to be patient and understand one another. The younger generation should be patient and adapt to the generation that seems not to appreciate digital methods of communications (Andal, 2015). Understanding the society will help an individual to know accepted methods of interactions. If young international students visit their village, he tends to be patient with his society. He must not insist on using the internet to communicate where the internet is not appreciated. The most important is that the generations need to understand the importance and the disadvantages to technological methods of communication (Dessne and Byström, 2015, 2277-2284). In this way, the benefits will drive both generations to appreciate the available forms of communication.
We live in a generation that uses text messages to communicate. More often, the text messages may contain too many abbreviations, which are not universally accepted. The younger generation sticks to abbreviations because they save time (Andal, 2015). The abbreviations sometimes become a habit, and most of the time people forget the age group they are sending text messages to. Some of the abbreviations obvious to the young generation could be meaningless, but not to the older generation. With the email system replacing the older system of hand writing letters, the older generation might find email written like a chat message to be offensive to them. In additions, if abbreviations are used the receiver may not understand the content of the message.
Formal communications, however, shows effort and interest in the communications placed by the speaker (Andal, 2015). In addition, formality is most accepted among different age groups. Older people feel respected when addressed formally (Dessne and Byström, 2015, 2277-2284). Formal communications are widely accepted in the workplace, social functions, and religious functions and all official settings. However, the older generation people can adapt to the short messages that are used by the young people since the young people tend to use a very simple way to convey a message and use less time in writing the message.
Choice of words determines the efficiency of communication. Sometimes people do not mean what they say. For instance, man and the big boy may have the same meaning. However, the speaker may sound offensive to an older man as a big boy as it might mean it is growth without maturity in the brain and responsibilities. It may also refer to a grown man who behaves like a child. The younger generations also prefer to be called as a lady rather than a woman. It is important to choose words when communicating to the older generation. Diplomats are popular for being choosy in their words since certain statements that are normal and may be provocative in a different season. According to Andal (2015), the right words also entail objecting politely. The younger generation may use the terms “go to hell” when disagreeing. However, these words are offensive in official functions and when talking to older people. Words may even hinder communication between the same generations. Some terms are not acceptable, even in interactions between teenagers.
Being mindful and sensitive to the choice of words when talking to people demonstrates competence and maturity of the speaker. The common words and terms may be offensive given a season and an environment (Andal, 2015). Being mindful of the choice of words also shows that the speaker respects his listeners. It is, therefore, important to study who your audience are, and the individual you are communicating with to avoid being offensive and pushing away your listeners. The older generation employees should help the younger employees distinguish between serious conversations and normal conversations. This is because important conversations are not held via text or email, but in person, so as to ensure that each party is satisfied with the outcome.
Communication is beneficial to all generations. Older people are known to be experienced; therefore, young people should seek the advice of the old to avoid heartbreaking problems. The older generations have an opportunity to learn how to adapt quickly to the changing world to avoid being frustrated by the things they cannot change. In the job market, young people may learn from the advice of the older generation, most importantly the instructions that pertain avoiding certain failures in the work premises. Similarly, the older generation can learn from the current generation on how to be flexible and adaptive from the changes that occur at work place. Certain work policies do not require rigidity. For example, if a company decides to adopt the use of technology, the older generation may learn to adapt and consequently keep their jobs. It is important to mind methods and means of communication because communication is important to every human being.
References
Andal, E. (2015). “Eight Communication Skills to Overcome the Generation Gap”. Lifehack. Retrieved 24 November 2016, from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/8-communication-skills-overcome-the-generation-gap.htmlDessne, K. &Byström, K. (2015). Imitating CoPs: Imposing formality on informality. Journal Of The Association For Information Science And Technology, 66(11), 2277-2284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/asi.23322Hedley, M. & Markowitz, L. (2001). Avoiding Moral Dichotomies: Teaching Controversial Topics to Resistant Students. Teaching Sociology, 29(2), 195. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1318717Vallejo, M. (2007). Is the Culture of Family Firms Really Different? A Value-based Model for Its Survival through Generations. Journal Of Business Ethics, 81(2), 261-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9493-2