Generation Gap: Analysis of Problems Faced by Younger Generation

This project critically analyzes the generation gap prevalent across various interests of daily life. The younger generation faces problems related to unemployment, career, personal issues, and more. The article cites various sources to support the analysis and highlights the behavioral issues of the youth. The project aims to make people realize the situation that young people face and the problems they have in comparison to the older generation.

Tong Wu
Molly Ubbesen
English 102-205
June 29, 2018
A10
Introduction
My goal in this project is to critically analyze the generation gap between the older
generation and the younger generation which is prevalent across various interest of daily life.
-It is an issue all over the world where the generation gap is one of the major things that has
affected the role play and the working of the different families. The older generation prefer to
stick to their old school customs and traditions and not to go with the time.
I am analyzing this because Generation gap is the process, which is perceived as the age gap
between the old and young generation. I interpret this to mean These generation gap is the
reason for conflicts and communication related gaps and misconceptions, due to which the
balance between societies are destroyed. A distinction in suppositions, qualities, dispositions
and way of life among individuals of various ages is called 'generation gap'. Because of these
distinctions, individuals having a place with various generations get themselves unfit to
identify with each other. It has been found that individuals from various generations act
diversely in any given circumstance. In light of their perspective, convictions, thoughts, and
over all conduct generations have been ordered into various classifications.
The younger generation however try to incorporate the various kinds of new ideas and beliefs
into their lives and try to make sure that the old school thoughts that are not valid anymore
are modified accordingly. Though there is a misconception among people that the younger
generation do not feel any sort of issue as compared to the older one, this theory is
completely invalid.

The generation gap is a frustrating gap that hampers the communication process between two
age groups leading to create a social gap within the society and unable to influence each other
positively as well as negatively. The present children are naturally introduced to an
aggressive world and have a battle to get everything. Numerous a period their actual potential
gets eclipsed in the rat race. Parents, then again, feel that in this quickly changing society
where everybody is so conceited, it is their obligation to ensure their children.
The younger generation feels a lot of problems which is discussed below.
My interest:
My interest in the topic comes from the personal experience I have and the problems that I
face compared to my previous generations and the ways in which I can solve them.
Personal experience:
I live in a country that has liberal point of view and that helps me in making my own
decisions and giving me the freedom to do the needful. My parents and the older generation
of my family have always been supportive of my decision and have given me the scope to
face my problems and solve them accordingly. However, there are people in this world living
in countries that have a huge generation gap and the older generation do not understand the
problems of the younger self that I have experienced with my friends.
I interpret this to mean that, the modern context of generation gap can be understood by the
study that younger generation nowadays do not consider the achievements of elder generation
as they think that competition at their generation is higher than the elders. I interpret this to
mean that, Generation gap is the phrase given to the distinction between two generations. The
general public changes at a steady pace and thus the way of life, philosophies, sentiments,
convictions and the general conduct of individuals additionally experiences change with time.
This change offers approach to more up to date thoughts and breaks the outlandish
stereotypes and it positively affects the general public. Moreover, the greater part of the
circumstances it turns into a reason for struggle between two generations.
What I need to make clear:
I need to acknowledge some of the nations and the problems that the younger generation
faces. In addition, I need to analyse the root of the problems and the various ways in which

those problems hamper the daily life. The problems of the younger generation can be both
professional and personal and can be treated accordingly.
Connection and analysis:
The society plays a major role in determining the problems that the younger generation can
have and what are the implications that are measured by the problem. The role of the younger
generation as determined by the society has no problems or issues which makes them seem
heartless and irresponsible. However, in reality this is not the case as like any other
generation, the youths face some major problems right from the professional issues to relate
to friends and family.
- After reading my project I want people to realize the situation that the young people face
and also the problems they have in comparison to the older generation.
Background Information
 One of the major problems that the youth of today’s generation face is the issue of
unemployment. In addition, they also face the problem of professional problems and
the try their best to solve them.
 Personal issues like friends and family problems are also faced by them in some point
of their time.
 Relationship and career are two major things that they need to maintain alongside the
other aspects of their lives.
 Today’s generation make sure to maintain both the sides of their lives with equal ease
and also to gather happiness in their lives.
Source Work
Sources one
Madhuka published in Test big site in the year December 2013.https://www.testbig.com/ielts-
essays/some-people-feel-young-people-face-more-pressure-today-equivalent-age-groups-
did>. [Accessed on 20th June 2018]. 2018
In this article, Madhuka mentions that like the older generation, the younger generation too
has problems which are much more than the older ones when compared. The younger
generation has the problems related to unemployment and the career. Unlike the older people,

mere academic skills are not enough to get a decent job. Another problem that has affected
the younger generation is the problem of the increase of the older people which has led to the
problem of over population. The third issue stated by the author is the environment issue and
the technological problems that have led to the problems of social media reputation. All these
have affected the people of the younger generation at a large scale.
I interpret this to mean that, the parent child relationship is frequently influenced because of
their generation gap. It has been watched that the guardians endeavor to force their qualities
and belief systems on their children while the later need to investigate the world all alone.
Numerous connections have endured because of generation gap. This source is influencing
my perspective because ,a few guardians and kids have clashes in view of their distinction of
suppositions which they should comprehend is normal as there is an age hole between them.
Sources two
Richard, Fry. Ruth, Igielnik and Eileen, Patten. “How Millennials today compare with their
grandparents 50 years ago.” Factank. (2009): n.pag.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/03/16/how-millennials-compare-with-their-
grandparents/ . 16 June 2018
Some of the major problems faced in the article is the fact that due to the better education of
the people of the modern generation, there is not an ample amount of job that can be given to
all. In addition, due to the large number of bachelor degree holder, it is more difficult to get a
job unlike the previous generation with a normal degree in education or else. The millenials
today compare their lives with the modern world which is far more complicated both in terms
of personal and professional kinds. The introduction of the women workforce into the lives
have also made the lives of the women generation complicated as previously, they used to
only deal with the family and homely affairs and now they have to deal with the people of the
office as well as home.
I interpret this to mean that, love and comprehension are the best cure to this consistently
augmenting generation gap. At exactly that point will youngsters admire their folks and
guardians won't be troubled with their blame of not being there for their kids in their hour of
need. Thusly generation gap can in any case be limited, if not totally filled.

Sources three
Thompson, Derek. “Are Today's Youth Really a Lost Generation?” Business. (22 Sep. 2011):
n.pag. https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/09/are-todays-youth-really-a-lost-
generation/245524/ .16 June 2018.
This source is influencing my perspective because the author states that today’s youth is not a
lost generation and have severe issues to face when compared to the older ones. The youths
have their own set of problems which they do not crib about which makes them seem
heartless and lost but at the end, they too have their own ways to solve an issue and to make
arrangements for the same in terms of other matters. I interpret this to determine the
generational effect of recession considering the conducted study. After that, the researchers
determine the effect of recession of wealth, social and mental state and found that the
boomers are at higher risk of wealth related crisis whereas, generation Y faced mental crisis
as they were concerned about their future. This source is influencing my perspective because,
through this research the artcle established that each age group has its different challenges
and those challenges and their extent cannot be compared.
Sources four
Carroll, Jennie, et al. Problems faced by the youth today. The youth of today has been widely
outclassed. February09, 2008; Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International
Conference on. IEEE, 2018. www.dawn.com/news/965881
The above-mentioned article was published in the year 2008 and is written by Jennie Carrol
along with other authors. In this article, the author has depicted a range of issues that are
faced by the students who reside in the modern world. According to the authors, teenager’s
residing in this generation faces more issues while dealing with their daily activities
compared to the teenagers of the older generation. The huge generation gap along with the
rapidly changing society is to be blamed for (Carroll). The communication gap between the
young and the older generation and lack of friendly and understanding attitude of the parents
are major issues that are making the new generation incapable of sharing their own thoughts
and hence is encouraging rudeness and disobedience. This source makes me question this
other source because the article also determined that younger generation are at higher
pressure nowadays as the social media and other platform connect them to the entire world

and hence, they have the pressure to impress everyone and be successful in their respective
fields. I interpret this to mean that this statement was backed by the researcher Weiming that
due to generational gap, youth are under tremendous pressure that they are unable to
acknowledge their elders contribution for the society they are living in. Hence, this article
was able to point out the generation gap using society and work pressure related aspects.
Sources five
Sharlene Gale S. and Graeme Codington, Facing the Youth in the 21st Century. May
1999.pp.1- 133. www.researchgate.net/publication/301647194
The two authors wrote the book in regard to the challenges faced by the children in the
modern world just as compared to the older generation. According to the author, a major
issue which is faced by youths of this generation compared to the older generation is high
obesity. In this article, the author has stated that unlike the youths of this generation, order
generation during their youth had easy access to natural food products which in turn, ensure
good health. In contrary, youths of this generation have greater access to junk foods which
leads them to obesity (Sharlene, Gale and Graeme). It can be understood that this article is
supporting the issues related to obesity has been stated in the previous article. However, I am
connecting the sources with another because this article has also pointed out the issues that
have not been discussed in the previous article. It influences my perspective because it links
modernism with age and circumstances depending on which the person, his or her thinking
and their mental age is determined. I question critique this source because the article
determined that younger generation, do not trust the older ones because they are associated
with religious perspectives and without any prove of God they are not being able to trust on
their holy scriptures as the older generation does blindly.
Sources Six
Greatergood.berkeley.edu. "How Teens Today Are Different From Past Generations."
Greater Good. N.p., 2018.Web.19June2018.https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item
how_teens_today_are_different_from_past_generations
In this article, the author has presented the self-centeredness of the youths of this generation
which make it highly difficult for them to assimilate in the society. Unlike the previous
generation, teenagers of this era are highly confident about themselves and lack the
competence of listening to the opinions of other individuals (Greatergood.berkeley.edu). The
author pointed out the financial crisis to be the major reason behind the demoralization of

today's youth. In his article, the author stated that unlike the older generation, this generation
is suffering from major financial crisis due to the recession. This factor has demoralized them
and as a result of this teenager of this era not aware of any kind of moral reasoning outside
themselves. Unlike the other 5 articles, this article has taken a different approach and have
concentrated on the behavioral issues of the youths and the reasons behind these issues
instead of focusing on the problems suffered by them in general. This source is influencing
my perspective because this article was able to point out the loopholes in the mindset of the
younger generation as they were unable to trust the opinions and suggestions of the older or
experienced community of the society. I interpret this to mean that in a research by , the
author determine that it has a positive implication as the youth will have the ability to learn
from their mistakes that will make them to achieve success in their future life.
This source is influencing my perspective because generation gap has prompted a few
changes in the general public particularly in India where the joint family framework was
common since ages. The idea of atomic families has been presented in India off late and this
is additionally an aftereffect of the generation gap. I interpret this to mean that individuals
nowadays want for protection and need to lead their life their own specific manner and the
joint family framework is a prevention to it. Numerous individuals are in this way going for
atomic families. So also, numerous progressions occurring at different levels in the general
public are a consequence of the generation gap.
Conclusion
 Concluding, it can be said that both the generations have their own set of problems
and ways to solve the same. The younger generation have different capabilities to
make things work which differentiate them from the older generation
 The young people have their own set of problems which they solve in their own ways.
 At the end, the concept that young people have less problems proves wrong and can
be stated to be false in every aspect.
 Moreover, recession and its effects on the younger generation and how high social
and economic stress has enhanced the stress level of the younger generation as a result
of which the moral values of the teenagers have deteriorated have been discussed.
 Light has been shed on the issues faced by teenagers due to a huge communication
gap between them and the older individual.

Concluding, it can be said that both the generations have their own set of problems and
ways to solve the same. The younger generation have different capabilities to make things
work which differentiate them from the older generation. The young people have their
own set of problems which they solve in their own ways. At the end, the concept that
young people have less problems proves wrong and can be stated to be false in every
aspect. Moreover, recession and its effects on the younger generation and how high social
and economic stress has enhanced the stress level of the younger generation as a result of
which the moral values of the teenagers have deteriorated have been discussed. Light has
been shed on the issues faced by teenagers due to a huge communication gap between
them and the older individual.
New questions and concerns
Can the problems facing the younger generation be properly solved?
Why are there communication barriers between teenagers and the elderly?
Why are the younger generation facing more problems than the older generation?