Generation Gaps

Given that society is constantly changing from day to day, it is inevitable that there is going to be changes in values and beliefs between different generations. While these values may not necessarily be negative by themselves, they have caused an overall disconnection between the different age groups in our society. These gaps can be closed by building a greater respect for different values by keeping our minds open and exploring different areas of interest.

For the beginning of my teenage years, my mother and I were two completely different species. She liked classic rock from the sixties and I liked pop music. She wore the same clothes for years while I was at the mall every week. She was interested in finance and I wanted to be a writer. In other words, we had nothing in common. She didn't understand me and I didn't understand her. However, when I was entering high school, I realized that I should be more understanding of her interests. So, we spent a lot of time together and learned everything about each other. After a while, I realized that her likes and dislikes were fascinating, and I respected her for her individuality.

From accepting and embracing the differences between my mother's values and mine, I was able to see things with a different perspective. I am not as judgmental or close-minded as I was five years ago. I am able to understand and respect other people's values because I know that everybody is entitled to their own beliefs. The personal time that I spent with my mother closed the "generation gap" between us and helped us to see each other as human beings, not just mother and daughter.