Cultural agism

[nickkielcepoland]

I think people tend to forget that generations are a bit like nations - each one has its own culture.

One problem with this is that generations see each other through the prism of age - an older generation may be prejudiced against a younger generation, because of the lack of life experience in the younger generation. While the younger generation may be prejudiced against the older generation because of the staleness and setness in its ways of the older generation.

Different nations (ethnic groups) at least understand that you don't get anywhere if you act as if your particular group has a mission to teach another particular group.

Generations are different, for the reasons I've outlined above.

Poland, where I live, is relatively culturally homogenous. Perhaps for that reason, generational differences become more visible. I'd say Poles in their 20s and 30s are quite culturally similar to their British counterparts. The same cannot with the same degree be said of Poles/Britons in their 60s/70s. The Internet plays a large part in this, I believe.

I feel that the cultural diversity which generational differences potentially give to society, is often lost, because the generations are prejudiced against each other's lack of life experience, or staleness / setness in their ways.

How can societies better take advantage of that cultural diversity?

I have one answer to the above question - raise awareness of the fact that generations aren't just ages, but also cultures. Once we are aware of that, we can look beyond the prejudices that are outlined above. What do other people think?

[skintagain]

Generations prejudice must only be in Poland nickk.

[Deleted]

There is indeed prejudice between generation in Britain. Depending upon which religion you are, how the prejudice manifests itself. 
In the Muslim/Jewish communities there are clearly defined roles and codes of behaviour. The younger generation in the main don't except such behaviour, as they've been exposed to western culture, with it's more liberal attitudes. This dichotomy causes prejudice and and resentment between the generation. Hopefully the next generation will be more tolerant.
 
I did have my differences with my parents, as did most of my generation. My father especially was a typical bigot, who referred to Asians as 'wogs', 'Afro-Caribbeans' as 'coons' and homosexuals as 'puffs'. To be fair, the only people of different colour my father came across was in WW11, and his hatred of homosexual is understandable as until 1967 (when he was in his mid 40's) homosexuality carried a custodial sentence. My Mother main concern was what the neighbours would think. They both expected to follow the same morals as they did, which I didn't and wouldn't do, and I was far more liberal than they were. My lack of prejudice which caused my parents to be prejudiced. 

The latest generation suffer less prejudice as than any, as the majority of people don't care if people don't marry, have children, don't care their ethnicity or sexuality. Younger generation ought to be able to get together with the older generation and combine youthful enthusiasm with the experience (not patronising) of the older generations. 

Not an homogenous society yet, but we're getting there.

[nickkielcepoland]

Aug 27, 2015 11:04:02 GMT 1 @clearskys said:

There is indeed prejudice between generation in Britain. Depending upon which religion you are, how the prejudice manifests itself. 
In the Muslim/Jewish communities there are clearly defined roles and codes of behaviour. The younger generation in the main don't except such behaviour, as they've been exposed to western culture, with it's more liberal attitudes. This dichotomy causes prejudice and and resentment between the generation. Hopefully the next generation will be more tolerant.
 
I did have my differences with my parents, as did most of my generation. My father especially was a typical bigot, who referred to Asians as 'wogs', 'Afro-Caribbeans' as 'coons' and homosexuals as 'puffs'. To be fair, the only people of different colour my father came across was in WW11, and his hatred of homosexual is understandable as until 1967 (when he was in his mid 40's) homosexuality carried a custodial sentence. My Mother main concern was what the neighbours would think. They both expected to follow the same morals as they did, which I didn't and wouldn't do, and I was far more liberal than they were. My lack of prejudice which caused my parents to be prejudiced. 

The latest generation suffer less prejudice as than any, as the majority of people don't care if people don't marry, have children, don't care their ethnicity or sexuality. Younger generation ought to be able to get together with the older generation and combine youthful enthusiasm with the experience (not patronising) of the older generations. 

Not an homogenous society yet, but we're getting there.

Thank you for that very interesting and informative post. Hope you're well.

[Deleted]

Thanks Nick, good to get my teeth into something substantial.

I'm fine thanks, looking forward to my holiday in five weeks time, especially after the crap summer we've had. 

Hope you are keeping well, good to hear from you.

[skintagain]

Uncle Fester AKA sourmilky speaks a load of $hite, I think he gets his views from films such as East is East, I on the other hand have actually talked and not so long ago enjoyed a night out with people with different religions, I don't get my views from TV, many of the younger generations of different religions prefer the old ways as some would call it or tradition and it is the same with older generations some prefer the traditional ways some don't.
As for the younger generation getting together with the older generation to combine youthful enthusiasm with experience, have you not heard of community groups, or local workshops where people of different age groups get together for different projects, local authorities run lots of groups like this where the young and old mix together, as for patronising when it comes to you I doubt it's just the young ones, I have met you so I understand them.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2015 21:33:00 GMT 1 skintagain said:

Uncle Fester AKA sourmilky speaks a load of $hite, I think he gets his views from films such as East is East, I on the other hand have actually talked and not so long ago enjoyed a night out with people with different religions, I don't get my views from TV, many of the younger generations of different religions prefer the old ways as some would call it or tradition and it is the same with older generations some prefer the traditional ways some don't.
As for the younger generation getting together with the older generation to combine youthful enthusiasm with experience, have you not heard of community groups, or local workshops where people of different age groups get together for different projects, local authorities run lots of groups like this where the young and old mix together, as for patronising when it comes to you I doubt it's just the young ones, I have met you so I understand them.

Anyone who starts a post with "Uncle Fester AKA sourmilk" surely can't be taken seriously. It is therefore a waste of time repling to such a post, as it only encourages the activitise of the composer............And of course troll type behavour should always be discourage, and reviled

[skintagain]

............And of course troll type behavour should always be discourage, and reviled
Uncle Fester AKA sourmilky I cut and pasted the last bit of you're reply, I have not corrected you're bad spelling nor put the missed full stop I just left it as it was, this is strange coming from you though you can be excused for not noticing you're own troll like traits but only because you are stupid, just because I pointed out that you're reply was a load of $hite does not make me a troll, someone who flits from forum to forum and keeps changing their name I would consider more of a troll and you fit the bill.

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2015 3:14:02 GMT 1 skintagain said:

............And of course troll type behavour should always be discourage, and reviled
Uncle Fester AKA sourmilky I cut and pasted the last bit of you're reply, I have not corrected you're bad spelling nor put the missed full stop I just left it as it was, this is strange coming from you though you can be excused for not noticing you're own troll like traits but only because you are stupid, just because I pointed out that you're reply was a load of $hite does not make me a troll, someone who flits from forum to forum and keeps changing their name I would consider more of a troll and you fit the bill.

I refer you to the above "clearskys" post!