Here’s a quote from Morgan Housel: “Every generation is disappointed in their kids, partly because things typically get better over time, and you become resentful as you see younger generations bypassing problems you had to overcome.” We all know what he means. We all have a grandpa that had to walk to school in the blizzard, uphill both ways, and hates how easy and safe it is to get to school now. And we all know that grumpy old 50-something that resents student loan forgiveness, because I Had To Pay My Loans Back By Working.
Agreed. Cultures change, but being human is a constant. Children rebel. Some rebelling is reactionary; some is based on observing where the prior generation has not done well; much is based on sensing changing environmental conditions and reacting accordingly. One of the hardest aspects of parenting is not strongly react or judge when a child chooses to act differently, but to listen, observe, and suss out their reasoning (A difficult task, as the child/young adult often can not articulate why they are doing what they are doing.), then ask the right questions, causing the child/young adult to think more explicitly about the choice they made, and weight its ramifications for themselves.
Every generation has shortcomings, blind spots, and tacit rubrics. Respectful open discussions with my young adult daughter about her life decisions has provided beneficial learning moments for us both.
Agreed. Cultures change, but being human is a constant. Children rebel. Some rebelling is reactionary; some is based on observing where the prior generation has not done well; much is based on sensing changing environmental conditions and reacting accordingly. One of the hardest aspects of parenting is not strongly react or judge when a child chooses to act differently, but to listen, observe, and suss out their reasoning (A difficult task, as the child/young adult often can not articulate why they are doing what they are doing.), then ask the right questions, causing the child/young adult to think more explicitly about the choice they made, and weight its ramifications for themselves.
Every generation has shortcomings, blind spots, and tacit rubrics. Respectful open discussions with my young adult daughter about her life decisions has provided beneficial learning moments for us both.