Research Proposal: Generation Gap: Negative Effects On Relationship Between Parents and Children
Research Proposal: Generation Gap: Negative Effects On Relationship Between Parents and Children
RESEARCH QUESTION : how does generation gap effects the relationship of parents
with their children and their development ?
OBJECTIVES : though the theme of generation gap is very broad but the remainder of this
paper—and this introductory summary of key findings—is organized around these questions
that are as follows :
Not only the problems like this but since beginning from our childhood to our adulthood
children make their own perceptions of viewing the world but due to this gap parents are
always after their children that you are wrong you have to follow only those norms which are
old and orthodox , obviously exceptions are always there but in a country like India
generation gap plays a very hazardous role directly or indirectly in a person’s life. These
types of notions changes the mind of a child and impact them psychologically.
THEORY 2 : Marfatia [11]in his study stressed that absence of parental warmth, extra
rigidity, over control attitude generally of father, continual arguments between their parents,
isolation and absence of entertainment channels are some of the reasons responsible for
imbalance among the youngster in many field.
Barren and Earls [12] in their study focused that adverse parent-child dealings and great
family pressure are connected with fussy conduct of children. Adverse parent-child dealings
embrace low parental love and attachment.
Hurlock [13] in his study observed that parents are good if they help the children but bad if
they frustrate them. Children perceive mothers as having greater authority over them than
fathers. Older children also perceive the mother primarily in terms of what she does for them.
Basically parent child relationship is dependent on parental attitude. It may be that if
adolescents perceive the parental attitudes to be favourable, the relationship will be better
than when perceived unfavourable. It is probable that if the adolescent perceives the child
rearing practices authoritarian, he will conform to their standard, but will harbour resentment,
be defiant and wilfully disobedient.
OTHER RELATABLE THEORIES : above we have talked about how children are effected
by their parents and here we will talk about how parents face problems . While studies of
multiple generations often report some agreement between generations, there is evidence to
suggest that parents and their adult children often evaluate their 128 / SHAPIRO relationships
with each other in different ways. This rather modest literature generally suggests that parents
are more likely to perceive their relations with children in a positive light (Albrecht et al.,
1997; Aquilino, 1999; Bond & Harvey, 1991; Giarrusso, Stallings, & Bengtson, 1995; Rossi
& Rossi, 1990). However, much of this generational difference is examined within the
context of affective aspects of parent-child relationships. We still know relatively little about
parent-child reporting differences in other dimensions of parent-child relationships such as
intergenerational exchanges and contact. Bond and Harvey (1991) found that older parents
report greater intergenerational contact. However, in a recent study of parent-child dyads in
Taiwan, Roan and colleagues (1996) maintained that children tended to over-report contact
and support relative to their elderly parents. Thus, there is a need to clarify the reporting of
intergenerational solidarity among older parents and their adult children in the United States.
. These differences arise due to the fact that motivations and level of investment of each
generation vary at different developmental periods. Younger generations report being less
close to older family members because of their desire to achieve independence and their
lessened relative investment in their parents. Older generations seek generativity, and have
both a greater desire to maintain continuity between generations and a greater investment in
their children (rather than vice-versa). The intergenerational stake model also proposes that as
generations age concurrently they become more similar. This would suggest that older
parent-child dyads correspond in their reports of intergenerational solidarity to a greater
extent than do younger parent-child dyads. Developmentally, the interests and motivations of
parents and children become more similar as they age.
The generation gap is the constant struggle of the parents to prevent their kids
from doing things that their own experiences and wisdom tell them is going to
harm their kids. The kids on the other hand try constantly to prove to the parents that they are
equipped to take control of their lives. Neither is wrong – they are both right in their
own premise. The parents blinded by their love for the kids would rather have
their own experiences replace the e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e i r k i d s w h e r e a s t h e
k i d s a r e c o n v i n c e d t h a t decisions are right and are based on current
situations that the parents may not necessarily be aware of.” ( Chaudary.M, 1999.3)
“Inevitably age-versus
y o u t h c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n a u t h o r i t y a n d r e b e l l i o n , between experience and
naivety, between limits and exuberance, between responsibility and freedom, is
too simplistic. There are certain biological determinants which ensure that, when we
are young, we have more physical energy; and psychologically we may have less
containment and less rigidity when it comes to expressing ourselves, because the ego has not
yet become “set” in its habit patterns and defences. Repeated confrontations withworldly limits
may also sometimes, although not always, play their part in making us less inclined to take risks
when we are older. T h e a r c h e t yp a l polarity of the elder and the puer aeternus reflects this
inherent life process .But beyond these very general factors, the picture is more complicated
than it might seem. Not only individuals may break the mould, but also entire
generation groups. The face of the elder may reveal itself in the young, the face of the pure in
the old.” (Kiani.A, 2000)“ I t i s c o m m o n f o r c e r t a i n d i f f e r e n c e s i n v i e w p o i n t
and opinion
b e t w e e n parents and children to be brought about by age and the differentenvironments in
which each generation has grown up. The younger generation may not have the same
experiences and feelings their parents have. Therefore, understanding and empathizing with
parents is essential to understanding and resolving the conflicts. Communication is essential
and promotes understanding between generations so they can become aware of the nature
and source of their cultural difficulties.” (Azimi.A, 1998).“ when older and younger
people do not understand each other because of their different experiences,
opinions, habits and behavior”. So ultimately what comes out is a series of clashes
running haywire all across the world.”“ T h i s g a p s t a r t e d w i d e n i n g m o r e & m o r e
& f i n a l l y i n 1 9 9 0 s , t h e r e w a s another big hit. The introduction of Mobile
phones & pagers, TV games ,Computers, etc. caused a drastic change in the lifestyle of
people. The rise in economy led to more n more buyers of automobiles, gizmos.
There began enormous spending on fast food restaurants, entertainment (movies,
malls)and other media. Today, as we can see, the youth is totally dependent on
these technologies. The elders however prefer the older ways of working.
Though any of them have adapted to the new winds, there are many who still sail
their own way. The elders detest the modern ways of partying, youth getting addicted to
alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, etc. The youth, on the other hand, are fed up with the
regular criticism of the elders. The youth prefer the fast & happening life, whereas
the elders prefer the good old hard-working& stable life.” (Shahakar. R, 2008).
PARADIGM OF RESEARCH :
The paradigms which i used in my research are positivist as well as constructivist paradigm.
It is because on a research topic like ‘generation gap’ everyone has their own view points
and perceptions but there are actual facts on it also , as studied earlier that generation gap is
not a big taboo its like there are many people who do not feel any issues because of these
gaps but there are some who really are facing discriminations problems due to this.
Ontology: so ontology says that what is the form of nature and reality ? in this research the
reality is divided into two parts some people believe that generation gap is a fact that cannot
be curbed but some people has their own constructs that generation gap cannot influence the
relationship of a child and parent as it mostly depends on the thoughts of parents only.
Methodology : it means the way in which we actually derived the findings and data .both
qualitative and quantitative date can be used. I have used the the process of questionnaires as
well as personal interviewing method as both the methods can describe the best facts about
the research and help in coming to a tentative outcome.
QUESTIONNAIRE
You are requested to select only one option for each question and answer all
items.
GENDER: _____
QUALIFICATION: ______
AGE:______
1. The idea behind the elder’s strict behaviour is to benefit younger generation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
2. Young generation gets physical, social, psychological and economical protection for their
elders?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
3. Elders always promote and inculcate their cultural values, trends in the young
generation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
4. Elders are source of identity and belongingness for their young generation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
5. Elders are role model for their young generation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
6. Young generation respect elder’s opinion?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
7. Young generation gives preference to elders over their observation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
8. Elders not only help young ones but also try to solve their problems?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
9. Sharing ideas with the older generation help them to understand present situation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
10. Sometimes young’s behaviour is not respectful to their elders?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
11. Young generation thinks elders ideas outdated?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
12. Unreasonable strictness and restriction of elders is a cause of gap between two
generation?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Strongly agree
Agree
Undecided
Strongly disagree
Disagree
TENTATIVE OUTCOME : People belonging to one generation are very
different from the other which is natural. However, the problem arises when people from
different generations try to impose their ideas and beliefs on the other while totally
condemning that of the others’. People must respect each other for their individuality. So by
the research and interviewing and questionnaires I came to a outcome that yes there is a
negative impact on children due to generation gap plus on parents also , they also suffer from
several problems. and these gap can be bridged by understanding each others mentality and
supporting each other in every time and situation an d going hand in hand with full support
and love. so I would end my research again by a quote which says :Respect the young and
chastise your elders, it’s about time the world was set alright. By vera Nazarian.
REFERENCES :
Thapar,v.(2004): A study of value profiles of parents and offspring and generation
gap
Barron ,a.p., and earls,f.(1984) the relationship of temperament and social factors.
Carl pick hardt p.hd Who stole my child (book)
Dr. Pawan kumar Dhiman ,Ms. Seema Jain generations gap- issues and challenges
(pdf)
Generation gap : Wikipedia
https://psychology.i research.net.com/developmental-psychology/adult-development-
and –aging / generation –gap
bridging the generation gap : youth ki awaz
yeda c . Simhadri (ed), Delhi : Ajanta publications ,vol1 (1991)-“the ‘generation gap’
reconsidered ‘’
Mehak Aggarwal, Mahender Singh Rawat , Saumya Singh, Sahil Srivastava , Pammi Gauba-
Generation Gap: An Emerging Issue of Society