A common and popular theme of daily soaps and Bollywood Masala movies from time galore has been the tumultuous and dramatical fights between generations.  It is actually a rare universal reality portrayed by the glitzy celluloid which can actually be termed a household affliction a la ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki’. And one of its most relevant reasons is the ‘Generation Gap.’

Simply, it is the accusation that the differences in age lead to misunderstandings of one another’s needs, lifestyles, perspectives objectives and basically, an individual himself. But the other side of the coin is that one just refuses to recognize the differences of time, space and also possibly, friends and clothes. And of course, the ever-broadening threat of ‘the influence of the Wild West,’ bent on ruining the country’s youth and culture but  which has been a fact from the beginning of Easter civilization, most evident in works of Indian scholars from the Vedic Age.

A deeper look reveals the mystery though. The older generations refuses to remember their own rebellious, deeply individualistic, irresponsible and fun-loving days of their youth. Or maybe they remember it too well. Hence an insecurity of their offspring’s well-being is not unnatural.  The young, with the reckless impetuousness of their age, do not care for the older and thus, wiser’s experience of having been through these very years. And having survived them. But it can be said in defense that the young are simply eager to make their own mistakes, learn from them and pave their own path. This is what leads to a wall in communication, a vital aspect in any relationship.    

A ‘Generation Gap’ is no other than an escapist’s scapegoat for shirking responsibility and sensitivity of one’s actions for another and maybe a little adjustment. Solutions are actually very blatant. The path is clear. One only needs to turn, face it and take the first few steps. After all, what can one lose?

A post note: Some families, however, are truly hopeless.

(Article contributed by Vidya)