Stepping on “Generation Gap”
The “Generation Gap” has become a really popular topic in modern society. In America, more and more young people promote “freedom” and “independence.” In their mind, freedom means to have their own space, and they are free to isolate themselves from their parents. Independence means the maturity and not having to listen to your elders. Many young people move out of their homes when they turn 18 years old. They like new technology, new fashion, new challenges, but they do not want to share these new things with their parents. There is a lack of communication with their parents. Also, many of them prefer to break away from their past. Gradually, they are separating from their parents. On the other hand, many parents always think that they have a lot of life experiences. They are qualified to decide everything for their children without listening to their children's opinions. Many parents assume that since they are older, they inherently know better than their children. Neither side is willing to compromise, the generation gap is created. However, “Late-Night Chitlins with Momma” by Audrey Petty and “A Great Treat of Ice Cream” by Walt Whitman convey a totally different idea when the entire gambit of emotions, ranging from happiness to misery is shared between two generations, and creating the gap to no longer exist.
In the present, many parents are going out to work. They are busy with their jobs because many of them think that making more money for their children will help provide for their children's future. However, this is a misunderstanding between two generations. In fact, staying and playing with their children is the most valuable thing in the world because people cannot make up for lost time with their children. Some parents also feel that they owe their children a lot. They try to buy their children everything to satisfy them. During childhood, all children are innocent and simple, but their parents promote the idea that material possessions are the most important. On the other hand, many children are willing to share their experiences at school with their parents. Some parents do not care about them and respond with: “Go do your homework.” When the children want to get involved in family affairs, their parents ignore them, sometimes even shout at them, “How could you know? Shut up!” The parents think that they are superior and do not want to get any support from their children. The parents' actions have created a shadow in their little children's hearts. Parents etch a line for their children and warn them not to cross it.
In “Late-Night Chitlins with Momma” by Audrey Petty, the mother has set a great example that all parents should follow. As parents age, they still need support from their children. Actually, most children are willing to be the supporter of their parents. The younger Audrey Petty supported her mother by eating chitlins that she did not particularly enjoy. However, chitlins brought Petty and her mother closer. The chitlins that her mother made had a great influence on their later life. When Petty was in France, chitlins made her think about her mother. She stated, “But I couldn't imagine eating his chitlins. Not without my mothers company” (Petty 77). She enjoyed supporting her mother as her mother's company. Chitlins also become their conversation topic. She was happy to share “her mother's excitement about the new technology in chitlin processing” (Petty 78). Petty and her mother show people that the generation gap is something that people can overcome.
Technology is expanding while society is developing. It has invaded every facet of everyday life. Many young people would rather sit in front of computer to talk with an unknown person, but not turn their head around when their parents call for them. Some young people give up every chance to stay around their parents. They even feel annoyed when their parents want them to help with new technology. Many children rely on their parents to go to college and get educated. However, they feel ashamed that their parents are uneducated. Some young people do not view their parents as a valuable resource. In their eyes, their parents are there for monetary support. On the street, many stores sell a poster that describes the relation between parent and children. There is a sentence on the poster, “Children cannot live without their parents' money.” It is easy to see that the generation gap has become a serious problem in modern society.
Additionally, as time progresses, even though technology has made more convenient ways to communicate, such as phone, e-mail, and some on-line chatting tools, many children would not like to make a phone call, or leave a message for their parents. However, in “A Great Treat of Ice Cream” by Walt Whitman, he is a great son who respects his mother. Comparing the children in modern time with him, it is easy to see that most of children in modern time lack respect toward elders. Even though the telephone was not invented at the time, he gives his respects to his mother by writing a letter. He shares his feelings with his mother. He tells his mother about what is going on in a military hospital. The environment around him is so miserable. Many patients are on the brink of death (O’Neill 1). Even though he knows his mother cannot help in this terrible situation, he still wants to share his feelings with his mother. In China, there is a saying, “When happiness is shared, it becomes doubled. When misfortune is shared, it becomes halved.” Walt Whitman brings up a great idea that the generation gap would not exist if people tried to communicate with each other.
While many young people are promoting “freedom” and “independence,” the generation gap becomes wider from the misunderstanding of the real definition of these two words. While many parents are busy doing their jobs, there is a generational wall that is set between parents and children. Many people believe that if people can create a generation gap, they can also close it. In order to avoid this invisible generation gap, two generations should learn to be able to communicate with each other well, to be supportive, and to be understanding.
In the present, many parents are going out to work. They are busy with their jobs because many of them think that making more money for their children will help provide for their children's future. However, this is a misunderstanding between two generations. In fact, staying and playing with their children is the most valuable thing in the world because people cannot make up for lost time with their children. Some parents also feel that they owe their children a lot. They try to buy their children everything to satisfy them. During childhood, all children are innocent and simple, but their parents promote the idea that material possessions are the most important. On the other hand, many children are willing to share their experiences at school with their parents. Some parents do not care about them and respond with: “Go do your homework.” When the children want to get involved in family affairs, their parents ignore them, sometimes even shout at them, “How could you know? Shut up!” The parents think that they are superior and do not want to get any support from their children. The parents' actions have created a shadow in their little children's hearts. Parents etch a line for their children and warn them not to cross it.
In “Late-Night Chitlins with Momma” by Audrey Petty, the mother has set a great example that all parents should follow. As parents age, they still need support from their children. Actually, most children are willing to be the supporter of their parents. The younger Audrey Petty supported her mother by eating chitlins that she did not particularly enjoy. However, chitlins brought Petty and her mother closer. The chitlins that her mother made had a great influence on their later life. When Petty was in France, chitlins made her think about her mother. She stated, “But I couldn't imagine eating his chitlins. Not without my mothers company” (Petty 77). She enjoyed supporting her mother as her mother's company. Chitlins also become their conversation topic. She was happy to share “her mother's excitement about the new technology in chitlin processing” (Petty 78). Petty and her mother show people that the generation gap is something that people can overcome.
Technology is expanding while society is developing. It has invaded every facet of everyday life. Many young people would rather sit in front of computer to talk with an unknown person, but not turn their head around when their parents call for them. Some young people give up every chance to stay around their parents. They even feel annoyed when their parents want them to help with new technology. Many children rely on their parents to go to college and get educated. However, they feel ashamed that their parents are uneducated. Some young people do not view their parents as a valuable resource. In their eyes, their parents are there for monetary support. On the street, many stores sell a poster that describes the relation between parent and children. There is a sentence on the poster, “Children cannot live without their parents' money.” It is easy to see that the generation gap has become a serious problem in modern society.
Additionally, as time progresses, even though technology has made more convenient ways to communicate, such as phone, e-mail, and some on-line chatting tools, many children would not like to make a phone call, or leave a message for their parents. However, in “A Great Treat of Ice Cream” by Walt Whitman, he is a great son who respects his mother. Comparing the children in modern time with him, it is easy to see that most of children in modern time lack respect toward elders. Even though the telephone was not invented at the time, he gives his respects to his mother by writing a letter. He shares his feelings with his mother. He tells his mother about what is going on in a military hospital. The environment around him is so miserable. Many patients are on the brink of death (O’Neill 1). Even though he knows his mother cannot help in this terrible situation, he still wants to share his feelings with his mother. In China, there is a saying, “When happiness is shared, it becomes doubled. When misfortune is shared, it becomes halved.” Walt Whitman brings up a great idea that the generation gap would not exist if people tried to communicate with each other.
While many young people are promoting “freedom” and “independence,” the generation gap becomes wider from the misunderstanding of the real definition of these two words. While many parents are busy doing their jobs, there is a generational wall that is set between parents and children. Many people believe that if people can create a generation gap, they can also close it. In order to avoid this invisible generation gap, two generations should learn to be able to communicate with each other well, to be supportive, and to be understanding.
posted by listening^_^ at 9:22 PM
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