3/5 24 Generation Gap (3) Wakimoto I suppose baby boomers and their kids are getting along much better than earlier generations of parents and their children. Am I right? Hughes Yes, the generation gap has narrowed and mellowed quite a bit in recent years. That wasn't always the case. There used to be a huge gap in terms of understanding and basic values between the generation that grew up in the Depression and fought World War 11 and their offspring. Wakimoto Right. In the 1960s, the two generations went head-to-head over divisive issues such as the Vietnam War, sexuality and civil rights.
That gave rise to the term "counterculture" to describe disaffected young people of the era who rejected many of the values held by their parents.
Nowadays, the generation gap is more a matter of amiable disagreement than a deep, acrimonious divide between parents and their kids. Hughes Right. It's as if they've agreed to disagree. Today's younger generation isn't necessarily challenging or questioning the core values of their parents. Wakimoto Even if they don't agree about everything, there's better communication between the generations these days as well. I think there's more willingness on the part of parents to give their kids their own space. They don't want to control every aspect of their children's lives.