Dong Yimeng. How to resolve conflicts in the family [EB OL].（2024-01-09）
The topic of family respect for the elderly does not seem to attract attention, but the phenomenon of intergenerational concept conflict and the opposition between "previous waves" and "later waves" is not uncommon, indicating that intergenerational conflicts are still common, and the integration of the perspectives of intergenerational people requires more efforts from young people.
Respect its concept:
Embrace the differences between old and new concepts
Traditional ideas, especially those related to family ethics, social order and moral code, have been gradually diluted in today's society. Many people of the older generation were born in a family and grew up in an era, so they will naturally be influenced by this family and era. In their view, traditional values are a part of their lives and a magic weapon for them to walk the rivers and lakes. As a result, they will inevitably become unfamiliar with those emerging ideas.
The new generation of people lives in a wider world, they are well-informed, forward-thinking, and more receptive to new things. They do not completely reject the idea of tradition, but want to find a balance between tradition and modernity. They aspire to build a better future on the basis of tradition.
As society grows, new generations have embraced more and more modern ideas, including individualism, egalitarianism, and liberalism, among others. These ideas are very different from the traditional ideas of the older generation. This kind of conflict is mainly manifested in family relations, educating children, etc. The older generation tends to stick to the traditional way of homeschooling, while the new generation is more inclined to accept Western educational concepts. Due to differences in concepts, family conflicts and conflicts are inevitable. This conflict can lead to alienation and indifference between family members.
Understanding its concerns:
Understand why the elderly are worried
Older people are often afraid of losing their family status. With the rapid development of society and the gradual growth of the younger generation as the backbone of the family, the older generation may feel that their status in the family has declined. This concern is not uncommon, as family structures, roles, and relationships can change over time. Older generations may have once been the nucleus of the family, but the rise of a new generation may make them feel like they are no longer needed or respected. This worry can lead older generations to feel lonely, lost, and anxious.
Older people generally have a desire to share. The older generation has worked hard to accumulate a great deal of experience and wisdom, and they know that these are priceless treasures that have a vital impact on the future and future of their children and grandchildren. They hope to pass on this experience and wisdom to the next generation to help them better meet the challenges of the future. However, with the development of the times and the progress of society, new ideas and ideas were gradually introduced, which made the older generation begin to worry about whether their experience and wisdom were still applicable. They fear that their children and grandchildren will stop valuing their experience and wisdom because they have embraced new ideas.
The elderly generally have a certain degree of resistance. While older generations may identify with some modern ideas, traditional ideas are so ingrained in their minds that it may be difficult for them to truly embrace these new ideas. It's like an invisible barrier that prevents them from connecting with modern society. At the same time, it also means that the older generation may face some problems that are not adapted to modern life, such as communication barriers with young people, unfamiliarity with technology, etc.
Give it protection:
Communication, respect, and strong family affection
Differences in perceptions between us and older generations often lead to their concern. They fear that the new generation is denying their values, but in reality, we are just looking for a balance. Through communication, we can better understand their thoughts and concerns and express our views and attitudes. We can let them know that we are not completely rejecting their values, but that we are seeking a blend and balance. We can respect their traditions and cultures, while also expressing our views and attitudes. Only through such communication can we better understand each other and dispel misunderstandings and concerns.
It is important to be clear that educating the new generation to respect the views and concerns of older persons does not mean that they are stuck to the past, but rather that they can better understand and respect older persons while also being able to embrace and learn new ideas. We need to make young people understand that the new ideas are not a complete negation of the past, but a supplement and improvement of the past. This kind of education not only helps to alleviate intergenerational conflicts, but also promotes social harmony and progress.
Although the clash between old and new ideas is inevitable, family harmony and kinship have always occupied a crucial position. When dealing with family relationships, we should try to find common ground and seek common development on the premise of mutual respect. This not only helps to maintain family harmony, but also breathes new life into family relationships. Through communication, understanding and inclusion, we can resolve conflicts and achieve harmonious coexistence. In fact, no matter how times change, family harmony and affection are always the most important links between family members. The collision of old and new ideas should not spoil this relationship. While older generations may struggle to understand new ideas, we should encourage them to see the positive aspects of new ideas and work together to make progress in the family.
In short, the current society is changing, but many older generations still adhere to traditional values such as filial piety, respect for the elderly, emphasis on family values and hierarchies, and a deep adherence to local culture. This is incompatible with the individualism, egalitarianism, and liberalism that the new generation embraces. In such an era, we should not force the older generation to fully accept modern ideas, but should be able to tolerate and understand the new generation while respecting them. We need to find a common ground between these two generations, so that traditional values can be passed on and carried forward in the new era. After all, both traditional and modern concepts are part of human civilization and an important tool for us to understand ourselves and the world.