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As the pandemic proceeds, that sense of esprit de corps and we're-all-in-this-together becomes more and more important. We pay lip service to the idea, of course. And for National Seniors Day on October 1, the National Association of Federal Retirees marked the occasion with a new poster that proclaimed "I support intergenerational solidarity." But do we really practise what we preach? Much of the time, I'd have to say no.
As positive cases of the virus infiltrate ever-younger demographics, I see a disturbing trend in the prevailing public narrative to put it down to the irresponsibility of youth. "Young people think they're invincible," the narrative goes. "They're selfish, self-centred and egotistical. They're hedonistic, they live in the moment, they only care about partying and they have no thought whatsoever for the consequences of their actions!"
Frankly, it's more than a little ironic and hypocritical. I mean my generation of baby-boomers was the one which didn't trust anyone over thirty. Now we're saying not to trust anyone UNDER thirty? Or perhaps under forty?
You can find irresponsible people in any age group, whether you believe they're "old enough to know better" or you put it down to immaturity and inevitable lack of judgement. Are the majority of younger people irresponsible? Personally I don't think so. There are plenty of high-profile young people out there who are determined to change the world for the better. And for every high-profile youth leader out there, I'm sure there are thousands of lower-profile young people applying their youthful talents, energy, idealism and determination to working in their own communities to make the world a better place.
But let's look at the practicalities of the situation too. People in their twenties, thirties and even into their forties are probably the least likely to have the option to just stay home and not socialize. They are getting themselves launched in life as best they can - establishing new relationships outside their original families, getting an education, moving into jobs and careers and houses and mortgages and having children of their own. They're also likely to have "sandwich generation" issues - worrying about their kids as well as aging parents and maybe even a grandparent or two in long-term care, all while looking after their own health and well-being. Selfish? I think not!
With regard to the situation in Europe, I found this piece on the importance of intergenerational solidarity to grappling with and emerging from the pandemic. It was written six months ago but seems just as relevant as we move through the second wave:
https://ieep.eu/news/intergenerational-solidarity-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-for-europe-s-recovery
Perhaps some of the problem lies in the terminology we use. "Solidarity" might tend to imply we should all agree with each other when in reality, we are looking at things from different vantage points and perspectives. Should we instead speak of intergenerational harmony? Or dialogue? Or connections and connectivity?
As positive cases of the virus infiltrate ever-younger demographics, I see a disturbing trend in the prevailing public narrative to put it down to the irresponsibility of youth. "Young people think they're invincible," the narrative goes. "They're selfish, self-centred and egotistical. They're hedonistic, they live in the moment, they only care about partying and they have no thought whatsoever for the consequences of their actions!"
Frankly, it's more than a little ironic and hypocritical. I mean my generation of baby-boomers was the one which didn't trust anyone over thirty. Now we're saying not to trust anyone UNDER thirty? Or perhaps under forty?
You can find irresponsible people in any age group, whether you believe they're "old enough to know better" or you put it down to immaturity and inevitable lack of judgement. Are the majority of younger people irresponsible? Personally I don't think so. There are plenty of high-profile young people out there who are determined to change the world for the better. And for every high-profile youth leader out there, I'm sure there are thousands of lower-profile young people applying their youthful talents, energy, idealism and determination to working in their own communities to make the world a better place.
But let's look at the practicalities of the situation too. People in their twenties, thirties and even into their forties are probably the least likely to have the option to just stay home and not socialize. They are getting themselves launched in life as best they can - establishing new relationships outside their original families, getting an education, moving into jobs and careers and houses and mortgages and having children of their own. They're also likely to have "sandwich generation" issues - worrying about their kids as well as aging parents and maybe even a grandparent or two in long-term care, all while looking after their own health and well-being. Selfish? I think not!
With regard to the situation in Europe, I found this piece on the importance of intergenerational solidarity to grappling with and emerging from the pandemic. It was written six months ago but seems just as relevant as we move through the second wave:
https://ieep.eu/news/intergenerational-solidarity-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters-for-europe-s-recovery
Perhaps some of the problem lies in the terminology we use. "Solidarity" might tend to imply we should all agree with each other when in reality, we are looking at things from different vantage points and perspectives. Should we instead speak of intergenerational harmony? Or dialogue? Or connections and connectivity?
