By Maegan Barnes, Sean Johns, Nicole Hatcher, Warren Orlando, Madison Stoltz
Note: As part of a class on facilitating productive conversations in the School of Communication Studies at James Madison University, this student team designed and facilitated a dialogue about perceptions of aging in Fall 2023.
What does it mean to age in society for different generations? What is a true marker of adulthood in society? As a group of students at James Madison University, we had the opportunity to organize an event to foster dialogue across generations, allowing us to explore the benefits of bringing a group together for a constructive conversation. In order to ensure meaningful discussions, we opened up the dialogue to a mix of college students and Lifelong Learners, local retirees of the Harrisonburg community seeking ongoing educational opportunities. Our conversation explored “Coming of Age: How do we navigate the milestones of aging, and what role do societal expectations and generational disparities play in shaping these experiences?” The discussion included societal expectations of family relationships, work and careers, and the impact of social media across the lifespan. Here, we dive into the significance of dialogue, the advantages of bringing intergenerational groups together, and the insights provided by participating individuals.
Connecting Across Generations
The conversation between the generations was rich and meaningful. Several moments were particularly impactful. When the topic turned to changing societal expectations in family relationships, one student discussed her family’s cultural background, emphasizing the importance of keeping family close and respecting elders. After the student shared, a Lifelong Learner responded and related to the student. Coming from the same cultural background, the individual was able to agree and explain how their own familial experiences aligned with the student’s experiences of always staying close to and taking care of family members. After the discussion between the student and the Lifelong Learner, the group became highly engaged, eager to discuss their own cultures and find similarities and differences.
In another example, one Lifelong Learner shared a unique perspective, stating that she never felt societal or familial pressure. She believed that the only expectations she had growing up were to do her chores and obey her parents. However, when the group started to discuss gender issues, she revealed that as a young woman she had limited career options: a teacher or a nurse. She recognized that this was a way she had been impacted by societal expectations. Dialogue can help people by offering a new lens through which to view their experiences and make sense of them.
One instance during facilitation that shows the importance of question flexibility, was when the group started discussing how the norms have changed on when someone is considered to be an adult. During this part of the conversation, a Lifelong Learner was talking about when he perceived people in his life to have reached adulthood. Then, a student asked him what he considered to be attributes of an adult in our society. The dialogue prompted participants to reflect on their views of adulthood, considering at what age they perceive someone as an adult and when they personally feel they have reached adulthood. Originating from a single question, this conversation proved to be very insightful for everyone involved. As facilitators, we were ready to guide this exploration, allowing the participants to delve into the topic, and showing the depth of student-engaged learning.
Dialogue builds empathy and connnection
These discussions served as windows into the multitude of experiences and expectations held by individuals from different generations, creating an environment of mutual learning and understanding. They portray the importance of dialogue as a tool to help individuals from different generations share and learn from each other. The participants in our discussion showed that sharing experiences across generations deepens relationships and encourages reflection. The connections formed through these conversations emphasize the ongoing importance of bridging generational gaps for a richer, more empathetic society.