Parents have reached out to me whether in casual conversation or online posts, asking about the media and it's influence on my generation. I asked my parents their thoughts. When I asked what they think is the biggest difference, they both agreed that media and the media’s influence has changed the most.
Mom: "When I was growing up, the media was not nearly as big as it is today. It was not as open, invasive, and revealing. I think it’s too sexually-revealing today. But, today we see all different kinds of people meaning whites, blacks, tattooed, bald, old, and young people. This is a good thing. Your generation has no patience and media teaches you that instant gratification is what matters. Nobody wants to wait for anything anymore."
Dad: "The difference is the speed. Social media has made news travel around the world in an instant. When we were younger, it took longer for us to hear the news, you would wait until the Nightly News on TV. Our age is adopting the instant gratification. Not as much and not as fast as your generation, but I think it’s become a part of our society."
Mom: "I worry that people are getting more promiscuous and giving themselves up too easily. I think people date too early and social media has a lot of influence on that. I think social skills have a lot to be spoken for and they are lacking compared to what they used to be."
After speaking with my parents, I feel that I have a better understanding of the differences between my generation and their generation. But I see both good qualities and bad qualities in both. I think a lot of the misunderstandings among our generations is that communication is different. Not only literal communication, like the way we speak to one another or the way we speak about one another, but the way we communicate. We communicate differently than my parents did. We can send a short text and someone can know what we mean. In their day, they had to dial the phone number, walk to the house, or write a letter, depending on the distance.
Think about it.
We expect an answer back within a few minutes, a few hours, again, dependent on the situation. There is a problem with this instant communication, it takes away the importance, it takes away the sincerity, and it takes away the element of surprise. This affects the way we speak to each other, it affects our people-skills, and it certainly affects our self-esteem. I’ve met people who are shy and quiet that resort to looking at their phones. It’s gotten to the point where in social situations if you are feeling left out, you sit on your phone instead of sit there and feel awkward.
But at the same time, our generation has grown up with some incredible pieces of technology, which allow us to be wonderful job prospects and allow us to contribute to society.
Although the media is one large topic that actually engrosses a few other ideas such as the way it affects dating, or the use of technology, there are other things to consider as well. I think it's safe to say that the media's influence has caused a gap among generations.
