Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki

In an earlier blog, Generation Gap, dated 4 October 2011, I had written about the Retro, Compromise and the Zap generation.

 Let’s learn what happens in the house of each of this generation. For simplification assume that Retro is the parent of Compromise and Compromise is the parent of Zap generation.

When there are ‘Generations’; ‘Gaps’ can’t be far behind. Generation gaps are nothing but conflicts arising out of difference in attitudes between people of different generations. The key word here is "ATTITUDES". Now attitude is a way of thinking or feeling about someone or something.  A generation gap occurs when older & younger people don't understand each other because of their difference in opinion, experience and nature. Bernard Rosenberg, Dictionary for the Disenchanged, 1972, describes generation gap as a chasm, amorphously situated in time and space that separates those who have grown up absurd from those who will, with luck, grow up absurd. 

There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for age - I missed it coming and going.  ~J.B. Priestly

House of Retro /Compromise generation:

The Compromise generation is defined by the need for savings, the need to sacrifice; they are given to domination by elders, and have a pathological need for security.

Here the son got married brought home a wife, probably an educated but ‘Housewife’, had children and stayed with the parents till the ‘house’ could no longer accommodate all members or the ‘minds’ could not accommodate all views. The need to instill ‘moral/cultural’ values in the next generation, the need for savings, the need to sacrifice determined the way forward to this generation. This generation is scared of Loans and Credits and believes in Savings. They will buy their own house but with their own savings. They do not mind delaying there gratification if they can’t afford it immediately.

This generation considered the next one as its ‘Social security’ in old age.

House of Compromise / Zap generation:

“The Zap Generation” has an ego; they are global, knowledgeable and sexually liberated, they indulge in themselves and have no role models.”

They are the products of Economic liberalization. They start working early.  Earnings are big but so are spending.  They are well versed with the use of Credit and Cards. They are sexually liberated and do not want to be imprisoned by commitment. They marry late. Spouse is usually working. Children are late. (DINKS: Double Income No Kids.)  

They value independence over all other values, and buy their own house immediately (even before or on marriage). They don’t rely on savings but on future cash flow of their salaries. Loans are no taboo but a must. Gratification is not meant to be delayed but enjoyed at once.

First we are children to our parents, then parents to our children, then parents to our parents, then children to our children.

  ~Milton Greenblatt