Generation Gap and Communication Barriers between Parents and Youth: A Sociological Study

Abstract

The present study explores the communication gap and generation gap between parents and youth from the sociological point of view. The research seeks to examine the effect of parents' and youth's values, lifestyle, media technology use, education, and family decision-making and expectations on parent-youth relationships. The research paradigm used was interpretivist,  ontological position constructivist and epistemological position was subjectivist. The approach to the study was qualitative to gain insight into the lived experiences and perceptions of youth in relation to family communication. Ten respondents who met the authors' purposive sampling criteria were interviewed using a semi-structured format to gather data. Data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results show that the traditional parental authority, modern youth culture, the use of social media, dependence on mobile phones, and weak family discussion are the main factors that form the gap between generations. Parents being judgmental, strict and lacking in emotional support and trust, young people's reluctance to discuss personal matters and worries with parents are identified as reasons for not being able to share this information. The study also revealed that lack of communication leads to emotional distance, secrets, misunderstanding and family conflicts. It is concluded that the need of the hour in this era is to have open communication, active listening, respect and balanced parenting in order to diminish communication barriers and enhance parent-youth relationship.