C-Ville Weekly - One of the most popular videos produced by AARP is called "What is Old?" A group of millennials are asked to say what age they consider to be “old” and to show what “old” looks like to them. Most say 40s, 50s, and 60s and then pretended to hobble across the street using a cane and write a text message on their phones using one finger while squinting at the screen. Then each millennial is paired with an older person and something changes. A 55-year-old does a perfect yoga balance on a small block, something one millennial can’t do. A 70-year-old does karate moves with his younger partner. They teach each other dance moves, balancing exercises. The result?
The millennials quickly change their minds about what they thought “old” was. “Old, now, to me is, like, 100,” says one millennial.
What's striking about the video is how intimate the connection becomes between the two generations. Most are holding hands, embracing, or smiling brightly as they describe their experience. The experiment reveals how energized both the millennials and older people were by the experience. It's a fun video.
However, the experiment also reveals how strong the false perceptions and societal walls are between generations, something that can damage the fabric of society. As the American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Connections between generations are essential for the mental health and stability of a nation.”
Indeed, during a pandemic in which younger and older people had to isolate from each other for health reasons, addressing this disconnectedness is more important than ever. While we know that loneliness and isolation are health risks for older people, a situation that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, younger generations are suffering from loneliness and isolation as well. While Gen Z and Millennials are more "plugged on" than ever in this age of social media, research shows they are also two of the most lonely generations.
“While the digital world is seen as a social space, you usually don’t get the deeper connections that humans need (and get) from real life,” psychologist Nancy Sokarno told Refinery29. “Ironically, these platforms that are designed to bring people closer together, can in turn, contribute to and heighten feelings of loneliness and fear of personal failure — all of which impact negatively on our mental health.”
“We seem to understand the value of having diverse relationships and connections with people of different socioeconomic, faith, racial or other backgrounds. The same is true for engaging with a wide variety of ages,” said Peter Thompson, executive director of The Senior Center.
“A community is made up of all ages, and the strength of the community depends on all generations,” said Marta Keane, CEO of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA).
While the causes of loneliness and isolation can be complex, and are different for everyone, societal perceptions that isolate generations from each other, especially during this time, need to change. Now more than ever young people and older people need each other's support. So what can you do?
Much can be done simply by making micro-gestures in our daily lives as we emerge from the pandemic. Why not think about striking up a conversation with a person of a different generation who you see in the grocery store, at a coffee shop, at a Little League game, or walking in your neighborhood? Make the connection. You never know what kind of cool stuff you might learn. Volunteering is also one of the greatest ways to engage across the generations. Visual and performing arts groups also have roles to play in bringing generations together. Game groups, like chess clubs, and some recreation groups, like golf, bowling, or walking and hiking, are available for all ages.
“Generations have so much to learn from one another," says Keane. "The seniors have wisdom and experience to share. They can provide guidance and encouragement, and demonstrate the joy of life. Younger generations have ideas without assumptions/biases and can be open to new ideas. They might stretch what is in one’s comfort zone.”
David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA).
This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.