Conflict of generations


In any community of living entities, there are three main generations: the older, the ripe, and the younger.

Conflict between generations is a normal constant component of the relationship between “senior” and “junior”. Such relationships are conditioned by the very device of biological life. In nature, a new one comes to replace the old, and this process does not stop in space-time. In the human community, the natural change of generations should be regarded as a constant reproduction of cultural differences. At the same time, the parties to the conflict share the way in which this or that generation passes through the stages of growing up and acquiring legal capacity. Modern in culture can keep itself, only undergoing a constant risk of obsolescence. Traditional in culture is preserved through continuous renewal.

Every time speaking about the conflict between generations, between “children” and “fathers”, we turn to the

consideration of the problem at the micro level. That is, in the final analysis, we investigate the problems of relationships in the family. Relations in any family represent an actual model of the conflict of generations (even if it is hidden). On an example of a family typical contradictions of generations existing in society are opened. The interrelations of generations in a certain set of families can be typified by certain criteria, it is in this way that sociology and conflictology study the age and value structure of the entire society. So, summarizing the results and drawing conclusions, we can investigate the conflicts of each new generation with the previous one at the macro level.

In any society at different stages of its being-development, it is possible to single out groups most inclined to various forms of manifestations of conflict at different levels. It is also possible to identify the most conflict-free representatives of the generation, conditionally combining them according to certain values, cultural and psychological features. Each new generation is characterized by a special worldview, spiritual

appearance, interests, attitude to the status position in society.

Mutual relations in society in the twentieth century. (especially in the second half) was characterized by a marked conflict of youth. That is, the dominant role in the initiation and development of changes in society played a youth culture (so, however, it was before). The main difference of this process in the twentieth century. and at the present time it is that the culture of the “young” is determined not by the mainstream of the generation, but by various underground forms, that is, youth subcultures. In general, the conflicts of generations and youth subcultures are an object of constant study for contemporary cultural studies, conflictology, sociology and social psychology.


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Conflict of generations