How Intergenerational Activities Help Society
Benefits of Cross-Generation Experiences for Communities
Jun 1, 2009
What is now called intergenerational activities used to be a common part of the culture. As families have moved geographically farther and farther apart, the young and the old hardly know one another. They exist in very separate spheres of life. Yet these two groups have so much to give each other.
Benefits for Older Adults from Intergenerational Activities
- Reinforces cooperation and sense of community for both young and old.
- Teaches oral history while giving seniors a sense of contributing to the future.
- Teaches respect for diversity of cultures and people.
- Increases social skills by motivating youth to take charge of their life both personally and academically.
- Two age groups with time can help each other while doing a project to improve their world.
- Lets Boomers and seniors see their value is still alive and well.
In sum, stronger communication across the generations encourages cultural exchange and collaboration, expands services, maximizes financial and human resources while stimulating socialization and emotional health. Naturally, this improves both the physical and psychological health of each age group.
Some Current Intergenerational Programs Across America
- Miami Dade Public Schools
- Habitat Intergenerational Program
- Universities: Cornell, Temple, Penn State, University of British Columbia
- Mentoring by retirees is ongoing in a wide variety of public and private schools.
- Seniors partnering with youth for music or other hobbies
- Adult or youth service organizations and universities, park and recreation centers, faith-based organizations, retirement communities, or senior centers
- Hawaii Intergenerational Network
- New York City's West End Intergenerational Residence since 1989 catering to three generations, including True Colors addressing needs of youth in Central Harlem (supported for two decades by Grammy Award winner Cyndi Lauper)
- Long Island, New York's think tank for intergenerational programs and policies
- Dowling College course for non-profit employment and volunteerism of senior citizens
Even though there are a number of formal arrangements, across the world intergenerational activities occur informally in churches, families, and communities. However, specific programs keep the vital need before the public eye while assuring increased quantity of relationships across the age spectrum.
Intergenerational Initiative Involving Michele Obama
In Illinois, Michele Obama led Generational Connect discussions in the mid-90's. There were thirty such dialogues between young people and older adults throughout Illinois.
Project Shine Service Learning Program
Project Shine is a national service learning program which supports college students in building relationships with elderly immigrants and refugees through language, literacy, and citizenship tutoring. It is involved with 18 colleges around the United States.
Journal of Intergenerational Relationships
This is a peer-reviewed journal of outstanding approaches to intergenerational practice, policy and research. It's eclectic approach includes a variety of disciplines, as well as scholarship and practice from the field. It is affiliated with National Council on Aging, Generations United, and the International Consortium for intergenerational Programmes.
Generations United
Generations United has environmental activities in Maryland, Massachusetts and Florida. They encourage activities in awareness, research, action, and arts/culture. They've collaborated with Penn State Cooperative Extension to create a user-friendly how-to guide for those wanting to work across generations to develop environmental health programs.
There are many benefits of cross-generation experiences and a number of programs are already active across the country, even one involving Michele Obama. There is even a journal which expands on outstanding approaches to intergenerational practices.
Since the over-65 population is on its way to doubling in the next few years, it seems wise for seniors to participate in intergenerational activities. It could involve mentoring a child on a computer in a public or private school, cooking with a grandkid or neighbor child, or tutoring a math student about money.
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