The value of young-old relationship

Dr Md Mahmudul Hassan :

In the progression of age, human beings have to pass from childhood to adolescence, then youth and old adulthood.

Humans are considered adults when they enter the youth. Adulthood is generally divided into several periods: 1. Young Adulthood, which lasts from 18 to 39 years.

The people of this age range are called the new generation. 2. Middle Adulthood, whose duration is limited from 40 to 59 years. People in this period are called middle-aged. 3.

Old Adulthood, which is limited to the period starting from 60 years to 74 years. People of this period are called old, and 4. Elderly Old Adulthood, whose duration is 75 years and above. The people of this period are called elderly old.

However, people in all middle-aged and old aged categories are termed as the elderly old aged in our country.

Many consider them as ‘Murubbi’ in the honorific address. In modern civilization, they are currently called senior citizens all over the world.

In many countries of the developed world, including the United States, a senior citizen is anyone of retirement age or a person who is 60 to 65 years of age or older.

According to the National Elderly Policy-2013, people aged 60 years and above in Bangladesh are elderly.

Currently, the number of senior citizens in Bangladesh is more than one and a half crores. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of senior citizens will exceed two crores.

During the old ages, helplessness and loneliness accompany many of them in their last lives. The old age home is the last place in someone’s life.

At this time, they need special care and services. All the people of the world must grow old with increasing age, and their children may stay young. This is how people go from young to old in the rolling cycle of life.

Today, those who are young from childhood, with the passage of time they may turn into elders.

So if the youths can take special care of their elderly parents, relatives or the elders of the society, then when they join the ranks of the elderly, they will also awaken the true feelings and expectations of the life of the elderly.

In today’s world both the young and the old have a lot of responsibility towards each other. In the life cycle, elders want to be drenched in joy and love like children.

Young people’s special care towards them gives old people the joy of a good life.

On the other hand, in the company of the elders, the youngsters also become rich in knowledge, qualities, skill and experience.

So the more time the younger generation and the older generation can spend together, the more both sides can benefit.

The young have a warm and contagious energy, which helps to bring the joy that the seniors crave.

Research shows that bonding between the elderly and the young helps to build confidence, improve communication skills and develop memory.

Children living in the community can also benefit in many ways due to the good relations between the young and the old.

There are many children, some of whom may not have grandparents of their own, who can benefit greatly from spending time with community elders.

Children can benefit from the knowledge and experience of elders in developing academic competence and moral attributes.

Senior citizens or elders are naturally: very patient and good listeners. They can listen to children with full attention, which helps in developing patience and listening skills in children and youngsters.

The relationship between young and old is an intergenerational one, whose positive bond can benefit both young and old alike. The younger generation can be enriched by the accumulated wealth of knowledge and life experience of the older generation.

Because they can exchange wisdom, skills and life lessons with each other through intergenerational relationships.

As the elders help the younger ones gain insight and guidance, the younger generation may be able to offer their fresh, ‘out of the box’ thinking and problem solving to the elders. This transfer of knowledge helps bridge the generation gap and promotes personal growth for both.

Intergenerational relationships among young and old are linked to improved health and well-being for both.

In this, the younger generation can learn from the inspiration and success stories of the elders and improve cognitive functioning by reducing depression and anxiety.

Intergenerational connections can provide youth with a sense of spirituality, emotional stability, and a positive outlook on life.

It not only improves the personal and family relationships of the youth but also helps in creating a sense of happiness by informing about the tragic events in the society.

When senior citizens or the elder community discuss the historical context, traditional values and different perspectives of their lives, the younger generation can provide insights into the latest technologies, cultural trends and social issues as per the needs of the age.

As this exchange of knowledge improves mutual relations, it increases their ability to understand each other and also helps to enhance intercultural competence.

Intergenerational relationships provide emotional support and companionship for both young and old. Seniors act as mentors or role models for the freshers.

On the other hand, elders often benefit from the energy, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives of younger generations. Each other’s companionship and mutual support keeps them away from feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Connecting with elders develops communication skills, empathy, respect and patience in the youth.

On the other hand, the interaction of the elders with the youths allows them to derive social pleasure and entertainment and creates a kind of emotional stimulation among them.

In essence, youth-senior interaction improves modern technological skills among seniors, gives them the courage to stay physically and mentally strong, and helps them to overcome potential loneliness and depression.

Similarly, the youth can prepare themselves in the light of the global context by taking necessary lessons from the elders and be aware of cultural preservation, social cohesion, anti-ageing, morale building, and health and wellness.

This good relationship between the young and the old creates an inclusive and harmonious environment in the society and improves generational development and social peace and order.

Therefore, our social and national moral responsibility is to reduce all kinds of distance between the young and the old, to increase the health care and awareness of the elderly, to improve the mental health of the elderly, to provide assistance and advice to eliminate the financial crisis in the old age, and to improve the society by removing the desire to send the elderly to old age homes.

Similarly, those of us who are in the elderly community also have a duty to behave responsibly towards the youths to present a civilized and orderly future generation and strive to build a better nationhood.

Hence, we all hope that the relationship between the young and the old will be beautiful and fruitful for a lifetime and that the society will become prosperous with their active participation.

(The writer is an educator, and Principal and President, Bangladesh International Schools Association (BISA))