Generation to generation: effects of intergenerational interactions on attitudes

ABSTRACT

Intergenerational interactions outside of family relationships are relatively rare. In a time of political and economic divisions, limited intergenerational interactions may foster intergenerational misunderstandings and discord. Generation to Generation, a course for older (age 55+) and younger (18 to 30-year-old) adults, was designed to promote positive intergenerational contact. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessing allophilia, liking for another group, were distributed so that all students in the course rated both younger and older targets. Pre-course, both older and younger students reported greater comfort and kinship for their own age group but greater engagement with the other age group. Post-course, younger students showed significant increases in affection, comfort, kinship, engagement and enthusiasm for older people, whereas older students’ ratings for younger adults remained stable. Results suggest intergenerational interactions in a classroom setting may increase younger adults’ liking for older adults. It is imperative that the generations work together to solve pressing societal issues such as how to support an aging population or protect the changing planet. A course like Generation to Generation may be a first step in facilitating quality intergenerational interactions that promote greater understanding and cooperation.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Melissa Barnett, Stephanie Rodriguez, Sheyenne Dangerfield, Ana Maria Hoffman, and Nicole Strupeni who assisted with data collection and manuscript preparation for this study.

Disclosure statement

We have no conflicts of interest or relevant commercial relationships to disclose.