From Intergenerational to Intergenerative: Towards the Futures of Intergenerational Learning and Health

ABSTRACT

Intergenerational schools and other multi-age contact zones are important innovations in learning and health. In this reflective essay, we explicate the idea of ‘intergenerativity’ as an elaboration of concept of ‘intergenerational’ to include other inter-actions, such as those that form among disciplines, nations, and professions. Based on celebrating diverse ideas and backgrounds, intergenerativity is a future-oriented concept that goes “between” and “among” current modes of thought and action to “beyond”, i.e. new forms of innovation. It challenges dominant reductionist ways of thinking about aging and brain aging—most prominently the outmoded concept of a single curable Alzheimer’s disease. In a time of climate change, economic hardship, and political turmoil, intergenerative learning is key to healthier individuals and communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational
• intergenerativity
• transdisciplinarity
• health
• Alzheimers
• dementia

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Peter Whitehouse

Dr. Peter Whitehouse is a Professor of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University and the University of Toronto, and a member of the International Center for Transdisciplinary Research and Studies

Daniel George

Dr. Daniel George is an Associate Professor, Department of Humanities, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine