Generations and generational conflict
Social, economic, political and cultural problems are increasingly framed as problems of generations. The Baby Boomers, in particular, stand accused of monopolising society’s resources and leaving younger generations bereft. Such claims tend to be motivated by wider anxieties to do with, for example, social policy and the allocation of resources, such as pensions and healthcare; the role of the family, and the relationship between adults and children in wider society; the relationship between demographic trends and social events; ageing and the role of the elderly; and broader existential questions relating to knowledge and time. Our work in this area has challenged the divisive and reductive logic of ‘generational conflict’ narratives, while also exploring how the concept of generation can help us to understand questions of knowledge, time, and socialization in an era of cultural fragmentation. One part of the work is a book series, Generations, Transitions and Social Change dedicated to exploring generations. You can read about the Generations Network here as well as a full list of books and publications here. A selection of articles is below.
Read on:
‘Talking about generations: 5 questions to ask yourself‘
‘Post-Brexit Boomer blaming: The contradictions of generational grievance.’
Les «parents hélicoptères»: une socialisation incertaine des adultes en devenir
‘Reporting the Riots: Parenting Culture and the Problem of Authority in Media Analysis of August 2011’