Description
Book SynopsisSocial isolation, loneliness, and suicide are conditions we often associate with the elderly. But in reality, these issues have sharply increased across younger generations. Baby Boomers, Gen X’ers, Millennials, and post-Millennials all report a declining number of friends and an increasing number of health issues associated with loneliness. Even more concerning, it appears that the younger the generation, the greater the feelings of disconnection. Regardless of age, it feels as though we’re living through a period of ongoing disequilibrium because we’re not able to adapt quickly enough to the social and technological changes swirling around us. These powerful changes have not only isolated individuals from their own peers but have contributed to becoming an age-segregated society. And yet we need fulfilling relationships with people our own age and across the generations to lead lives that are rich in meaning and purpose. Even in those rare communities where young and old live near each other, they lack organic settings that encourage intergenerational relationships. In addition, it isn’t technology, but generational diversity that is our best tool for navigating the changes that affect so many aspects of our lives - whether it’s work, entertainment, education, or family dynamics. We can’t restore yesterday’s model of community, where only those who were older transmitted wisdom downward to the generation below. But we can relearn how much members of different generations have to offer each other and recreate intergenerational communities for the 21st century where young, old, and everyone in between is equally valued for their perspectives, and where each generation views itself as having a stake in the other’s success. Here, Hayim Herring focuses more deeply on how Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials perceive one another and looks underneath the generational labels that compound isolation. He offers ways we can prepare current and future generations for a world in which ongoing interactions with people from multiple generations become the norm, and re-experience how enriching intergenerational relationships are personally and communally.
Trade ReviewMost people only have friends their own age. Hayim Herring is passionate about changing that. He shows the value of connections between people of all ages, shares examples of how he has established those connections in his own life, and gives solid advice on creating your own intergenerational community. -- Claire Raines, Co-Author, Generations at Work
Anticipating the Hard Trends that are transforming the future and empowering individuals, organizations, and communities to make wise choices is a strategic imperative. Herring focuses our attention on one Hard Trend that is driving transformational change -the unprecedented reality of having six generations of people alive at one time - and challenges us to replace unhealthy generational conflicts with enriching intergenerational connections. Read this book today! -- Daniel Burrus, Leading Global Futurist and Author of seven bestselling books including his latest The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Change and Disruption Into Opportunity and Advantage
Rabbi Herring's book is a work of imaginative empathy and a hand of friendship extended across the generations. -- Anya Kamenetz, author, The Art of Screen Time
At a time in history rife with rapid technological, demographic, and political change, Connecting Generations provides the reader a timely and valuable set of principles and strategies to help individuals, families, and communities connect in meaningful ways. As a Gen X mother with Millennial and Gen Z kids, and parents of the Silent Generation, I can attest firsthand to the challenges of bridging generational divides. Is ‘friend’ a noun or a verb? Don’t only birds tweet? Isn’t swiping mainly done in anger?! This book helped me not only to contemplate the importance of meaningful connections, but provided my family a roadmap for strengthening them. -- Abigail Gewirtz, PhD, LP, Lindahl Leadership Professor, Dept. of Family Social Science & Institute of Child Development
Table of ContentsChapter 1: An Epidemic of Loneliness? Chapter 2: Generational Stereotypes Chapter 3: Meet the Family Chapter 4: Understanding Community Chapter 5: Education Chapter 6: Are You Your Work? Chapter 7: We’re All Perennials, So Let’s Act Together! Appendix A: Family Technology Action Plan Appendix B: Healthcare Transition Discussion Guide Appendix C: Individual Experts and Organizational Resources
