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The Cultural Rift Impacting Communication between Different Generations
  • September 17, 2024
  • Comments: 66
  • Posted by: cbtkeadmin

By Lambert Oigara, Clinical Psychologist, CBT Kenya

Summary: The article discusses the cultural rift impacting communication between different generations in Kenya, focusing on the contrasting mindsets of older and younger generations. It suggests that embracing growth, humility, and a willingness to learn can help mitigate tensions and foster better generational relationships.

Society today is multicultural, and beliefs infer that Kenya’s current generations do not agree with any particular culture. Equally, cultural dynamics between generations differ significantly, particularly in terms of communication styles and boundaries. As a practitioner, I have often witnessed cultural differences at play between the older generation and the younger generation.

While the older generations, including the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, and some Millennials, generally embrace a collectivist mindset. They emphasize the importance of group goals, shared responsibilities, and communal values. On the other hand, most Millennials and Generation Z lean towards an individualist mindset.

This divergence has, in many aspects, led to misunderstandings, possibly contributing to conflict in Kenyan families. Typically, the younger generation tend to prioritize personal care and well-being, focusing on individual success, and primarily believe in putting themselves first. This however, has been misconstrued as selfish.

In contrast, Generation X and Baby boomers may put the needs and values of their family members and other people they care about first. This, however, may not necessarily mean they don’t practice self-care and focus on individual success. Perhaps their approach to well-being is different from the former. For instance, a Baby boomer will rely on feedback from his peers, religious leaders, or village elder, while the latter will consult a mental health professional, life coach, trusted friends, close family members or the Internet.

These differences have led to the older generations perceiving the younger ones as self-centered and selfish while, in turn, the younger generations view them as controlling and fixed in their mindset, complicating how they relate.

These conflicting yet well-meaning perspectives cause tension and havoc in intergenerational relationships.  It is worth taking note that Generation Z values individualism to promote autonomy, independence, and competitiveness. On the other hand, Baby boomers and their predecessors see the collectivist mindset as a means to harness respect and order within a hierarchical system that fosters togetherness.

Anecdotal accounts from clients I’ve spoken to suggest that the polarized yet well-intentioned beliefs between these generations have created significant rifts within families. The inability to understand and accommodate each other is leading to brinkmanship, inadvertently driving a wedge between family members. Despite their appreciation for each other’s differing views, these divisions are tearing families apart.

One approach to resolving this stalemate is to recognize the value of evolution and growth, even amid differing worldviews. It’s essential to acknowledge that every opinion matters.

Additionally, the view that the older generation is too old school and are unwilling to accept and listen is an assumption that might not apply to all. In the age of concepts like neuroplasticity that deduce people can learn new skills in spite of how old they are, then, humility the willingness to learn, and a positive attitude is all that is needed to make a difference in this generational conundrum.

CBT Kenya, Counselling services in Kenya, Counselling services in Nairobi, The Cultural Rift Impacting Communication between Different Generations, Therapists in Lavington
Author: cbtkeadmin

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