We keep talking about how us, the new generation, are better than our parents. How we are standing up to the patriarchy (also eff the patriarchy), how we are striving to kill homophobia and how we're bringing in changes to long-term traditions.
But what we forget, is that our parents grew up in a stricter society than ours. For example, I've heard many people talk about how they weren't allowed to talk to teenagers of the opposite sex; or how they'd have no money on them because their parents wouldn't trust them to spend it constructively. This feeling, this loathing of that society made them the parents they are now. The parents we take for granted, wouldn't have been so friendly if their parents would've been ready to listen. Of course, I'm not demeaning the older generation. What I mean is the rigid societal structures back then moulded and shaped our parents' generation. Coupled with that, the world is rapidly globalizing. Being 'out of date' means you're completely out of the game; and so our parents have had to keep updating themselves about what's happening. So, when one of us "millenials" says "oh, y'all had it easy. We're the ones facing all difficulties", I feel it hurts on a deep level.
So let's not take our parents for granted. Let's appreciate how they've grown out of rigid norms and embraced a more friendly approach towards their children. Let's not put them down if they don't understand a certain thing relating to technology - instead, let's smile and teach them whatever we can to the best of our knowledge.
Akshitha:)
