Is it time to consign the term “intergenerational” to the dustbin, asks an expert.Its positive intepretation, writes Carol Easton, chief executive of the Centre for Ageing Better, is that it “reminds us that we are all influenced by our contexts, environments, and social events and that there are major experiences which change over time”. The negatives are that”it lends weight to generational stereotyping. Baby Boomers are often characterised as traditional and resistant to change; as wealthy; and as being a ‘burden’ on society while having benefited from housing costs and financial benefits that Millennials can only dream about. Millennials are generalised as tech-savvy, ‘snowflakes’ or a generation obsessed with buying takeaway coffee. Both stereotypes are equally absurd, offensive and unhelpful”. It also “unwittingly suggests that generations are clearly defined (which obviously they are not) and that there is inherent difference and conflict between generations. And yet research has demonstrated that this is very far from the truth”.
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