ABSTRACT

Summary The purpose of this chapter is to draw out a newly emerging model of intergenerational relationships, called Generational Intelligence. It takes as its starting point the degree to which it is possible to place oneself in the position of a person of a different age or in what has been designated as a different generation. In it, we explore an approach that is based on how generations are experienced as part of everyday social life. A point we make is, that in a time of changing roles and expectations it is important to re-focus attention to the processes that underpin these kinds of relationships. To this end, a working distinction is made between the informational ‘intelligence’ that is culturally available to social actors and the degree to which it is possible to think and act ‘intelligently’ within that defining context. This is followed by four steps that someone would need to take to become critically aware of age and generational identity as a factor in social relationships. The steps include a growing awareness of oneself as being influenced by age and generation, so that in the end it is possible to recognize one’s personal generational distinctiveness. Other steps follow from this, such as understanding other people based on similarities and differences between generations, becoming critically aware of the values underlying social assumptions about generations and adult ageing and finally, acting in a manner that is generationally aware. In this manner, we work towards an understanding of two key aspects of intergenerational relations. First, the degree to which it is possible to place oneself in the position of the age-other and second, the possibility of working towards negotiated and sustainable solutions.