Does Age Really Divide?

Generation gaps can exist in the use of language, entertainment, and technology, but the flip side is that generations often care about and take an interest in one another. This intergenerational caring most often occurs in families. For example, my Mom relocated to be closer to her grandchildren. She wanted to help with babysitting and enjoy watching them develop. The interest in intergenerational interaction isn’t just for grandparents. There are a growing number of intergenerational activities proving that age does not itself divide. If people become isolated from others outside their own generation, then it is easy to forget that much can happen when people from different generations come together. Intergenerational learning programs can help young students learn to read, students of all ages learn a new language, and promote health among young and old alike. The Council of the Third Age is working to expand their intergenerational programs, and you can read about the art project between young teens and older adults here http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1206008/1/.html The past couple of decades have increased the number of colleges and universities that are connected to retirement communities. A growing number of retired volunteers are adding to the intergenerational mix. Read about Ruth: one example of such a person here http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/06/placemaking-kastenmayer.html Even among advocate groups in the U.S. the solidarity among generations is becoming evident. One recent example is from the organization Our Bodies Ourselves. Though a primary focus of this organization has been promoting public education about menopause, their most recent campaign aims to support information about reproductive rights and access to contraception. The name of the campaign is Our Bodies Our Votes http://ourbodiesourvotes.com/. Check out these photos at http://ourbodiesourvotes.tumblr.com/

Timeout

For those of you who became regular readers of my blog, I apologize for my time away. I work full-time and am trying to finish a doctoral dissertation. To do this for anyone is a challenge but figuring in my disability means my life is pretty much all work and no play. A friend of mine was lamenting the other day that he hadn’t had a vacation in over a year. I was outwardly sympathetic, but inside I didn’t know whether to scream or laugh. My rent just went up 9%, I couldn’t find a more affordable place to live that was accessible to public transportation, and my last vacation was during the previous presidential administration. I did understand my friend’s desire for time away; I often dream of stopping the clock so I can get caught up or escape to a vacation spot. Still, I have it better than many others. During these economically difficult times, we all have had our struggles, but no group of people have struggled more than those living with a disability. We are the largest minority group, the most discriminated against, and the group with the highest unemployment. For those with post-secondary education, it is extremely difficult to find a good-quality job outside the disability field. Don’t misunderstand, the disability field is filled with fulfilling work for many people with and without a disability, but it isn’t a field for every person living with a disability. This “Glass Box effect” for people with disabilities limits their job prospects, often puts their educational background at odds with the jobs they can get hired to do, and perpetuates societal stereotypes about people with disabilities. It also insures that many people with a disability never get a mental break from dealing with disability-related issues like affordable housing, accessible transportation, and managing life with a disability.