Roundup: Generations

Tuesday, 07 August 2012 13:17

More than 125 people from Northwest Texas and New Mexico attended Roundup 2012 in Lubbock.

Craig Kennet Miller of the General Board of Discipleship provided an overview of generational differences. He noted the lack of trust that developed for the Baby Boomers (ages 49-66) as a result of changes in society as they were growing up. He noted that people such as President Richard Nixon and evangelist like Jimmy Swaggert were not the people they were thought to be and a mistrust of institutions and leaders developed.

Miller reviewed the changes in media.

"We are no longer living in a face-to-face world," he said. "We experience the world through our technological devises." For previous generations, the world was experienced through newspapers, books and being at a place.

Other topics Miller discussed was the constant distractions around us, blurring of the boundaries between work and leisure, spirituality instead of religion and the change in our communities.

How we grew up plays a large part in how we act and believe as adults.

In the past children went to the same school, now there are choices. Children played on the playground, now there are organized activies. In the past, neighborhoods were filled with families and children who stayed in that location for long periods of time. Today, 28 percent of Americans live alone and 43 percent are unmarried. The average person lives in one place four years.

All of these things bring about generational differences. Understanding that, helps one know how to address issues and reach all people know matter their age.

A variety of workshops were offered relating to generational issues. Details of future training opportunities will be shared as they are available.