1. MANAGING INTER-GENERATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
INTERNATIONAL CHRYSALIS INSTITUTE -
EUROPE 2013
john m. dettoni, ph.d.

2. To understand,
appreciate and
work effectively
between generations,
leaders need to understand how various generational subcultures and cultures function.

3. CAUTION!
Much of research literature and studies on intergenerational relationships are seriously flawed and thus are not trustworthy!

4. start with understanding cultural values and orientations

5. CONTINUA of PATTERNS of CULTURAL VALUES ORIENTATION and MAJOR DIMENSIONS of CULTURES and SUBCULTURES

6. CAUTION – PLEASE NOTE!! These items are listed as being on a continuum.
People can be at different points on the continuum depending on age, geographical location, ethnicity, etc.
People are not static. They can and do move because of their own maturation and changes in their relationships and environment.
Just because a person might be on a 3 on one dimension, does not mean he/she is on a 3 on all the other dimensions. While the dimensions are interactive, they are independent variables.

7. 1. GRATIFICATION (satisfaction, fulfillment, reward, pleasure, etc.)
Immediate, w/o regard to consequences, permissive Mediate, thinking, disciplined, evaluate consequences prior to action

8. 2. GOALS Private, personal significance, self- oriented
Collective goals or obligations

9. 3. EVALUATING OBJECTS and PEOPLE - PART 1
Universals, generalizations,
Specific relations to subjective, embedded in particulars (people & general norm objects), immanent relationships
cognitive standards, objective

10. 4. EVALUATING OBJECTS and PEOPLE - PART 2
Via their achievement, performance, outcomes
Specific relations to particulars (people & general objects), subjective, embedded in immanent relationships

11. 5. RIGHTS of OTHERS in RELATION to a PERSON
Undefined, diffused,
Clearly defined, specific, limits known by all
defined by feasibility in light of others

12. 6. RELATIONSHIP of HUMANITY to NATURE and SUPRA-NATURE
Subjugation of humanity to nature, no human control, fatalism
Humanity controls nature, or God works through people, optimistic

13. 7. RELATIONSHIP to TIME
Present orientation, present & future telescoped, slow & natural rhythms
Future orientation, planning, fast, regulated by clock, calendar, technology

14. 8. THINKING
Concrete,
Abstract,
particulars
philosophical

15. 9.NATURE of HUMAN ACTIVITY
Beingness, existential, contemplative, personal, inter- personal
Doing, activity oriented, impersonal

16. 10.NATURE of HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Personal, kinship, relational, suspect of outsiders
Relatively impersonal, recognize non-kin & strangers; strangers handled in relation to their roles

17. 11. NATURE of PERSONALNESS
Goal-oriented, achievement of goals is priority, person is secondary to goal, action, doing
Persons take priority over goals, talking is second to relating, relationships are priority

18. 12. VIEW of the UNIVERSE
Holistic: life & reality composed of one whole; integrated parts in a universal perspective, focus is on the group or society, world, country; ecology or balance of all parts; global perspective, Gestalt

19. 13. USE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA/DIGITAL MEDIA
Little or no contact, little interest,
wide variety of media use, experts in many media,
digital media (internet, mobile phone) are confusing
use many hours per day

20. 14. NATURE of AUTHORITY (who are the “authorities” and culture’s response to authorities)
Authority vested in people who rule; inherited authority; definitive social roles & rules; society centered around authorities who are defined by the authorities;
Diffused, scattered, many authorities, no absolute AUTHORITY,
Defined by individuals
Constantly changing
Ego-centric or “my group’s” authority
AUTHORITY and authority

21. TEN DIMENSIONS of a SUBCULTURE
These dimensions are the basis for how a culture functions.
The 14 values orientation (previous section) are the value positioning.
These 10 dimensions are the foundations for how those value positions function in any given society.

22. Dimension 1
VALUES and NORMS

23. Dimension 2
“Argot” – in-group’s own language or lingo, slang, that is known primarily to the “in” group.
Keeps others from understanding communications between members of the in group

24. 3. Distinct channels of mass communication
Which channels a sub-culture uses – see also #10, technology below
Some channels are completely ignored and others are primary, e.g., social media for teenagers and young adults; news papers for older people

25. 4. UNIQUE STYLES and FADS Clothes Shoes Make up Jewelry
Hair styles and color
Etc.

26. 5. SENSE of SOLIDARITY Feelings of belonging to one’s group
Being accepted and valued by one’s group
Sharing values and life’s perspectives with one’s group

27. 6. STATUS CRITERIA How success is measured
Ownership and use of Sub-culture’s status symbols which include
Language
Fads
Values
Channels of communication
Identification with the sub-culture
Etc.

28. 7. INFLUENCE and POWER OF LEADERS
Who leads the sub-culture: Leaders!
Showing respect for group’s leaders
Allowing group’s leaders to control group and individual values and behaviors
Often charismatic leaders
Leaders are viewed as heroes

29. 8. SUBCULTURAL INSTITUTIONALIZATION to MEET ITS NEEDS
Provides what main culture does not:
Entertainment institutions
Age-related publications and TV. programs and/or stations
Web sites focused on particular demographics
Things to do

30. 9. GEOGRAPHY
Where people actually live: city, suburbs, rural, near large body of water, coastal, lakes, etc., etc.
Location almost as important as any other dimensions

31. 10. USE of TECHNOLOGY
Availability of mechanical technology for transportation (cars, bikes, trains, air planes, etc.)
Electronic/digital technology
Technology allows people to leave their actual location either vicariously (electronic, digital) or literally (some form of transportation)

32. GIVEN the MANY ASPECTS of CULTURES….
What does Scripture teach us about how to function intergenerationally?
Two passages -- see document and questions:
1 Peter 5
1 Timothy 4

33. I. 1 Peter 5:1-11 – Note the contrasts of two types of leaders
I. 1 Peter 5:1-11 – Note the contrasts of two types of leaders. Basically, Peter is saying “Do not be like this” but “Be like this.” List briefly the contrasts in the following sections of 1 Peter 5:
NOT THIS BUT THIS
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
vv. 5-6
v. 7
vv. 8-9 vv

34. 1 Timothy 4:12-16
1. What is the tension between younger people and older ones?

35. 2. Why do some older people look down on younger ones?

36. 3. What is it that younger people do that makes older ones look down on them?

37. 5. What does “public reading of Scripture” have to do with being a younger leader?

38. 6. What does being gifted have to do with being younger?

39. 7. Why the exhortation in vv. 15 and 16
7. Why the exhortation in vv. 15 and 16? What does Paul have in mind by giving these exhortations?

40. III. For all of us:
1 Timothy 5:1 -- Regardless of age (generations) or sex what is the basis of relating to others?