Janis Gomme-CampbellEduc 339, sect. 001

Generation Interview Comparison

This is a hurried world, and finding someone willing to stop for a few minutes to

interview proved difficult. When I was finally able to get a willing participant, they

seemed happy to answer my questions truthfully. I found that two younger subjects,

41 and 17, did not elaborate as much as their female elder. In fact, I returned to the Dairy

Queen to re -interview the younger female subject, hoping I could gain insight to her

original answers; however, she was not working that day.

The interview I enjoyed doing most was the elder woman. She reminded me of

my own mother, kind and a little feisty. When I explained I needed some questions

answered, she gave me her undivided attention; it was almost as if she was on-stage, in

the spotlight, and enjoyed it! I sat down beside her on the couch, and began asking

questions. She always hesitated before giving me a thoughtful answer, or perhaps,

remembering back to days-gone-by was difficult for her. The last question I asked

her was, "What do you think was the greatest technological invention?" Her eyes

lit up as if reliving the moment when John Glenn set foot on the moon. There was never

the skepticism that it was all contrived, as some would have you believe. World

War II was heating up when she was born, and families lived by a different set of values

than what is considered normal today. Americans stuck together and believed in

our government. We were patriotic, intertwined, and some might say, naive.

It was easy to pin down my 41-year-old male subject, because he is my husband.

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When I asked him to elaborate on some answers, he would shrug his shoulders. Granted,

he may not be the most talkative guy, but he troubleshoots any problem I come up against

when it comes to the computer--saving me money and a mountain of aggravation! He

works as a commercial kitchen designer, prepares blueprints, oversees installation,

and elaborates with the health department. I have watched him work, and am amazed at

his knowledge and agility when handling the Auto-Cad. He is an expert at his job and it

shows. He is a "right now" kind of person, impatient more often than not. If he were not

my husband, I seriously doubt he would have stopped to answer questions, which would

have, in turn, made me feel rushed and would have rendered my interview useless.

Finally, my female youth was the most difficult to interview. Her attention span

was that of a nat. She was not giving me her full attention, and although she looked at me

directly, I felt as though she was thinking of something else ("Did I remember to text my

BFF?") Now, if I didn't already work with kids, I would be apt to make a generalization

that all teenagers are disrespectful of the older generation, but I know that is not true.

However, this particular young lady seemed preoccupied, even though there were no

customers in the store. At this point, you might be thinking, why not another young

subject? Well, to be honest, I have asked myself that same question... That aside, I felt as

if, when she gave me an answer, that she was looking for my approval, as if she were

thinking, "Is that okay...because then I won't have to think of another answer."

When I turned to leave, out came the IPod. Social media has a death-hold on some

people; a grip so tight that face-to-face conversation becomes uncomfortable.

In the end, we have three different generations, with three different

characteristics, and three different attitudes about technology. My elder female was

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impressed with how technology had advanced us, while her younger counterpart seemed

unfazed, never having lived in a world when electronics wasn't available to her. I wonder

if one day, our next generation will be offered instruction on proper social etiquette;

a world where technology, unity, and face-to-face interaction will coexist. Just one

minute--let me put down my Nook and ponder that...

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