Create Your Ideal Intergenerational World

Introduction:

In our society, we tend to give people roles and positions based on their age. In part because of this, people are more likely to interact with people of the same age. Part of the idea behind the International Year of Older Persons, the UN designated year of 1999, is to encourage an age-inclusive society. This will be accomplished in part by breaking down or exploding the myths and stereotypes that confront older persons in their daily lives.

There are many benefits to interaction between generations: friendships are formed, assistance is provided, lessons are learned and both young and old break through the generation gap.

This activity will allow the class to create a world in which all generations are represented, a world in which ageism does not exist and a world in which every person is valued.

Objectives:

• to understand that older persons have much to contribute to society;
• to realize that younger people have much to learn from older persons, and vice versa.

Suggested time: Take home assignment.

Materials:

1. Imagination.

Evaluation based upon:

• creativity and content of report; and
• ability of students to integrate people of all ages into their "Ideal Worlds."

Set up:

Ask the students to write a two to three page report detailing their "Ideal Intergenerational World." The students should use pictures, graphs and symbols to characterize their world. Students can use the following questions to write their reports:

Questions:

1. Who does what jobs in your world?
2. What types of activities can different age groups work on together?
3. Are there some activities that should only be carried out by someone of a specific age?
4. Will technological changes (for example computers) impact on who does what in your world?