A Generational Thing?

I was recently talking with my Mum and somehow we got onto the topic about social interaction and dating. To cut a long story short, my Mum was firm in her position that people of my generation just don’t know how to do it right! She thinks the idea of online dating, texting and social networking (being on the computer) for long periods of time is unnatural, an artificial form of communication and stunts our face-to-face social interaction. As you can imagine this sparked quite a debate between us as I thought her view was typical of people from her generation and she thought I clearly didn’t know any better.

I really don’t see what the hype about this is! I would argue that youth and young adults today are just as social as those from previous generations. I see most of my close friends on a daily basis but find social network sites such as facebook really useful for keeping in contact with my other groups of friends as I can see what they’ve been up to lately by reading status updates and viewing pictures and so forth.

The issue of texting was also addressed. A classic example that my mum loves to bring up was when one of my family members observed a boy texting a girl at a youth dance. He asked her via text if she would like to dance with him to save himself the potential embarrassment of a rejection. Her point being that, how is one to learn to grow and extend yourself if you don’t put yourself out there face to face. I see her view but if you can save yourself from possible rejection why not take the easy route? However although this is kind of mentality is becoming common today, that doesn’t mean to say we don’t know how to do things the traditional way either!

I think technology is a great tool for keeping social contacts. There are many positives like being reconnected with childhood friends or being able to keep in touch with relatives over seas. Regardless of whether or not we use these technologies, at the end of the day we still have to go about our every day lives and activities. In my opinion I do not see how social networking or texting hinders us from socialising the “traditional way.” What are your thoughts? Is technology social crippling us, I would love to hear your responses … See you on Facebook.