Generation Gap

The concept of a generation gap addresses an alleged divergence in convictions and behavior between different generations. It gained relevance against the backdrop of questions such as: Can good order in society be preserved in the face of having to pass down norms, values, and knowledge from generation to generation? And may such a succession of generations even be conceived of as a necessary base of desirable renewal? The succession of generations undoubtedly evokes fear and hope, and in this way, it has been addressed by the classics of sociology as an issue. This entry examines discourses on the generation gap and further considers whether generation gaps persist in the 21st century.