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13 | www.limina-graz.eu ̟ The general consensus appears to be that a continuously higher
life-expectancy compared to previous generations is a positive and
desirable development. However, this raises questions of quantity
(lifespan) and quality (subjective experience). “Age” comes with
a variety of different associations and expectations. Some people
imagine a “typical” old person as someone who is trying to stay
young but who can draw on a well of life experiences to guide them-
selves and others, making them a “wise person”. Other people see
age as a stage of life defined by dementia and loss of memory.
̟ Similarly to the gender-gap, generations often face an economic
divide in the form of an age-gap, redefining and imposing an ex-
ternal framework on generational relationships. On an individual
level, people need to assert and (re)assure themselves. On a societal
and institutional level, this requires rethinking and readjustment
across the whole of society.
̟ From an economic and socioethical perspective, it has long been
evident that the traditional “intergenerational contract” relying on
pensions being paid for by insurance contributions of the younger
generation is not sustainable long-term. This raises the question
how the economic relationship and mutual responsibility between
generations can be redefined.
̟ Beyond mutual responsibility and economic aspects, intergener-
ational relationships are also shaped by traditions, attitudes and
narratives that are passed on from generation to generation. The
notion of tradition needs to be investigated through the lens of the
present.
̟ Religion also plays an important role in the relationship between
generations. Research is required to examine how specific religious
beliefs may differ between generations and how these differences
are related to each other. Also often under-researched is how in-
dividual concepts of God change throughout a person’s lifetime.
Additionally, multireligious societies face yet again a different set
of challenges resulting from vastly different concepts of intergen-
erational relationships embedded in their respective religions.
̟ Finally, the finiteness and fragility of human life links to the issue
of dignity in different stages of life. Especially within the medical
sector, there is disagreement on what preserving human dignity
throughout life means in today’s world.
LIMINA 3:1 | Clash of generations? | Editorial
Limina
Grazer theologische Perspektiven, Volume 3:1
- Title
- Limina
- Subtitle
- Grazer theologische Perspektiven
- Volume
- 3:1
- Editor
- Karl Franzens University Graz
- Date
- 2020
- Language
- German
- License
- CC BY-NC 4.0
- Size
- 21.4 x 30.1 cm
- Pages
- 222
- Categories
- Zeitschriften LIMINA - Grazer theologische Perspektiven