YP Comment: Bridging age gap. Tackling generation divide

UNDERSTANDING between different age groups is one of the key elements of building cohesive communities, and so the findings of a report that many of our towns and cities are effectively becoming segregated along generational lines is a matter for concern.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Sep 2016, 10:51 BST
Updated 4th Oct 2016, 13:56 BST

Leeds and Sheffield are among the places identified as suffering from age segregation, driven in part by the cost of housing which means younger people are struggling to get on the property ladder and have little choice but to rent or move to areas where it is cheaper to live.

A mix of generations is healthy for all areas. The wisdom and experience of older people are valuable to younger generations. And the young have much to offer to their elders in helping to keep them engaged with modern life.

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The report by the Intergenerational Foundation also makes the valid point that the geographic wedge being driven between young and old will potentially put a strain on the NHS, by making it harder for the generations to look after each other.

Bridging such a divide is not going to be easy, because it is a consequence of economic factors largely beyond the control of individuals.

Yet there are some sensible ideas in the report, such as developing mixed housing developments and making it easier for older people to sub-divide properties which have perhaps become too big for their needs.

Serious consideration should be given to both, since a generation gap is not in the interests of either young or old.

Older residents ‘should divide their homes’ to ease crisis that has driven a wedge between generations

Related topics:SheffieldLeedsNHS