Learning in a family from intergenerational perspective

Abstract

The paper focuses on intergenerational learning in the family. The researchquestion is: What do children, parents and grandparents learn from one another andhow they see it? To find answers to this research question, we have organized a questionnairesurvey among participants of courses (programmes) of non-formal learning attendedby adults of different generations. The questions focused on basic characteristicsof respondents and their families, on their evaluation of communication in the family,leisure time sharing, family atmosphere, relations and directionality and reciprocity oflearning. Answers by three groups of respondents (children, parents and grandparents)were compared and interpreted on the basis of characteristics and attitudes of therespondents and their families. One might expect that research in intergenerationallearning in the family may bring a new outlook of the family which might providea kind of counterpart to the processes of family weakening which have been pointedout so often. If family members learn from one another while not insisting on relationsof dominance, if they pass their knowledge and experience in both directions, theyenrich one another and strengthen the cohesion of the family as such.

Keywords

• intergenerational learning
• family
• family relations
• adult children
• parents
• grandparents