Harbor Insights - September 2024
Intergenerational Friendships
Friendship. Take a moment to think of who is in your circle, who fills your cup and who you consider a great friend. Who comes to mind? I would guess that those you think of are people in the same peer group and around the same age as yourself. Age is one of the factors that often guides our relationships - friendships grow easily with people when we share a common experience, history or generation.
However, sometimes the best friendships grow from differences, and specifically from generational differences. Intergenerational friendships offer connection beyond the easy commonalities by providing opportunities for growth, discovery, connection and support. Traditionally, polls have shown that older generations have reported being the loneliest. Today, younger generations are reporting deep loneliness and feelings of isolation. Knowing that this feeling is increasing for people of every age is alarming and makes evident that learning to grow new friendships and building connections is becoming more and more important. It goes without saying that one way to alleviate loneliness is to make friends, and perhaps one new way to spark connection is by reaching across the generations and building friendships across the decades.
Intergenerational friendships have many benefits. Studies show that these friendships help fight ageism and help each other understand and better accept concepts and ideas across the generations. It helps young and old alike feel connected and creates more positive feelings toward other age groups. Further, it gives each group a chance to teach. Older generations can pass on their traditions, stories and teach their history while younger generations can teach new skills and spark conversation about new ideas and technology. This provides a sense of purpose and can increase confidence, empathy and provide opportunities for personal growth. It is also cognitively stimulating, which helps with memory, motor skills, and social-emotional well-being. Thus, intergenerational friendships are symbiotic opportunities for connection, support and health.
Coronado has an age diverse population, and we are fortunate that there are many opportunities to interact and build intergenerational relationships. Coronado Safe Harbor and the Spreckels Center have partnered to provide opportunities for crafting and socializing between grandparents and grandkids. Most recently, participants crafted, wrote cards and connected at an ice cream social. The Coronado Girl Scouts Service Unit partners with Reading Legacies and the Coronado Retirement Village to offer young and old a chance to read and socialize together once a month. The Coronado Historical Society offers programs and opportunities for kids and adults to connect over history, and the Coronado Lawn Bowling Club frequently invites kids to come learn their game. Other engagement opportunities abound, such as enjoying a concert at the park or at the ferry landing which brings families and all ages together, or there are opportunities to join in a recreation center class.
Be it big or small, complicated or easy, options for bridging friendships across age groups are numerous and varied to suit a plethora of tastes, talents and subjects. These relationships are mutually beneficial to all involved and make our community stronger, more connected and help combat the epidemic of loneliness. Coronado has many opportunities to socialize together – let’s build a bridge and connect intergenerationally – a new friendship is waiting!
Safe Harbor Coronado provides low-cost counseling, youth and parenting programs, and community education. For more information, visit www.safeharborcoronado.org, sign up for our e-newsletter, and follow us on social media @SafeHarborCoronado to stay connected and make sure you never miss a Safe Harbor Coronado event!