Generation Gap

Just as parents who attempt to genuinely understand their children may be able to foster better communication and consequently better relationships, those who display too much disregard for and intolerance of their children and their opinions, beliefs and perspectives often impede the development of healthy relationships. Torrey Pines High School freshman Melinda Wang has experienced such a rift between her father and herself. She often disagrees with his opinions, yet still respects her parents and wants to spend time with them.

“I probably don’t tell them everything anymore, and I stay in my room a lot more now than hang out with them,” Wang says. “I do want to talk to them and I do want to hang out with them…[but] my parents think I’m so rebellious. Sometimes I just don’t agree with all of their opinions.”

Although Melinda’s father, Hongyu Wang, doesn’t always agree with his daughter, he says that he still recognizes the need for open communication between parents and their children.

“Parents have their responsibilities,” Hongyu says. “They need to understand and know how their kids are doing and, more importantly, whether they need more support and help or protection. So parents have to spend a certain amount of time to communicate with children.”

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