Traditional beliefs are widening the gaps between generations.

” Do
Session 3
you agree? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples.
2019

Traditional beliefs are one of the privileges customs from our great grandparents since years
ago. Nowadays, many of the youngsters do not have the same opinion and perception with their
parents or grandparents in a few aspects of lives. Some of them think that the traditional beliefs are
nonsense and cannot adapt with today’s world. Therefore, I strongly agree that the traditional
beliefs are widening the gaps between generations. In my point of view, I believe that the traditional
beliefs are creating misunderstanding between the youngsters and their parents especially in areas
of careers of choice, marriages and postnatal care.

First and foremost, traditional beliefs in career of choice aspects will affect the relationship
between generations. Most of the parents will decide the career path of their children and refuse to
agree with their children’s choice. It was a traditional belief that graduates should seek for
employment from a big company that can guarantee a high salary. The parents think that their
children should get a professional career such as doctor, engineer and lawyer in order to success in
their lives. A success of a family or community will be measured through the job of the family
members. As an example, an excellent lawyer from a well-known firm would be an honour and
recognition to his family. His family will be respected by people around them and this will make the
parents become proud of his children. However, most of the young graduates nowadays want to
challenge themselves in getting a job which based on their interests. They prefer to be a freelance
who have a flexible working time rather than earning a generous income. They believe that by
working into the field they are interest in, they will reduce their stress in dealing with various
troublesome employer. A good example would be a famous Youtuber in Malaysia, Syahmi Sazli who
has earned millions of income through his videos content on Youtube. The differences of opinion in
career choice between the youngsters and their parents shows that the youngsters likes to be
independent and chase their dreams but the elderly see that their dreams are not important to
them. Thus, this traditional belief will cause an issue in the relationship of both parties.

Moving on to the next aspects, postnatal care also has its own traditional beliefs especially
during confinement period. The confinement is very crucial for women after they give birth so the
elderly like parents and grandparents will take a really good care about their daughter. The
confinement has a lot of rules and regulations that need to be obey by the youngsters for at least 40
days. For example, the women who in the confinement period must avoid some of foods which will
make the mother’s body become cold like cucumber and cabbage. Besides, the old generation also
believes that the youngsters should have a proper postnatal care which include massage package in
order to help new mothers to rejuvenate and re-nourish themselves back to health. On the other
hand, young mother will feel uncomfortable and troublesome with all of the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’
during the confinement. With the advancement of the medicine field, the youngsters are preferred
to depend on modern medicine and doctors about the after-birth recovery compared to their
mothers’ or grandmothers’ styles. They feel that the traditional beliefs refrain them to do anything
and this will make them more depressed. Hence, this could lead to some disagreements on feeding,
bathing and even hygiene during their confinement which could affect the bonding between two
generations.
 Last but not least, there are a few of things that both old and young generation argue in
marriage preparation. Every wedding ceremony is taken in a joyful and delightful way, while having
its roots sustained through traditional customs and practices. Traditional beliefs dictate that a union
between a man and woman should involve their families and even the extended families in many
elaborated rituals and ceremonies. There are a lot of stages and events need to be done before the
couple will be announced as an official husband and wife. According to Malay customs, there are
four main processes in the marriage which are visit and observe, propose, engagement and henna
events. It would be undeniably when the parents get to know that their children want to marry so of
course they will get excited and plan to have a merrier reception event for their children. All of the
family members, friends and neighbours will be invited to the huge reception ceremonies to
celebrate the newly wed. However, this is not what the young generation has in their mind. They
believe in a simple and a more privacy event attended by only immediate family members and close
friends. Furthermore, some of young couples think that the money spent for the lavish ceremonies
would better be used as a preparation to start a new life as husband and wife. For them, the
traditional beliefs of marriage preparation are complicated and waste of money. Therefore, the gaps
are widens as the arguments and dissatisfactions exists when the children and their parents have
difference of ideas.

In conclusion, technologies have brought our young generations to discover many new
things and theories in today’s world. So, we can see the generation gaps between baby boomers and
Y generation through the misunderstanding and difference of opinion in aspects of career choice,
postnatal care and marriage preparation. Nevertheless, this problem can be overcome if the
youngsters and elderly have a well discussion and tolerate with one another. They will find the best
solution or ideas to solve their issues.