Today’s students, as well as faculty, take many things for granted. Whether it is the new technology that the Class of 2015 has grown up with, or that some of the students today actually have an appreciation for what their professors have been through, all involved can be considered at fault. Although it seems as if students and faculty have nothing in common, these generations have many more links than they realize. However, the differences are much more prominent.
When the faculty of today was learning, they didn’t have laptops, iPads, or any other sort of technology. The only tablet they had was the one they wrote on with their pen or pencil (whichever they preferred). Todays’ students often complain about having to type essays or read notes online, not realizing just how easy they actually have it. On the other hand, these students have had a lot more to deal with. They are often expected to grow up more quickly than most generations, at least in some areas. During the faculty’s education, women in school, especially graduate school often came as a shock. Today, however, women are expected to do just as well as men, often for less pay. Todays’ generation does tend to take equal education for granted. Another prominent difference is that todays’ students missed a lot of controversial events in history growing up that several of the older faculty lived through. Todays’ students have always had integrated schools and equal rights. Many professors’ however can remember a time when “colored people” or even women weren’t allowed at certain universities, or it was at least frowned upon. Todays’ students however are much more accepting, and often don’t see a difference no matter the nationality, gender, or religion of a fellow student.
Though the list of differences could go on for pages, the similarities are rather abundant as well. Both generations have one main thing in common. Both are learning, and both have a thirst and drive to learn and better their selves. Although students and faculty often don’t see eye to eye, perhaps they should. Many students today are looked at as “typical teens.” What several members of the faculty don’t realize is that many students grew up with parents older than them. Some faculty would be surprised to hear that todays’ students listen to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Reba McEntire. Although all of todays’ students don’t, many do. Not to mention those students who know all about past events because family members who lived through them, or a “unique” student who grew up in a small discriminatory town who understands what segregation was like in its late stages. How many faculty would be surprised by a student whose favorite actor is Rock Hudson, only followed up by his onscreen love Doris Day? Students as well, have some catching up to do. Many faculty understand todays’ generation much better than they are given credit for. Much of todays’ faculty can work an iPad just as well as any student, and some keep up with the latest trends whether it’s wearing Toms’, listening to rap, or watching the Kardashians’, some faculty really knows what’s going on with todays students.
Though they seem very different, both generations have something in common. Perhaps the important thing isn’t realizing that they are alike, but realizing that both generations could learn a lot from each other, and perhaps learn to completely get along. Most importantly, faculty and students need to see that they are both after the same goal, educate more people for the bettering of the world.
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