Inter generations language meetings: young and elderly people points of view

Abstract

Introduction: the population’s accelerated aging process has shown the relevance of aging people in being considered social resources that can establish knowledge exchanges between generations. With the development of intergenerational programs, some established relations between people from different age groups can make it possible, at different moments, for subjects to reorganize their goals and change the way they value others through the creation of a dialogue with different people and co-educational work between individuals from different age groups. Objective: this study intends to analyze views from the elderly about young people and young people’s views about the elderly through an intergenerational dialogue workshop using discursive and linguistic activities. Method: this study used a conversational workshop group that promoted intergenerational meetings among seven youths and 13 elderly individuals. After these meetings, all of the subjects answered one questionnaire with open and closed questions. All answers were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using content analysis. Results: after the intergenerational dialogue meetings, young people started to perceive the elderly in a more positive way. Older people recognized that they could pass along their knowledge and perspectives about the society in which they live. Conclusion: The relationships established during these meetings can bring significant interactions between young and old people, breaking prejudices and promoting benefits through the generations involved.