Age versus Youth - Experience versus Energy

I had an interesting conversation that made me think about the innocence of youth.
I was reading”Animal Farm” by Orson Wells. My son saw me reading and asked if I had never read this before. I did read it in school, I said, more than 35 years ago. I tried to explain that way back then, I read the book with the objective of it being a school project. I was prepared to answer questions from the teacher and possibly write a book report about it. That was it – no further motivation to read the book. This time I read it out of interest on the subject. I wanted to read it and see how it applied to the real world.
My son asked me why I would look at it differently. It was still the same book as 30 years ago. I tried to explain that I had seen a lot of changes in this world over the last thirty ears. I grew up in Germany with communist countries that were our neighbors. They were there when I was born and we studied them and followed them. I saw them grow and eventually deteriorate and disappear. The presence of this governments and their disappearance was part of my life. I saw governments rise and fall in other parts of the world. I thought it would be interesting to read the book and look back how I think it would apply to what I experienced. Also, I understood much better now that Orson Welles grew up as these communist countries were born and revolutions took place.
I tried to explain to my son that when I was young I did understand what the book was all about, but I did not have the additional three decades of life experience. My son did not understand the difference. He thought it could not make any difference in my comprehension of the book and what the writer wanted to express.
It was amazing to realize that my son could not comprehend how much I had learned in these thirty years. He could not understand that this would make a difference when reading a book. He could not fathom that the thirty years I walked this earth since I read the book, I not only was on this earth in physical presence, but I took in all the things around me and I am still processing them . What I saw, felt, heard, read etc. made me what I am today.
Teenager think that the know everything. They have this great energy that drives the world. They suck up the knowledge and the wisdom around them like a sponge, but they do not understand – yet – that this accumulation of knowledge gives the older generation something they don’t have yet. It makes them grow and change over time. It will make them refine the person they are now. Now I understand why they often dismiss anything and everything we (the older generation) do or say. They simply do not comprehend the basis on which we make our statements and our decision.
It is hard for a loving parent to understand this and live with it. But then, we did the same when we were young. What was our right back then is the younger generations right today. Also, it has to be that way to keep the world moving. Sure, the older generation has accumulated more wisdom (so we believe) but this very same wisdom might be a handicap of progress. The controversy among the generations helps to refine the different ways of thought and propels us forward to progress.
As hard as it is to live with the young generation and to accept their criticism, as hard is it to live with the older generation when you are young. All we can ask for is mutual respect for each other and be partners in learning. Let us carry out our controversies in a humble and respectful way and we will both win.
I am proud of my kids, even when they oppose me. It makes me feel good that they have developed their own strong opinions that will lead them into the world. From there on out it is up to them to succeed. But, they will need to understand that they older generation is not always wrong, just like they are not always right.
So many times do I not understand the young generation – but how can I know that they are right. If they are right – then I am wrong. Shouldn’t I be right because I am older (and call myself mature)? If they are wrong – then what did I teach them. If they are wrong – is it my fault. After all, part of me is in them.