Intergenerational Cooperation
Can Gardening Contribute to a More Effective Intergenerational Cooperation?
Keywords:
intergenerational cooperation, adolescents, elderly people, activityAbstract
Intergenerational cooperation enables a better understanding and respect between generations, improves one’s self-image, strengthens mental and physical health, improves the communication between generations and brings a better quality of life. The purpose of the project presented in the paper was to connect a younger and an older generation by using a group activity. We wanted to find out if a week-long activity of gardening can alter the image one group has of the other, and learn what the participants gained in the activity. We used a qualitative research methodology and gathered information with the use of semi-constructed interviews that were carried out at the beginning and at the end of the week-long activity. There were seven participants – four elderly and three adolescent persons. Prior to the activity, the adolescents’ opinions on elderly people varied – some were positive, some negative, some even stereotypical. Familiarity with gardening was the key requirement to enter the project. During the activity the adolescents were paired up with the older persons. After the week-long activity, the adolescents have changed their opinions on the elderly population to a certain extent; they now perceive them less stereotypically. The adolescents gained a lot of knowledge and experience that enables a more successful intergenerational cooperation.
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