The article explores the paradox of contemporary society, highlighting how increased age diversity is coupled with growing age segregation within communities. The author reflects on personal experiences of social isolation and the broader implications discussed in a podcast featuring Eunice Lin Nichols. Nichols points out that as institutions and policies increasingly separate age groups, we lose essential cultural connections and support networks. The article highlights innovative intergenerational projects, such as nurseries in care homes and multigenerational communes, that aim to foster connections between young and old but remain exceptions rather than the norm.
The complexities of our contemporary social fabric reveal a paradox: while we are the most age-diverse society, we are also profoundly age-segregated by institutions and policies.
Eunice Lin Nichols emphasizes that old age has become siloed and childhood has grown more distinct, contributing to a cultural loss that affects community values.
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