Why You Need Multi-Generational Friendships
Friendships play an important role in all of our lives, and as we grow and evolve, the types of friendships we have frequently change as well. After entering the workforce, many people find that their circle of friends looks different than it did in college. No longer are we surrounded by people who are around the same age, and the world of multi-generational friendships opens up before us.
While the media often pits the different generations against one another (Millennials are technologically savvy; Boomers are technophobes), a recent study from Barna revealed that 68% of Americans have a close friend who is either 15 years older or younger. These intergenerational friendships provide more than just an extended circle of friends—they also teach us valuable life lessons that help us become better people and partners.
When Your Friends Are Older…
With age comes wisdom. If you’re struggling with a relationship issue between you and your spouse, it’s likely that your older friends have either experienced the same problem or gone through something similar. Older friends have the hindsight needed to look back at their own situations and provide advice on what ways they were successful in handling the issue or what ways they wish they had done better.
Not only do older friends offer great advice, but they also are a strong inspirational force. AARP reports, “Younger adults said that they are often inspired by their older friends, whom they view as role models.” When you see a couple who has had a successful relationship for over 30 years, it’s easy to feel inspired and have hope for the longevity of your own marriage.
When Your Friends Are Younger…
If you’re an older person with younger friends, you might not be able to seek the same wisdom from the younger people, but there is still the opportunity to be inspired. After being married for decades, it’s understandable if your relationship with your spouse feels a little stale from time to time. By having younger friends, you’re reminded what it’s like to be a newlywed—the thrill of the first few years of marriage and the excitement over what the future holds for your love.
By seeing your marriage through younger eyes, you have the opportunity to re-energize your relationship. Maybe one of your young couple friends makes a point to take a weekly art class together. While your passion might not be art, their enthusiasm for spending time together on this shared interest could reignite your interest in taking cooking classes together as a couple.
No matter the age difference between friends, there’s something invaluable about having close relationships with people from different backgrounds. At Spouzal, we prioritize creating Marriage Boards for our couples that include people of different age groups and experiences. We’ve experienced firsthand how couples from multiple generations can add richness to your life and relationship.
Do you have close, personal friends who are older or younger than you? Tell us why you love them and what benefits they provide in your life. Leave us a comment or reach out to us on Instagram or Facebook to share your experience.