Although some generational differences have existed throughout history， because of more rapid cultural change during the modern era differences between the two generations increased in comparison to previous times， particularly with respect to such matters as musical tastes， fashion， culture and politics。 This may have been magnified by the unprecedented size of the young generation during the 1960s， which gave it unprecedented power and willingness to rebel against societal norms。
The 1970s and 1980s are characterized as being an era rampant with child neglect， as shown by such phenomenon as latchkey kids。 This period lies between the family－oriented 1950s and 1960s and the “Baby on Board” parenting—focused era of the late 1980s to the present。
In the 1990s and 2000s， cultural differences concerning what should be the sexual norm， as well as new technology， political differences， workplace behavior， age of consent， age of responsibility， the education system， and many other political， cultural， and generational issues， has produced a generation gap between Generation X and Y and their Baby Boomer parents。 However， many Baby Boomers grew up during the late 1960s， and can relate to their young offspring better than their parents related to them and are more willing to tackle subjects such as drugs and sex with their children。 Nevertheless， the portrayal of teenagers in popular reality television channels， like MTV， has caused concern for parents and a sense of alienation amongst teens and young adults of today。
2不同年代人的表达方式
（1）The Four Books四书
Generation X：The 1980s （X代人）
The 1970s and 1980s are characterized as being an era rampant with child neglect， as shown by such phenomenon as latchkey kids。 This period lies between the family－oriented 1950s and 1960s and the “Baby on Board” parenting—focused era of the late 1980s to the present。
The 1990s and 2000s： Boomers vs。 Generation X and Y（“婴儿潮代”和X代人和Y代人）In the 1990s and 2000s， cultural differences concerning what should be the sexual norm， as well as new technology， political differences， workplace behavior， age of consent， age of responsibility， the education system， and many other political， cultural， and generational issues， has produced a generation gap between Generation X and Y and their Baby Boomer parents。 However， many Baby Boomers grew up during the late 1960s， and can relate to their young offspring better than their parents related to them and are more willing to tackle subjects such as drugs and sex with their children。 Nevertheless， the portrayal of teenagers in popular reality television channels， like MTV， has caused concern for parents and a sense of alienation amongst teens and young adults of today。
四代人往往有一些别称或者说特别的称呼，比较流行的是：1980年至1988年出生的“Y代人”（80后）、1965年至1979年出生的“X代人”、1946年至1964年出生的“婴儿潮代”和1945年以前出生的老一辈人。时间越后，代与代之间的距离越呈扩大化趋势。
Key words ＆ Sentences
关键词句全知道
Nowadays， many young people are complaining that their parents can not understand them very well。 They say that their parents take care of every aspect of their lives， leaving them unable to have their private space。
现在，许多年轻人抱怨他们的父母不太了解他们，他们认为父母对他们生活的各个方面干涉太多，使得他们没有自己的空间。
Yet， parents are worried that their children don’t show any respect to them and never give them any trust。
然而，父母却担心孩子对他们不够尊重和信任。
Consequently， the household phrases spreading。
这种现象的结果使得“代沟”一词广为流传。
I think we should first admit that there are indeed some differences between parents and children。 Then， we should try to take some time to communicate with each other frequently。
首先我们应该承认父母与孩子之间的确存在着差异。然后，我们应该经常花时间去沟通。
Only by their joint efforts can the parents and children bridge the generation gap between them。
只有通过他们的共同努力，父母和孩子才能拉近彼此的距离。
Workers aren’t bridging the generation gap because 20－something employees rarely chat to those in their 50s and 60s， according to a new survey。
一项最新调查显示，员工之间也有“代沟”，20多岁的员工很少与五六十岁的员工交流。
The lack of communication could create a shortage of US skilled labor because retiring baby boomers aren’t passing on their knowledge and experience。
年轻员工与年长员工之间缺乏交流会导致熟练劳动力的短缺，因为将要退休的“婴儿潮一代”无法将他们在工作中积累的经验和知识传授给年轻员工。