Friendships Across Generations: The Powerful Benefits of Younger Pals

You have probably read about the perils of loneliness as you age and how feeling alone can actually reduce your life span by as much as regular smoking does. However, some research suggests that it is not just a matter of having relationships, it is also who your friends happen to be. It turns out that older people can really benefit from friendships with younger people (and vice versa).

friendships across generations

Learn about these benefits and discover a few beautiful examples of inter-generational friendships.

Dispel Labels – Become a Perennial

Do you want to think of yourself as a “60-year-old” or be defined by whatever number you happen to be? Probably not, that’s why you should become a “Perennial.”

Gina Pell, founder of The What, is technically a member of Gen X. However, she wants to shed that label and has coined the term “Perennial” – referring to people who are relevant across generations, no matter their age.

She says, “Young friends help keep one’s sense of adventure and possibility alive. But then I see the world through a Perennial lens so ‘young’ can also mean certain people who are chronologically older. For instance, I know 80-year-olds who are more physically active than I am.”

Benefits of Friendships Across Generations

One of the best ways to become a perennial is to create bonds across the generations. There are so many clear benefits of having younger friends when you are older. Here are a few:

  • Sense of Purpose: Sometimes friendships with younger people become a mentorship. Passing on your skills and knowledge is a powerful way to achieve a sense of purpose for your life.
  • Broader Perspective: No one wants to become the stereotype of an angry rigidly thinking old person. Having younger friends can help broaden and freshen your perspective. Learning about new ideas, new music, technology, and more can really keep you young and happy.
  • Boosts Energy: Whether it is toddler grandkids, teens, or someone in middle age, the young are generally active and engaged. That energy can be infectious and stimulating.

Really though, the net effect of having younger friendships is that they can simply help keep you young at heart.

Not quite convinced that you need a younger pal? Watch and read these five powerful and beautiful stories of friendships across generations.

1. “Faces Places” – Artists Across Generations Join Forces

“Faces Places” (Visages Villages) is the Academy Award-nominated and Cannes festival winning film directed by Agnes Varda, an 89-year-old director.

For this film, she teamed up with the hip 33-year-old photographer and street artist, JR. The duo hit the road to document the stories and images of rural France and tell the story of their somewhat unlikely but heartfelt friendship.

The trailer is below, but you can also catch this film in select theaters or on some streaming services.

2. “Keep on Keepin On” – Musical Mentorship

“Keep on Keepin On” documents the mentorship and friendship between jazz great Clark Terry (91 at the time of filming) and young piano protege, Justin Kauflin. The joy that the two give each other is clear and moving. Young Kauflin is clearly not the only beneficiary of this relationship.

3. East Harlem Rapper Meets Florida Retiree

To say it seems like an unlikely pairing might be an understatement. Nonetheless, Spencer Sleyon, a 22-year-old East Harlem rapper counts Rosalind Buttman, an 81-year-old retiree in Florida, “My best friend.” (This was a bit of an exaggeration, but they are indeed friends with such a genuine affinity for each other.)

Their friendship began online – playing Words with Friends, a scrabble like game. They ended up playing hundreds of games together and started discussing current events and their lives.

They eventually met in person and experienced a natural easy friendship – nothing like what you might expect from this study in opposites.

Read More of Their Story Here…

4. A Crusty 83-Year-Old Improves His Health and Overall Well Being

Bill Teoh was the stereotype of a grumpy old man – relishing his time alone. “I really don’t fancy any extra company,” he said. He strongly believed that everything was better when he was young and that the youth of today are wasting their time on nothing but video games.

Enter 14-year-old Kieyron Maldini and a bit of a social experiment that results in a rather amazing transformation in both Teoh and Maldini.

After the 10-week experiment, young Maldini scored hugely better on tests of his self esteem. Teoh not only warmed to friendships and becoming more open, he also saw rather miraculous improvements in his health. At the end of the study, Teoh saw gains in his mental dexterity, processing speed, and fitness. In the sit and stand test, he went from eight repetitions in 30 seconds, to 15 repetitions.

Watch their story below. Or, read more details.

5. If You Like Someone, Make Them Your Friend

“I liked your face,” said 80 something-year old Austin about why she struck up a friendship with 40 something-year old Viktor. Oddly enough, the two eventually became truly the best of friends – even a great romance.

Read their charming story:

When Your Greatest Romance is a Friendship.”

Or, listen to the podcast!

Do You Have Younger or Older Friends?

What have your experiences been with friends who don’t fall within a small age range? Share your insight in the comment section below. Inspired to make some younger or older friends? Let us know how it goes.




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