A Field Study to Evaluate Young People and Youth from an Elderly Perspective

This study focuses on exploring older adults' perceptions of youth, their ideal definitions of youth, generational conflict, how they evaluate the younger generation, their expectations of young people, and how they assess the relationships established between generations. The research employed qualitative methods and a phenomenological approach. The research sample consisted of individuals aged 60 and over. Within this scope, interviews were conducted with a total of 35 participants, including 18 men and 17 women. Purposeful sampling was used to reach the research participants. A semi-structured interview form was used as the data collection tool. The Maxqda qualitative data analysis program was used for data analysis. The thematic analysis of the research data revealed five main themes: "Is there a generational conflict between young and old people, and why?", "Comparing the past with the present", "Evaluating young people", 'Criticisms', and "How should the elderly behave towards young people?" According to the results, older individuals prefer their youth to today's youth by complaining about generational conflict and miscommunication; they are concerned about the future of young people, have negative perceptions of them, and criticize them for internet and technology addiction.