Harnessing Generative Ambivalence for Intergenerational Cohesion

Written by A/P THANG Leng Leng and Dr Ad MAULOD

Consensus on promoting intergenerational cohesion has increased globally in recent decades with more national efforts towards creating a “society for all ages”. Singapore is a relevant case in point: In 2015, the first Action Plan for Successful Aging aims to foster “a cohesive society with intergenerational harmony” with the subsequent 2023 Refreshed Action Plan expanding upon three key themes: care, contribution and connectedness further reinforcing the importance of intergenerational engagements in Singapore.

A key factor in intergenerational cohesion is generativity: older adults' concern for guiding and safeguarding younger generations' wellbeing. First introduced by Erikson in 1963, generativity serves as a natural bridge between age groups. Yet in Singapore's rapidly changing social and economic contexts, we have limited understanding of two critical aspects—older adults' desire to guide younger generations (generative concern) and their confidence in their ability to do so (generative capacity).

Our study findings, based on focus group discussions with 103 older adults from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds reveals a critical disconnect. Participants expressed strong desires to guide younger generations but simultaneously doubted their capacity and legitimacy to do so effectively. They struggle with cultural changes driven by economic progress and question their relevance in a technologically advanced society. This mismatch between wanting to contribute (generative concern) and feeling equipped to contribute (generative capacity) creates "generative ambivalence"—mixed feelings about their intergenerational role that can hinder meaningful engagement.

Current policies inadvertently reinforce age segregation, limiting opportunities for older adults to exercise generativity. We recommend three strategic shifts:

First, create opportunity pathways connecting family-based generative activities to broader community participation. Second, integrate older adults into educational settings as mentors, knowledge-sharers and co-producers, moving beyond age-segregated programming. Third, design intergenerational spaces that acknowledge ambivalence while facilitating mutual reciprocity across generations. In these spaces, different generations can teach and learn from each other, with trained facilitators who can navigate moments of uncertainty or disconnect.

Recognizing generative ambivalence—rather than assuming generativity as a natural inclination of ageing—pushes policy makers to be more intentional about building opportunity structures where multiple generations thrive interdependently, creating a truly inclusive society.

Further Reading

Ad Maulod, June M. L. Lee, Si Yinn Lu, Grand H. L. Cheng, Angelique Chan, Leng Leng Thang & Rahul Malhotra (2023): Mismatch Between Older Persons’ Generative Concern and Internalized Generative Capacities: Leveraging on Generative Ambivalence to Enhance Intergenerational Cohesion, Journal of Aging & Social Policy, DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2023.2297606