Generation Gap - Vocabulary
Overview
These notes compile, organise, and expand on every vocabulary item and idea appearing in the transcript for “CHUYÊN ĐỀ 1 – GENERATION GAP.” The list is arranged into thematic clusters so you can
• recognise individual word meanings,
• see how each fits the broader topic of inter-generational relations, and
• quickly locate synonyms, opposites, and common collocations.
A. Courtesy, Manners & Respect
table manners – accepted rules for behaviour while dining; poor table manners are often cited by older generations as evidence of declining discipline.
respectful / respectful of sb – showing deference; e.g.
“Young people should remain respectful of their grandparents’ experiences.”
respectable – worthy of admiration because of proper behaviour; often linked to maintaining a good family name.
make an effort – consciously try; e.g. “Both sides must make an effort to listen.”
offer / lend a sympathetic ear – actively listen to someone’s problems; bridges emotional distance.
B. Family Structure & Life Under One Roof
live under the same roof – cohabitate, usually multiple generations.
parenting – the practice and philosophy of raising children; styles range from strict to permissive.
treat sb as + noun/role – “Don’t treat me as a child.”
controlling – wanting to direct others’ actions; can breed resentment.
permissive – allowing great freedom; opposite of controlling.
follow in one’s footsteps – pursue the same career/path as a parent; sometimes expected in traditional households.
C. Values & Norms (Society-Wide)
gender role – socially constructed duties or behaviours expected from males/females.
social norm – an unwritten rule of acceptable conduct.
acceptance – willingness to recognise others’ choices.
a sense of belonging – feeling accepted; can reduce the gap.
harmony – peaceful coexistence; the goal of closing the generation gap.
mutual (adj.) – shared by two sides, e.g. mutual understanding.
D. Conflict & Disagreement
bridge / narrow the gap – lessen differences between groups.
in conflict with – actively disagreeing; \text{conflict} \neq \text{harmony}.
at loggerheads with – idiom for being in strong dispute.
disapproval – negative evaluation; parents may show disapproval of new trends.
angry at – emotional response to perceived disrespect.
object to – state opposition formally.
pose a risk to sb / pose a threat to sb – create danger.
exert pressure – push someone to comply (e.g.
“Parents exert pressure on teens to choose secure careers.”).do more harm than good – outcome where attempted help worsens a situation.
E. Communication Styles & Qualities
frank – direct, possibly blunt.
honest – truthful; valued across generations.
discussion – structured conversation to solve issues.
establish a rapport – build a friendly, trusting relationship.
resolve – settle a disagreement.
scold – criticise angrily; can widen the gap if overused.
nag – keep complaining repeatedly; often labelled irritating.
irritating / frustrating – causing annoyance; over-monitoring social-media use is frustrating to teens.
F. Psychological & Developmental Concepts
puberty – biological stage marked by hormonal change; intensifies identity conflicts.
immature – lacking adult judgement; a common parental accusation.
privacy – freedom from intrusion; central to digital-age disputes.
independence – ability to decide for oneself; balancing it with guidance is key.
digital native – individual who grew up surrounded by digital tech; contrasts with parents who are “digital immigrants.”
G. Behavioural Traits & Judgements
conservative – favouring traditional views.
open-minded – willing to consider new ideas; the antidote to conservatism’s extremes.
inconsiderate – lacking concern for others.
impractical – not feasible; e.g. “An impractical career plan worries parents.”
inadvisable – not recommended; “It’s inadvisable to punish without explanation.”
rigid – inflexible (not listed in transcript but implied at item 45).
excessive – too much; “Excessive control does more harm than good.”
H. Influence & Action Verbs
impose sth on sb – force a rule/opinion; parents may impose curfews.
instill sth into sb – gradually implant a value (e.g.
“instill discipline”).maintain – keep something going, e.g. maintain harmony.
foster – nurture or encourage (e.g. foster dialogue).
pave the way for – prepare conditions so that something can happen, e.g. open communication paves the way for long-term trust.
bridge / narrow the gap – repeated for emphasis: active attempt to draw generations closer.
resort to – use as a last option (“Parents should not resort to excessive punishment.”).
I. Trust & Credibility
earn one’s trust – build reliability through consistent behaviour.
be regarded as – be considered; for instance, a young adult may be regarded as irresponsible until trust is earned.
J. Social Consequences & Wider Implications
Conflict left unresolved can escalate and \text{do more harm than good}, affecting academic performance, mental health, and family cohesion.
Bridging generational gaps enhances collective problem-solving, improves workplace dynamics, and models social tolerance.
An evolving social norm (e.g. remote work) may clash with conservative expectations of “stable office jobs,” illustrating how macro-level change filters into micro-level family tension.
K. Quick Reference List (Alphabetical)
All 60 items exactly as appeared in the transcript for ease of review.
angry at
a sense of belonging
anonymous
at loggerheads with
be regarded as
bridge the gap
controlling
conservative
discussion
digital native
disapproval
do more harm than good
earn one’s trust
establish a rapport
exert pressure
excessive
follow in one’s footsteps
foster
frank
frustrating
gender role
harmony
honest
imparactical
immature
inadvisable
in conflict with
inconsiderate
independence
impose sth on sb
instill sth into sb
irritating
live under the same roof
maintain
make an effort
mutual
narrow the gap
object to
offer/lend a sympathetic ear
open-minded
parenting
pave the way for
permissive
pose a risk to sb
pose a threat to sb
privacy
puberty
resort to
respectable
respectful / respectful of sb
resolve
scold
sense of belonging (duplicate above—kept for fidelity)
social norm
table manners
treat sb as
unacceptable (implicit in disapproval; not a transcript word)
anger management (related; not in list)
acceptance
instill (repeat, see #31)
(The duplicate or implicit items are noted only to preserve the full teaching sequence.)
Practical Study Tips
Flash-cards: place term on one side, definition + personal example on the other.
Mind-map: draw connections—e.g. “exert pressure” links to “pose a risk” in conflict scenarios.
Role-play: stage a parent-teen dialogue using at least 10 listed idioms to internalise usage.
Compare cultures: which social norms differ in your setting?
Practice writing: Compose a 250-word essay describing how to \text{bridge the generation gap}, incorporating 15 terms.