• 한국노년학
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.1665-1683
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine what the formation of a community incorporating two generations of people can give the elderly and the problems which are associated with establishing related programs of this kind. For this, the researcher enacted ethnographic method like as observant participation and in-depth interview on 24 participants. From this study, I found that the elderly and the children who took part in several programs to form the intergenerational linkages made the system meaningful in the following ways: first, the more harmonious the communication across between two age groups is, the more the understanding between them increases. Second, the sense of community has intensified the natural harmony. Third, the more self-satisfaction and confidence increases, the more self-efficacy is enhanced. Fourth, the purposeful and creative activities with peers have enabled the elderly to enjoy their leisure time. Fifth, the elderly have experienced the pleasure of learning and sharing common sense as a life-long learners. However, in the process of this program, several problems occurred such as the rigidly bureaucratic operation of the program and the elderly people's individual differences. In addition, the lack of a precisely-existing program necessary to form the intergenerational linkages and to bring together different generations was a problem. Finally, I have concluded that the effort to form the intergenerational linkages helps increase the understanding and cooperation across age groups and contributes to the successful aging of the elderly.