How does the author contrast the actions of the older generation and the younger generation in the novel, The Mothers?

There is a strong contrast between the actions of the older generation and younger generation in The Mothers, as issues such as abortion and careers are used to highlight the divergences that happen when younger people have to make certain decisions in their lives. Upper Room and its congregation constitutes the older generation who paved the path for people like Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey. There is a conservative streak to their life, as they believe strongly in their community and in the power of their faith to help persevere through tragedy.

On the other hand, the younger generation is much more individualistic, as the trio of central characters is forced to rely on primarily themselves to deal with their personal tragedies, circumventing social norms as they go about making their decisions in life. Nadia conceals her abortion from mostly everyone, dealing with the emotional repercussions on her own, and Luke does the same as well, only fully exploring his emotions with people who are not from his community and who will not judge him in any way. Even Aubrey, who came to Upper Room looking for salvation, conceals her past of sexual molestation and only reveals her marital issues to a stranger like Russell Miller.