The young are still developing regulatory structures through genetic expression and trial and error contact with the environment, their peers, and their family. This is still chaotic and playful, developing forms through life experience.
Elders have much experience, but regulatory structures have calcified even as change occurs. Though of course I've seen older people who are quite dynamic, and younger people who are inflexible. The lines aren't clearly demarcated, but generally hold.
There is a constant traffic and a constant negotiation. Especially for a complex and unstable society - the latter is emphasized - that has to pass through dramatic change to maintain itself.
