Understanding Generation Z

The categorization and naming of generations are often shaped by socio-cultural, political, and economic transformations. This article examines Generation Z, defined as individuals born between the late 1990s and late 2000s in the Iranian calendar. This cohort has grown up in a period marked by the pervasive presence of the internet and digital technologies. Through an exploration of behavioral characteristics, the study demonstrates that Generation Z is pragmatic, independent, flexible, and critical, inhabiting a dual environment of physical and virtual realities. They exhibit a realistic orientation toward political and economic issues and show resistance to traditional hierarchical structures. Recognizing these attributes is crucial for understanding the trajectory of future social transformations in Iran.