Generation Z: characteristics of young people who are changing the world
Three events that happened this year show us the role of the Z generation (zoomers), born in the period from the 90s of the last century to the middle of 2010, in global changes. Of course, young people, who make up 32 percent of the region's population, will play an important role in determining the rules of the geopolitical game in the future.
First story: social media Israel and its Western allies on October 7th filled with content that completely contradicts their understanding of Palestinians opposed the genocide and were able to put forward their own interpretation of the events. This situation was filled with boycott movements in the Arab and Islamic world, student demonstrations and resistance movements in some American and European universities.
According to observers, the conflict in Gaza has become the first real war of the Zumers. The start of the war in Gaza and the idea of building an independent Palestinian state stretching from the river to the sea has affected the life goals, values and even the meaning of life of Generation Z.
The second story: Kenya's prime minister's rebellion against the signing of a bill that imposes the cost of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the most vulnerable.
The protest movement, sparked by conflicting proposals for tax increases, has turned into a large-scale campaign to govern the country in a controlled and orderly manner. Demonstrations started on June 18 last year.
Another important piece of news: Bangladeshi students recently forced the country's longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, to flee and resign.
One of the reasons for the student demonstration that started like a wildfire on July 14 of this year is the government's unfair economic policy. Until now, the youth of Bangladesh 41% had no opportunity to study or get a job.
In Iran, generation Z made up the majority of the participants of the 2022 demonstration. It was these young people who played a leading role in the "Arab Spring" events that took place before that.
Young people did not stand idly by the injustices, but opposed the political regimes that deprived them of a decent life for their own pleasure. Even today, Zoomers are trying to cut ties with official representatives of treacherous governments, companies, and organizations that are spilling the blood of innocent people for their own interests.
Indeed, the looting of the economies of Bangladesh, Kenya and other countries, kleptocratic government (secretly enriching corrupt politicians), heavy external debt burdens that threaten the future of countries, and other consequences of mismanagement are all depressing the young generation. At a time when the state apparatus should support them, the officials considered the Zumers as their enemies and always tried to oppress them and silence their voices.
According to a survey of college students who belong to generation Z, they consider themselves to be tolerant, responsible and determined people without stereotyping.
I wonder if we can say that we have discovered a "new youth politics" with the author of the new generation Z along with these mentioned stories.
Digital education: This generation has grown up entirely in the digital world. The Internet, smartphones and social networks have become an integral part of young people's lives. This generation is tech savvy and can easily use digital technologies in various aspects of their lives. And the lives they show on social networks make them a unique generation. As a result, they are under more pressure than the generation before them.
Acquaintance with technologies did not affect the expectations and behavior of the Zoomers. The ubiquity of social media is having a psychological effect on this generation. Unlike their predecessors, these young people attach great importance to their appearance. Representatives of generation Z use social networks for the purpose of "letting our friends think we belong to a different social class."
Global interest and sense of justice: Gen Zs are also interested in global issues because they have access to a lot of information. they understand well. They think better about the future, connected to the world through the Internet. They are better informed about international problems than their ancestors, and they cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening in the world.
The global level of interdependence created by the Internet increases the responsibility for solving international problems.
Young people tend to sympathize with the various struggles of marginalized communities around the world. In particular, they are deeply affected by the suffering of the Palestinians. Another peculiarity of the Zoomers is their ability to see this war in a global context. Z's are sensitive to the misuse of wealth and the common good, and deeply concerned about climate change and the ever-expanding environmental problems.
Development and adaptation: All forms of conflict politics change over time, so strategies of engagement and forms of resistance do not. Despite their idealistic attitude towards change, Zoomers are also known for their pragmatism and realism, and have the ability to adapt to and understand the social, political and economic issues they face.
Independent learning: young people like learning that has a practical nature and want teachers to teach them how to analyze and apply information, rather than just giving them a dry lecture that they can easily find on the internet. Generation Z is different from adults in that they want to change all the rules and societies we are used to today.
Fragmentation of reference groups: intergenerational separation in families suggests that young people can often change any reference group other than their parents. This influence is reaching them through religious scholars, leaders, political leaders and mass media.
Representatives of this generation do not like information that is not stated, explained or made up: they prefer news about people who do not have to do with journalism and do not act according to specific plans.
While social media often offers unfiltered content, it also represents the personal views of the person delivering that message. This allows young people to get to know the views of people who are directly involved in the conflicts. The situation in Gaza is a clear example of this.
This communication system It may have made generation Z question the impartiality of politicians and mass media, and made them think critically and analytically.
Of course, the listing of these key characteristics does not mean that there are no differences between members of Gen Z and that they think the same. They also have many ethnic, economic and intellectual biases. However, most of the Zoomers also have common ideas and views.
Asif Bayat, a sociologist who specializes in Bangladesh and neighboring regions, says that "the activities of today's youth do not mean that they are active in politics only": the life experience of the youth intersects with identical indicators such as social class, group, gender, profession, and tribe.
It's no wonder that traits like these are influencing Gen Z's worldview and helping to end the problems that cause major wars and bloodshed.
Hisham Jafar, journalist and researcher
Translation by Saida Darieva