شمارۀ جدید فصلنامه (زمستان 1404) منتشر شد
1- Associate Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran , salahedin.gh@khu.ac.ir
2- PhD Student in Cultural Policy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2- PhD Student in Cultural Policy, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (320 Views)
In recent decades, the evolution of national identity among younger generations, particularly Generation Z and Alpha, has become a significant subject in social research. This study, employing a qualitative methodology within a futures studies framework, investigates the transformations of national identity among students in the city of Ardabil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 students and analyzed using thematic analysis. By applying the scenario writing method, three probable scenarios for the future of national identity were delineated: 1) Continuity Scenario: Emphasis on national symbols and a diminished role of global developments. 2) Interaction Scenario: Creative integration of national identity elements with global components. 3) Transformation Scenario: Redefinition of identity within global frameworks and a distancing from traditional patterns. The findings indicate that in the first scenario, the role of traditional institutions in preserving national identity is prominent; in the second scenario, the interaction between new media and cultural values renders national identity more dynamic; and in the third scenario, globalization and changing lifestyles lead to a redefinition of national identity. The study also reveals that most participants occupy an interactive position. For instance, one student's statement, "I listen to both Iranian pop music and follow foreign bands, and I see no contradiction between the two," demonstrates how the younger generation is actively and dynamically constructing hybrid and multi-layered identities. Based on the findings, it can be argued that since the two factors of media and education play a key role in strengthening national identity within the interaction scenario -identified as the most favorable scenario- the absence of a smart educational–cultural planning approach may increase the likelihood of transformative tendencies that entail a complete rupture from national identity. This trend was particularly evident among students in central urban areas and private schools, who have greater access to global resources. In this regard, the educational system can play a crucial role in guiding these transformations through revising curricula and pedagogical approaches.
Keywords: National Identity, Generation Z, Generation Alpha, Futures Studies, Hybrid Identities, Generational Change, Cultural Policy
Type of Article: Original Research |
Subject:
Social problems
Received: 2025/08/26 | Accepted: 2025/10/14
Received: 2025/08/26 | Accepted: 2025/10/14
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC-BY-NC).
