Conceptual Map of Generation Z by Shanaaz valentine

Identity

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:09:38 UTC

Jean Baudrillard created the term "hyperreality" to describe a state in which people interact more with simulations of reality instead of reality itself, confusing the line between simulation and reality. The theories of Jean Baudrillard, particularly his notion of hyperreality, have led to major debates in the field of sociology. Some of his ideas were misinterupted. Instead of claiming that reality doesn't exist, Baudrillard argued that reality and its representation were blending together in modern day society, making it difficult to tell between illusion and reality Shapiro (2024).

Shapiro, Alan N. “Decoding Digital Culturewith Science Fiction.” Oapen.org, 2024, library.oapen.org/viewer/web/viewer.html?file=/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/92281/9783839472422.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

Mental Health

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:11:35 UTC

When compared to earlier generations, Gen Zers talk about mental health more than ever before. The emergence of technology and social media may be the cause of that. Going back to Manheims generational theory such as the shared experiences influencing each generation, and for Gen Z, mental health is a major issue for society. Even though comparing oneself to others on social media can be harmful in terms of mental health, I believe it has also served as a forum for individuals to talk about their common experiences and as a place for inclusivity, giving others a voice and making them feel seen.

Digital Natives

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:12:10 UTC

Digital Natives derived from Marc Prensky (2001; 2011) to describe students born after 1980, who live ostensibly immersed in internet technologies. Generation Z grew up in a society that is heavily dependent on digital technology, such as the internet, social media, or anything related to advances in technology. As the first generation to be completely engrossed in digital technology, Gen Z has influenced relations, education, and learning. Flynn (2021) states "Peoples’ engagement with the digital realm shapes their life chances in multiple ways. Employment, access to health services, and education are all affected by digital engagement".

Flynn, Susan. “Education, Digital Natives, and Inequality.” Irish Journal of Sociology, vol. 29, no. 2, 1 Apr. 2021, pp. 248–253, https://doi.org/10.1177/07916035211004815.

Network socitey

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:13:25 UTC

Castelles (2009) defines network society as an evolving structure of society in which the internet and digital devices influence the interactions between people and organizations.

It used to be more common to build interpersonal relationships through community, but with the rise of technology, connections are now being made more online than ever before.

Castells, Manuel. Communication Power. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2009.

Education

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:13:39 UTC

Gen Z is a generation where technology is on the rise and functions well, which has had a significant impact on education and how students learn in schools today. Presnsky (2001) says that education should be improved because this new generation (Gen Z) has more advanced access to the internet and better resources than its teachers from previous generations. He claims that the education system must be more equipped for this generation because it has differing requirements.

Bennett, Sue, et al. “The “Digital Natives” Debate: A Critical Review of the Evidence.” British Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 39, no. 5, Sept. 2008, pp. 775–786, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00793.x.

Generationalisms

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:14:35 UTC

According to Wohl (1979) Generationalism is the systematic appeal to the concept of generation in narrating the social and political. White (2013) applies generationalism to contemporary society and examines how the concept of generations is used to interpret social and political life. Within the article he examines their impacts and differences from previous generations.

If this was specifically linked to Generation Z it would include focusing on the findings of social media's effects of this particular generation and how it impacts how one identifies themselves, mental health, activism, and economics as a whole.

White, Jonathan. “Thinking Generations.” The British Journal of Sociology, vol. 64, no. 2, 28 May 2013, pp. 216–247, https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-4446.12015.

Consumer Culture

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:15:26 UTC

Consumer culture describes a culture in which spending money on items, companies, and services has a major influence on social identity, rank, and interactions with others. Economic instability, moral conflicts, and digital media all influence Gen Z's consumer culture. Featherstone states that in essence, contemporary business culture combines freedom with limitations, allowing individuals to pick and choose.

Featherstone, M 2007, Consumer Culture and Postmodernism, SAGE Publications, Limited, London. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [8 March 2025].

Generational Conflict

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-03 00:16:21 UTC

As noted by Mannheim (1928), the societal and historical experiences of a generation's early years influence that generation. Generations are linked by shared social experiences and biology (age differences), according to Norbert Elias (1989). According to him, generations are intertwined groups in which both young and old are dependent on one another. For their education and societal integration, young people rely on the elder generations. Generational power can evolve over time, and generational clashes are likely to grow as future generations gain more influence.

Specifically when it comes to politics, different generations have opposing viewpoints. Conflict between Boomers and Gen Z is that the majority of the younger generation believes that Boomers are too authoritative and still hold conservative beliefs that are at odds with contemporary norms. Boomers are criticized by some Gen Z and Millennials for creating or amplifying issues such as political ones financial difficulties (e.g., student debt, housing troubles), climate change. Which in turn have led to resentment of Boomers. Zeng and Abidin (2021).

Connolly, John. “Generational Conflict and the Sociology of Generations: Mannheim and Elias Reconsidered.” Theory, Culture & Society, vol. 36, no. 7-8, 13 Feb. 2019, pp. 153–172, https://doi.org/10.1177/0263276419827085.

Zeng, Jing, and Crystal Abidin. ““#OkBoomer, Time to Meet the Zoomers”: Studying the Memefication of Intergenerational Politics on TikTok.” Information, Communication & Society, vol. 24, no. 16, 1 Aug. 2021, pp. 1–23, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1961007, https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2021.1961007.

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-04 14:06:27 UTC

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-04 15:55:23 UTC

This image displays how this generation is more diversified than ever before. There appears to be a lot more blending in society, with inclusivity being welcomed and accepted.

shanaazvalentine70 — 2025-03-04 15:56:23 UTC