Generation Gap: Illusion or Reality?

Abstract

Values have very important functions in any society. The significance becomes so clear when a society has been exposed to changes and strengthening social cohesion is viewed as an essential subject. Great changes as the Islamic Revolution and the Imposed War have been happened in Iran during last several decades. In this line, generations can be understood via direct or indirect experience of social actors concerning the indicated affaires or other criteria. Therefore, Is there any generation gap between generations or not?" Through meta-analysis, this essay investigates Iran social change in the aspect of values transition from generation gap or generation difference perspective. The following aims help to the idea:

To study and describe original concepts in values and generation areas. To review the explaining theories of generation affairs and to compare them. To examine previous experimental research regarding generation subjects including generation difference, gap and separation.

The results reject generation gap or separation, Thus Values and attitudes conflict among generation groups is not confirmed. The hypothesis of generation gap has not been verified by the majority of the conducted research. (The research findings support those researchers believe generation difference.)