Theoretical Explanation of the Use of Cyberspace and the Evolution of Family Structure in Iran with Emphasis on the Concept of Generation Gap

Subject Areas : Iranian Sociological Review

Mehdi Mokhtarpour ¹ , Mohammad Kiani ²

1 - Assistant Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - M.A. Student of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2020-08-20 Accepted : 2020-08-20 Published : 2020-09-01

Keywords: Cyberspace, Social network, Social values, parents, Children,

Abstract :

The family is the vital source of peace and comfort, love and intimacy. But the family can also be a place of conflict, difference, gap and distance in terms of values ​​and patterns of behavior between children and parents. Virtual social networks are a new generation of social networking space that at the end of the first decade of the 21st century have changed the ways of communication between humans and although they are not very old, they have been able to penetrate into people's lives. Networks affect various aspects of individual and social life. The main purpose of this research is a theoretical explanation of the use of cyberspace and the evolution of family structure in Iran with emphasis on the concept of generation gap. The method of the present study is the study of documents and texts in libraries and the technique of collecting information is taking notes and preparing information sheets. Findings show that the significant relationship between parents' and children's familiarity with cyberspace is confirmed and emphasized by thinkers. Also, parents often think they are too old to use new technology and space, and this creates a gap in the rate. The new and old generation is familiar with cyberspace. There is a difference between parents and children in attitudes and adherence to immaterial and material values, and of course, attitudes and adherence to immaterial values ​​of parents are more than children. Another part of the research findings show that one of the effects of being in cyberspace is the reduction of social capital in the family, which has caused a generation gap. Easy access to cyberspace and its low cost has led to the presence of more family members in cyberspace, which has led to changes in people's lifestyles. This means that the more people use cyberspace, the deeper the value gap between parents and children. Analysis of theoretical and empirical evidence of research also shows that in the course of modernity, traditions are also rethought, and in the age of modernity, the "self" is a project that must be rethought and redesigned, and as in the past, its traditions and habits. Does not shape the process of modernism in human societies, such as mass media, trust, friendship, chronic variability, the system of technical and medical expertise, constant risk-taking, marriage and divorce, self-discovery, intimacy in friendship, identity seeking. And pure relationships that have all changed in the new society.