Reclaiming "Normal Life": Everyday Resistance by Gen Z in Iran

Abstract

This paper examines how Generation Z (Gen Z) bridges online and offline spaces to reclaim normal life. Drawing on the concepts of ‘quiet encroachment’ and ‘everyday resistance’, I argue that resistance flows between online and offline realms, quietly reshaping the boundaries of social life. This study adopts an anthropological approach, employing ethnographic methods in both offline and online spaces to explore the lived experiences of Iranian Gen Z. Data were collected during three fieldwork periods, through online materials, and during in-depth interviews. A reflective thematic analysis identified two core themes: Gen Z’s everyday resistance and ‘reclaiming normal life’ within the context of the Woman–Life–Freedom movement.