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- By – Moslem Rohit
The Generation Z of South Asia, typically defined as those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, finds itself in one of the most transformative eras in history. Fueled by digital connectivity, globalization, and rapid urbanization, this generation is vastly different from its predecessors in worldview, lifestyle, and cultural orientation. While Gen Z’s openness to new ideas and technologies brings undeniable advantages, there is growing concern about their apparent disconnection from South Asia’s rich cultural heritage, and a tendency to prioritize Western (mainly European and American) cultural norms over their own. This detachment raises important questions about identity, social cohesion, and cultural continuity.
A Generational Shift: From Tradition to Global Modernity
Previous generations in South Asia, whether Baby Boomers or Generation X, were raised in environments where cultural values, family systems, and community life were deeply embedded. These older generations often saw culture not merely as entertainment or style, but as a foundation for moral values, social behavior, and community cohesiveness. Languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Urdu, Sinhala, and countless others were central to identity, along with festivals, rituals, music, dance, and literature that connected them to their past.
Generation Z, however, is growing up in an era where smartphones, social media, and streaming platforms offer instant access to global pop culture. The influence of Bollywood and regional cinema now coexists heavily with Western movies, music, fashion, social norms, and even language trends (predominantly English). To many in this generation, embracing global or Westernized culture represents progress, modernity, and personal freedom. However, this shift often results in less exposure to, recognition of, and pride in their own cultural roots.
How Gen Z Often Overlooks South Asian Culture
Language Decline: Increasing use of English and digital shorthand reduces fluency and pride in native languages. For instance, younger South Asians may understand but not speak their mother tongues fluently, weakening intergenerational bonds.
Cultural Rituals and Festivals: Many Gen Z youth participate superficially or sporadically in traditional festivals, favoring Western holidays such as Halloween or Valentine’s Day instead. This dilutes the cultural significance and communal experience of festivals like Diwali, Eid, Holi, or Baisakhi.
Fashion and Lifestyle: The adoption of Western fashion trends often sidelines traditional garments like sarees, dhotis, kurtas, or sherwanis, which are symbolic of cultural heritage and identity.
Family and Social Structures: South Asian societies are historically collective, placing high value on family ties, respect for elders, and community decision-making. In contrast, many young people opt for individualism and self-expression modeled on Western cultures, which may sometimes diminish family authority and traditional roles.
Media Consumption: Gen Z is heavily influenced by Western media through platforms like Netflix, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, which shape their social norms, humor, values, and aspirations. South Asian classical arts, folklore, and literary traditions often get sidelined as a result.
The Impact of Western Cultural Dominance
South Asia’s historical cultures shaped by a synthesis of ancient philosophies, religious traditions, and regional diversity are fundamentally distinct from Western culture. European and American cultures have evolved in different contexts with different values centered often around individualism, secularism, and different social constructs.
When South Asian Gen Z uncritically adopts Western culture:
Identity Confusion: Young individuals can experience inner conflicts between the values taught at home and those they encounter online or in peer groups. This can lead to a fragmented sense of identity, neither fully rooted in their heritage nor fully absorbed in global culture.
Loss of Cultural Pride: There is a risk of undervaluing indigenous knowledge systems, ancient literature, and art forms. This lack of appreciation means that valuable cultural legacies are not transmitted or innovated upon.
Cultural Homogenization: A global monoculture that privileges Western ideals threatens the pluralism of South Asian societies, erasing nuances of language, belief, and practice that contribute to the subcontinent’s vibrancy.
Social Fragmentation: The rise of attitudes aligned more with Western individualism can sometimes reduce collective empathy, compassion, and community responsibility that were traditionally emphasized in South Asian cultures. This weakens social support systems and cultural cohesion.
Criticism of Generation Z’s Cultural Orientation
While it is natural for any generation to adopt new ideas and shed elements of the past, South Asian Gen Z’s engagement with global culture sometimes feels unbalanced and unrooted. Their admiration for Western pop culture, social norms, and lifestyle often comes without sufficient critical assessment of whether these values suit their own societies or perpetuate neo-colonial cultural dominance.
Superficiality: Some cultural practices are adopted superficially as fashion or trend without understanding the historical or spiritual depth behind them.
Selective Embrace: Gen Z sometimes embraces Western values like freedom of speech or gender equality selectively, while rejecting crucial elements of their own culture that are compatible with modern values.
Neglect of Ground Realities: Excessive focus on global trends and social media personas can alienate youth from real social issues in their communities, such as poverty, inequality, communal harmony, and environmental challenges.
Generational Gap: The widening cultural gap between youth and elders fuels misunderstandings and familial tensions, which destabilize traditional support networks and social order.
Balancing Heritage and Modernity: A Way Forward
It is not about rejecting global or Western culture entirely such a stance would be unrealistic and regressive in an interconnected world. Instead, South Asian Gen Z needs to balance embracing global modernity with a conscious effort to understand, appreciate, and preserve their own cultures.
Cultural Education: Stronger emphasis on cultural education in schools, media, and families can help youth develop pride and awareness of South Asian heritage.
Creative Synthesis: Encouraging young artists, writers, and creators to blend traditional and modern art forms can revitalize indigenous culture.
Critical Consumption: Gen Z should learn to critically engage with Western culture rather than passively consume it, appreciating the differences and selectively integrating valuable aspects.
Community Engagement: Active participation in local festivals, traditions, languages, and social causes can foster social cohesion and cultural identity.
South Asia’s Generation Z faces a complex challenge: navigating the fast currents of globalization without losing the rich cultural roots that give the region its unique identity. Their overwhelming adoption of European and American cultural norms risks eroding indigenous traditions, creating fractured identities, and weakening social fabric. A deeper cultural consciousness and commitment to preserving heritage while embracing the future is essential for a healthy, dynamic South Asian identity in the 21st century.
Credit: Diplotic