“We will face mass killings in the not-so-distant future; where young people will gather and engage in killing each other.” This warning comes from Taqi Azad Armaki, a sociologist and professor at the University of Tehran’s Faculty of Social Sciences. It is a warning about the violence in the younger generation, which is the motivation for the monthly magazine “Khat-e-Solh” to have a conversation with this Iranian sociologist. The main issue is the self-harm of a generation that has grown up in the digital age, and now some of them are seeking social recognition through self-harm and violence. Taqi Azad Armaki emphasizes that there is a social pattern among young people to be accepted by their peers. In a conversation with “Khat-e-Solh,” the former head of the sociology department at the University of Tehran also criticizes the performance of the official media in Iran, saying: “The Islamic Republic media, which starts every program with the

The monthly magazine “Khat-e-Solh” has interviewed Dr. Taghi Azad Armaki, a sociology professor at the University of Tehran, on the main question of why and the analysis of violence within the digitally raised generation in Iran. Below is a summary of the conversation with this Iranian sociologist.

In the past decade, there has been an increase in self-harm with knives and sharp objects among adolescents, especially during high school years. What is the reason for such behaviors?

This phenomenon can be examined from various psychological, social, economic, and political perspectives. Today’s Iranian society has become completely individualistic. As a result, individual emergence has gained more importance than social emergence; for example, our people prioritize matters such as self-awareness, self-expression, body manipulation, personal interests, and similar issues over matters such as loyalty, social commitment, serving others, and prioritizing the rights of others over their own. When such individualism exists and is not addressed, it does not lead to collective action and cohesion, but instead turns into a self-destructive, self-deceiving individualism. There are signs of this. We see that women and men, girls and boys, are constantly manipulating their bodies to have better noses, lips, teeth, skin color, and clothes. The same is true for the issue of hijab. It is not necessarily that society has become irreligious or that people want to fight against the issue of hijab, but there are various

Tattooing is becoming widespread in Iran. In the past, only certain types of people, such as the Lati and certain social groups, as well as some celebrities, would get tattoos. But now, you can see that teenagers and young adults are getting tattoos. Then, the issue of cutting and drawing lines on the hands and feet arises; someone who has a tattoo will also cut their hand with a knife and not get it surgically treated, but instead they will go and show it off, saying, “Look, this is the type of person I am.” This phenomenon has happened in Iran and is turning into a social norm; a norm that can be anti-culture and anti-social relationships, and can lead us in a different direction; towards young people who have other interests and express and introduce themselves in this way; so the issue is not a mental illness of individuals. It has turned into a social norm.

Furthermore, this issue has social, political, and cultural reasons as well. It is influenced by the international environment; the younger generation is moving towards a different direction in the world. This can be seen in movies, TV series, and the virtual space. Another aspect is the economic aspect; institutions are formed to promote these matters. There is a business in body manipulation and many beauty centers are heading towards it. This business intensifies this issue. We do not know which groups benefit financially from this and why they do such things.

In political situations, when society is closed and faced with political obstruction, individuals are unable to go to political parties and groups and express themselves. Some turn towards religious ceremonies and rituals such as Karbala and Arbaeen, while others do not. Society needs to release its energy. This is also evident in football and sports. These spaces in civil society, parties, groups, communities, going back and forth, and in cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops, serve as outlets for individual energies. Without them, people express themselves and release their energy in other ways.

Is self-promotion among adolescents solely for the purpose of being accepted among peers?

Yes. A social pattern has formed. People who express themselves and show themselves. This is a way to reach a specific group. Another example of this is the discussion of finding a girlfriend/boyfriend in Iranian society, which has become very prevalent. The reason is not the corruption of our girls and boys. The reason is that one of the criteria for entering a group is having a girlfriend or boyfriend. This leads everyone to look for a girlfriend/boyfriend; because it is a social pattern. People must have a characteristic to enter a group; as a result, we see that the majority of groups are made up of girls and boys who are mostly girlfriends/boyfriends. This is a pattern for acceptance in a group; for example, the discussion of drug or alcohol consumption is another indication of these patterns. People can join these groups if they are drinkers or drug users. This is why we are faced with an increase in casual relationships and alcohol and drug consumption, but the reason is not

Can self-harm be a warning sign for suicide?

The body is the most important, closest, and most beautiful element that a person possesses. If one develops hatred towards it, they will destroy it and commit suicide. Many people are unhappy with their bodies and commit suicide, but when someone gains the power, permission, legitimacy, and ability to harm it, it is natural for that person to become capable of committing violent acts; the act of harming oneself. If circumstances allow, the knife that a person uses to harm themselves will be turned towards someone else. This will definitely happen. In the not-so-distant future, we will be faced with mass killings; where young people will gather and either kill each other or come together to kill someone who is responsible for a situation. This readiness is a step before committing murder. It is different from suicides caused by despair and hopelessness. These cases are not out of despair and hopelessness; they are out of vitality. When it is out of vitality, it means joining a group of peers and proving

Is self-harm prevalent among adolescents?

The tendency towards meaningful violence is not forced. This violence is intentional and can turn into something else.

Why does the tendency towards violence manifest itself in self-harm?

Because it is enjoyable, meaningful, and accepted by others, it is supported and approved by others. Like someone who starts a vegetarian diet and is among other vegetarians who approve of them. These wild diets exist because of the presence of others who encourage it to be desirable, popular, and enjoyable. This is also meaningful and supported by a group.

Is the digital and virtual space effective in promoting behaviors such as self-harm or violence?

Yes. Referring to these same spaces. The internet is a modern and global commodity and is used by others. Like when they used to hang and execute people in the streets of Iran and people would come and break nuts and watch. Some were happy and some were crying, even this crying brought violence. If our society is now caught up in violence, it is because of our past actions. In games, the one who kills himself becomes a hero in front of others. So the person says, I will do this. He does this in the shadow of the pattern that has been taken and repeated in the virtual space. If they tell him that this will make him foolish, crazy and depressed, he will not repeat it. Many depressed people do things to themselves and when they become aware, they hide it, but these people show it more and draw lines on their hands and faces. This means that it is desirable for them. A person has done this and, for example, has been

Does this situation and being influenced by such environments make the violent behaviors of this generation more violent than previous generations?

It can become more violent; of course, it is violent itself, but not to the extent of inflicting this violence on someone else; unless certain events occur. One of these events is a change in the virtual space or celebrities doing something special, or the issue reaching a deadlock; meaning it becomes so repetitive that it becomes repulsive. Then people start looking for something else besides drawing lines on their faces. The issue is like a tale of acid throwing. Someone who loves someone else does not throw acid on their face. Why does someone who has lost their beloved throw acid? The lover, because of their beloved leaving, should kill themselves, saying that since my love has left, I will kill myself. But why does this disaster fall upon their beloved? This issue also happens here and results in violence against others.

Do you think the level of violence will continue to spread and escalate to this extent?

Yes. It is very possible for such a thing to happen. American sociologist Ronald Inglehart has a good point; he says that what people are doing today is the result of a rare event from yesterday that has become social and is showing itself. See, many of these behaviors are the result of actions from twenty years ago. Regarding today’s behaviors, you should also expect a reversal of this pattern in ten years. Today they draw a line and tomorrow they draw another. Today it is this project and tomorrow it is that one.

In some cases, you mentioned that one person hits another. We know that humans have a sense of self-preservation. In the previous section, you said that this act of hitting can be enjoyable. How do these two things come together?

Hitting someone else is enjoyable. It is someone else who hits, who is an anti-hero. A healthy and pure person does not hit themselves. From the perspective of the person being targeted, the one who is stabbed is against them. Therefore, it is still enjoyable for the person. Psychologists and psychoanalysts usually refer to these people as mentally ill, but they are not. They make repeated mistakes with logic. This behavior is meaningful and enjoyable for them. The first, second, and third violations or corruptions have an answer. According to social psychologists, this is a mistake that instead of being punished, the person sees it as a reward. After that, it becomes meaningful for the person and therefore they repeat it.

What happens to the feeling of survival and protection of human life?

Self-preservation is its own feeling, not the feeling of others. In self-harm, one does not harm others; they only harm themselves. Suicide also has another aspect; that the person is extremely against themselves or in a situation where they cannot sustain their life and in order to survive, they harm themselves; because they do not want to, for example, take bribes or betray others; meaning they find another meaning in self-esteem or self-preservation and it depends on how this system of interpretation takes place.

Unfortunately, in Iran, the majority of social and intellectual thinkers, psychologists and sociologists have not entered this field to prevent people from resorting to violence and to create meaning. Because they are not allowed to play a role and are told that it is not their concern as sociologists and psychologists. It is the responsibility of the clergy, and that is enough.

Another aspect is the dominance of media and culture that is created. What role does it play here?

The media of the Islamic Republic, which recites Fatiha and prayers, has no ability to produce anything; in fact, it repeats itself and is in the process of self-gratification. The people we talk about, the audience of this media, are not the official media within the country. They are the audience of other media. Another media is also in the process of creating a global audience. It wants to market itself and have a force that is a consumer and uncultured.

With these explanations, yes, they are influenced by those media, but it doesn’t mean there is a conspiracy to eliminate existence. No, we have shut down the business here. When they say that such and such shop has been taken, the reason is not that they have done a good job; the reason is that we have closed our shop; consequently, our customer has gone there. If you open the shop, at least half of those customers will come to you. There, they don’t spread our culture, but rather show their own culture according to their cultural background. What a foolish view our cultural policymakers have that they expect them to spread our culture?! It is clear that they spread their own culture; it is their right. You cultural policymakers should ask yourselves why you are doing this, which in the best case has led to self-satisfaction.

What warning does the increase in self-harm among adolescents give to society?

The main warning is that socialization and adaptability have been suspended in Iran. The field of cultural transmission has been disrupted. This is a warning that we must work on this issue. Secondly, this generational difference can lead to generational conflict. The third issue is that we must change our approach to social and biological life. We still have a traditional and classic view of this matter, and these generations come and go, wasting away. A group of the younger generation emigrate, and some become street wanderers, thieves, and loafers. The rest are confused and lost in the streets; of course, in Iran, the new generation always takes the old generation with them and does not engage with it.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.