World Savvy Monitor

As the boom generation of youth born during and after the early years of the Revolution has aged into young adulthood, the Islamic Republic has maintained policies designed to undercut anti-regime activism on college campuses and in society at large.

• Some boomers have become supporters of the regime, while some test the limits of the ban on political activism, and the prosecution of violations of veiling and segregation of the sexes.  They watch Western programs received on illegal satellite dishes, and often nurse hopes for migrating to the West.   
  
• State tuition hikes in 2003 produced pockets of protest that quickly turned violent when the regime unleashed counter-demonstrators.  Protestors appealed to the United Nations for assistance, to no avail, and the regime issued swift reprisals against all involved.  

• After that, there have been few significant anti-government demonstrations beyond a call for a new referendum on the future of the Islamic Revolution. Many fear that a sense of apathy and detachment prevails among this generation.  

• However, due to its impressive numbers and high level of education, the youth of the country represent a significant potential for change, as the Revolutionary elite of the previous era begin to age out of power.
  

Next:  Inside Iran - Society:  Women in Iran