Analyzing the Impact of Sacred Defense Memories on the New Generation: Usage in Transmitting Values

Mohammad Mehdi Behdaarvand
Translated by Fazel Shirzad

2026-2-11

Introduction

The memories of the Sacred Defense are not merely historical narratives; they are powerful cultural, educational, and pedagogical tools that can acquaint the new generation with the realities of war, national identity, and human values. In the present era, characterized by widespread access to information sources and where visual and media culture shapes a significant part of the youth's minds and behaviors, Sacred Defense memories can build a bridge between the past and the present, transmitting ethical, spiritual, and social concepts in a tangible and vivid manner. The impact of these memories on the new generation is multifaceted: first, transmitting ethical, religious, and social values; second, fostering a sense of national and historical identity; third, developing analytical skills, critique, and a deep understanding of society and history; and fourth, motivating social participation and preserving cultural and historical achievements.

This paper will first examine the mechanisms for transmitting values through Sacred Defense memories, then analyze their educational and cultural functions, and finally present the challenges and solutions for strengthening their impact on the new generation.

1. Mechanisms of Impact of Sacred Defense Memories on the New Generation

1.1. Human Narratives and Daily Life

One of the most important characteristics of Sacred Defense memories is their focus on the human experiences and daily lives of combatants, the families of martyrs, and the people of war zones. Narratives of the hardships of the front, sacrifice, love for family, and faith in God present a more realistic image of the war that goes beyond the numbers and statistics of operations and highlights its human dimensions.

The new generation, whether adolescents or university students, can see the lives of combatants as a tangible and objective experience by studying such narratives. When a student reads about the difficult nights at the front, moments of longing for family, or the hope and faith of the combatants, a sense of empathy and emotional connection with the past is formed within them. This human experience causes values such as courage, patience, solidarity, and sacrifice to be internalized and solidified in their minds, not just as concepts but also in their inner being. Furthermore, the daily narratives of combatants reflect the social and cultural life of that era. Understanding how individuals adapted their lives in critical conditions, interacted with each other, and preserved moral and spiritual values helps the new generation comprehend and simulate social skills and crisis management. This process combines experiential learning with analytical learning, making the impact of the memories on the minds of the new generation deep and lasting.

1.2. Identity Formation and Sense of National Belonging

Sacred Defense memories, as living historical sources, create intergenerational bonds. The new generation, especially those born after the war, can only become familiar with the realities and actual experiences of the Sacred Defense era through these memories. Studying the narratives of combatants and viewing real images from the fronts strengthens a sense of belonging to national and historical identity among students.

This identity formation occurs in two ways: first, through direct and personal knowledge of the past, and second, through emotional experience and identification with national heroes. When the new generation sees that individuals their own age made significant decisions under difficult conditions, this historical experience becomes a behavioral and identity model. A sense of responsibility, loyalty to society, and human values are natural outcomes of this process and can better prepare the new generation to face today's social and ethical challenges. Additionally, a sense of connection to history and national identity helps students and youth understand the value of past achievements and motivates them to preserve national and social culture and values. This sense of belonging also lays the groundwork for respecting historical achievements and active participation in social affairs.

1.3. Transmission of Ethical and Spiritual Values

Sacred Defense memories serve as a vehicle for transmitting ethical, religious, and spiritual values. Sacrifice, courage, patience, selflessness, and the spirit of serving people and society are clearly demonstrated in these memories. The new generation, especially in the modern context where diverse and sometimes contradictory ethical and social values are presented, can use these memories as models and shape their personal ethical framework.

This transmission of values is not limited to book texts; interactive methods such as Rahian-e Noor caravans, book review sessions, interdisciplinary research projects, and even producing artworks based on memories facilitate a deeper understanding and internalization of values. For example, studying a combatant's memory alongside visiting operational areas increases the sense of empathy and the acceptance of values as reality, while studying without tangible experience only creates superficial knowledge. On the other hand, the spiritual and ethical values transmitted through memories help strengthen the spirit of hope, resilience, and crisis management in the new generation. Today's youth learn that sacrifice, patience, and selflessness are not just concepts of the past but can be practical guides in daily life and social decision-making.

1.4. Modeling and Shaping Social Behavior

Sacred Defense memories provide a living model for social and ethical behavior. The new generation can strengthen their social and psychological skills by observing how combatants made decisions, interacted with others, managed environmental crises, and endured hardships. This practical and behavioral impact is one of the most important features of memories, ensuring that the new generation does not merely receive values conceptually but also uses them in their own behavior and choices.

For instance, observing narratives of cooperation among combatants, helping the wounded, or ethical decisions made during war teaches students that human and social values find meaning in action, and ethical decision-making is both possible and necessary, even in difficult circumstances.

1.5. Fostering Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

Sacred Defense memories, particularly in university settings, provide a context for fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. Students and researchers learn to compare narratives with documents, reports, and other sources, examine causes and consequences, and analyze the social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of the war.

This process not only leads to a more accurate understanding of history but also develops the ability for knowledge production, scientific critique, and independent analysis in the new generation. Through studying memories, students learn that every narrative requires careful analysis, to examine social and human issues with precision, and to avoid simplistic and superficial interpretations.

2. Educational and Cultural Functions for the New Generation

2.1. Indirect Education of Values

Sacred Defense memories play a very important role in transmitting ethical, social, and human values, but this transmission often occurs indirectly through narrative language. Unlike formal classroom instruction, which is often limited to memorizing information and events, memories, through engaging storytelling, transmit feelings of empathy, responsibility, honesty, courage, and professional ethics to the new generation.

This impact occurs due to the naturalness of the narratives and their closeness to real-life experiences. An adolescent or university student who encounters real stories of the courage, sacrifice, and patience of combatants can learn these values internally and use them in their daily lives. For example, when a student reads that a combatant risked his life to save his comrades, this act is not only a lesson in courage but also provides a practical model for decision-making in ethical and social situations.

Moreover, memories have the ability to create interactive learning. A student can, after reading a memory, hold a group discussion, share their ideas and interpretations with classmates or professors, and thereby develop skills in critical thinking and value analysis.

2.2. Tangible Experience and Active Participation

Interdisciplinary and experience-based activities such as Rahian-e Noor caravans, research workshops, memory exhibitions, museum visits, and visits to operational sites provide opportunities for tangible experience and active participation by the new generation. When a student reads a memory and then visits the actual war site or meets the narrator, learning transforms into a practical, living, and lasting experience.

This type of combined learning strengthens empathy and deeper understanding. Tangible experience ensures that memories are not just texts but become a sensory and emotional experience for the new generation. A student visiting the operational areas of Shalamcheh or Fakah can touch the space where combatants lived and fought, and this experience ensures that the stories and ethical values are recorded in their mind in a practical way.

2.3. Motivation for Social and Cultural Participation

Sacred Defense memories can encourage the new generation to actively participate in social, cultural, and research affairs. Studying these memories encourages the youth to record their own family and local narratives, undertake research projects, and participate in cultural activities at school or university.

This participation strengthens a sense of social responsibility, appreciation for national history and culture, and enhances collective solidarity. For example, students who document their family memories not only gain research and analytical skills but also establish intergenerational connections with the past and strengthen their sense of belonging to national history and their own family.

2.4. Creating Intergenerational Bonds

Sacred Defense memories create a bridge between the past and present generations. Direct or indirect interaction with the narratives of combatants, veterans, and the families of martyrs provides a better understanding of the values, experiences, and consequences of the war. This interaction strengthens feelings of empathy, respect, and intergenerational connection, helping youth to see and learn from the experiences and achievements of the previous generation with their own eyes.

Holding meetings with narrators and combatants, combining memory study with group dialogue and critique, and interactive activities at school or university strengthen the emotional and analytical connection between generations and increase the possibility of transmitting values from the past generation to today's youth.

2.5. Strengthening Writing and Analytical Skills

Analyzing and rewriting Sacred Defense memories encourages the new generation to develop writing, analytical, and research skills. A student can, after studying a memory, create an article, research report, short story, novel, or even a play based on it. This process, in addition to enhancing creativity, increases the ability for critical analysis and deep historical and social understanding.

By using interdisciplinary methods, such as combining psychological analysis with historical re-reading or social examination, students can gain a more comprehensive perspective on wartime events and strengthen their research skills. This scientific and analytical empowerment of the new generation ensures that values and ethical and social lessons are not only understood but also observed in practical behavior.

3. Challenges in the Impact of Memories on the New Generation

3.1. Generational and Linguistic Gap

The language, terminology, and narrative style of the memories may be unfamiliar to the new generation. Terminology from the 1980s, the colloquial culture of combatants, and traditional narrative styles may, without explanation or rewriting, make understanding and emotional connection difficult. Teachers, professors, and researchers need to facilitate deeper understanding by providing explanations, textual analysis, and language adaptation.

3.2. Superficial Reading and Inattention to Content Depth

The new generation sometimes reads memories merely to complete a school project or educational activity and overlooks deep analysis of the consequences and ethical values. This behavior can reduce the educational and ethical impact of the memories. The solution to this problem is creating interactive activities, group critique and review, and Q&A sessions with narrators.

3.3. Limited Access and Dispersed Resources

Many memories have been published with limited print runs or in specific regions, making access for the new generation difficult. The lack of comprehensive digital databases and archives hinders the full utilization of the educational, cultural, and research potential of the memories. Creating digital databases, online archives, and specialized libraries can solve this problem and facilitate access to resources for researchers and students.

3.4. Propagandistic or One-Dimensional Perspective

Some memories are published solely for propaganda purposes or to present a favorable image and do not reflect the real complexities of the war and society. This issue can lead to the new generation's misinterpretation of the history, values, and ethics of the Sacred Defense era. To overcome this challenge, it is necessary to examine memories with critical and interdisciplinary analysis and provide a context for critique and comparison with other sources.

4. Solutions for Strengthening Impact on the New Generation

4.1. Rewriting and Editing Memories with Language Suitable for the New Generation

One of the most important obstacles to the impact of Sacred Defense memories on the new generation is the linguistic and cultural difference between the narrators and the audience. Many memories are written with the terminology, narrative style, and colloquial culture of the 1980s, which is unfamiliar to today's students.

The proposed solution is rewriting texts while preserving the narrative's authenticity and adding historical explanations, footnotes, and short analyses. This method enables the new generation to both establish an emotional connection and become familiar with the historical, social, and political contexts of the events. Additionally, providing glossaries of terms, maps, images, and supplementary documents alongside memory texts enables more accurate understanding and deeper learning.

4.2. Developing Interdisciplinary Programs and Practical/Analytical Educational Workshops

Sacred Defense memories have high potential for interdisciplinary education. Combining historical analysis, psychology, sociology, literature, and art can provide a diverse and practical educational experience for the new generation. Holding educational workshops that encourage students to study, analyze, and present practical projects based on memories creates opportunities for active learning.

For example, an interdisciplinary workshop could include psychological analysis of the captivity experience, historical examination of operations, literary critique of narratives, and production of artistic works such as plays or short films. These types of activities not only strengthen analytical and critical thinking abilities but also transmit the ethical and social values present in the memories in a practical and tangible way to the new generation.

4.3. Creating Digital Databases and Comprehensive Archives

Limited access and dispersed resources are one of the biggest challenges in utilizing memories. Many books have been published with limited print runs or are only available in specific regions. Creating digital databases and comprehensive archives that include digital copies, full texts, scientific analyses, and supplementary resources enables easy and widespread access.

These digital databases, with advanced search capabilities, textual and multimedia data analysis tools, can make the reading experience interactive and deep. Students and researchers can perform interdisciplinary analysis by combining different sources and implement broader research projects.

4.4. Encouraging the New Generation to Collect Family and Local Memories

One of the best ways to transmit the values and experiences of the past generation is the active participation of the new generation in collecting family and local memories. These activities can include interviewing parents, grandparents, recording oral narratives, and preparing analytical notes.

This method strengthens research, writing, and analytical skills while increasing the sense of belonging and intergenerational connection. Additionally, recording local and personal memories as primary data for future research provides valuable resources for oral history and social studies.

4.5. Utilizing Modern Technologies for Deeper Understanding of Memories

Modern technologies, such as textual data analysis, natural language processing, augmented reality, digital visualization, and multimedia tools, can transform Sacred Defense memories into an interactive and engaging experience for the new generation. For example, 3D reconstruction of operational areas, digital display of interviews with combatants, and comparative analysis of narratives with historical data provide deeper understanding and greater appeal.

These technologies are especially useful for students and interdisciplinary researchers, enabling examination of the complex social, psychological, and cultural relationships of the war. Furthermore, using interactive media and online platforms increases widespread access to memories and active interaction with the content for adolescents and youth.

4.6. Holding Sessions, Critique and Review Meetings, and Educational Exhibitions

Direct interaction of the new generation with memories and narrators is one of the most powerful solutions for transmitting values. Holding critique and review sessions, conferences, educational workshops, and memory exhibitions can create an active and tangible learning experience.

In these meetings, students can, by posing questions, analysis, and critique, develop their critical thinking and research skills in addition to better understanding the narratives. Educational exhibitions, by combining images, films, and historical documents, provide a multi-sensory and engaging experience that extends learning beyond textbook texts and solidifies the ethical, human, and social values of the memories in the minds of the new generation.

Conclusion

Sacred Defense memories are not only historical documents but also powerful educational and cultural tools for the new generation. These resources, by presenting human, ethical, social, and national experiences, provide the possibility for shaping identity, transmitting values, and fostering analytical, research, and critical thinking skills.

The new generation, by accessing rewritten memories, participating in interdisciplinary programs, using modern technologies, engaging in recording family memories, and attending interactive sessions, can have a deep, interactive, and real experience of history.

If these solutions are implemented systematically, Sacred Defense memories will not only keep the memory of the past alive but will also be a guiding light for the future. The new generation, with these experiences, will understand values in a practical and tangible way in their own lives and develop the necessary skills for analysis, research, and social participation. This path creates a strong bridge between the past, present, and future and ensures that the culture and values of the Sacred Defense era are transmitted sustainably within society.