Research Article

The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students

Volume: 38 Number: 3 December 27, 2025
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The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students

Abstract

This study aims to explore university students’ perceptions of adolescence, privacy, and sexuality from a qualitative perspective, within the context of today’s rapidly digitalizing society. Through semi-structured interviews with 21 Generation Z individuals, the research examines the personal experiences and social interactions of young people regarding these concepts. The interview data were evaluated using content analysis; themes were coded by the researchers and validated through expert reviews, achieving an inter-coder reliability rate of 85%. The findings were grouped under eight themes: (1) Perception of Body and Identity in Adolescence, (2) Emotional and Behavioral Experiences in Adolescence, (3) Sources of Information on Adolescence, (4) Problem-Solving Methods in Adolescence, (5) Perception of Privacy, (6) Perception of Sexuality, (7) Views on Sexuality Education, and (8) Behaviors Avoided at Home but Freely Performed at University. Participants primarily associated adolescence with physical changes, while its psychological and social dimensions were often overlooked. Privacy was frequently linked to bodily restrictions shaped by traditional and religious norms, particularly by female participants. Others viewed privacy through the lens of blurred personal boundaries in the digital age. Sexuality was perceived both as a natural need and as an area constrained by societal pressures. Due to the limited open communication and pedagogical inadequacies, many participants turned to unreliable sources of information. The roles of family and school were described as both supportive and restrictive. The university was seen as a more autonomous, identity-forming space. The study highlights the need for a scientifically grounded, culturally responsive, and multi-stakeholder educational approach to privacy and sexuality starting from an early age, to support healthy identity development. The findings offer valuable insights for improving education policies, family guidance, and psychosocial support services for adolescents.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Araştırma, Lefke Avrupa Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etiği Kurulu 22.01.2024 tarihli BAYEK039.03 sayılı kararı ile yürütülmüştür.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

School Counseling, Psychological Counseling Education, Values ​​education, Psychological Foundations of Education, Psychology Education, Gender, Sexuality and Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

November 1, 2025

Publication Date

December 27, 2025

Submission Date

December 7, 2024

Acceptance Date

August 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 38 Number: 3

APA
Palavan, O., & Uçaral, Z. S. (2025). The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education, 38(3), 711-744. https://doi.org/10.19171/uefad.1597832
AMA
1.Palavan O, Uçaral ZS. The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education. 2025;38(3):711-744. doi:10.19171/uefad.1597832
Chicago
Palavan, Ozcan, and Zeynep Sude Uçaral. 2025. “The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study With University Students”. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education 38 (3): 711-44. https://doi.org/10.19171/uefad.1597832.
EndNote
Palavan O, Uçaral ZS (December 1, 2025) The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education 38 3 711–744.
IEEE
[1]O. Palavan and Z. S. Uçaral, “The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students”, Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 711–744, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.19171/uefad.1597832.
ISNAD
Palavan, Ozcan - Uçaral, Zeynep Sude. “The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study With University Students”. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education 38/3 (December 1, 2025): 711-744. https://doi.org/10.19171/uefad.1597832.
JAMA
1.Palavan O, Uçaral ZS. The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education. 2025;38:711–744.
MLA
Palavan, Ozcan, and Zeynep Sude Uçaral. “The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study With University Students”. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education, vol. 38, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 711-44, doi:10.19171/uefad.1597832.
Vancouver
1.Ozcan Palavan, Zeynep Sude Uçaral. The Perceptions of Generation Z on Adolescence, Privacy, and Sexuality: A Qualitative Study with University Students. Journal of Uludag University Faculty of Education. 2025 Dec. 1;38(3):711-44. doi:10.19171/uefad.1597832


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