New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- Every few months, an event involving young people captures public attention in India. A protest, an online campaign or a social movement quickly turns into the basis for judging an entire generation.

Some describe the country's Gen Z as impatient, entitled or rebellious. Others celebrate its confidence and willingness to question authority. Both views are tempting but incomplete. History teaches us that societies almost always misunderstand their emerging generations.

I have seen this before. For more than three decades, my work has focused on understanding Indian households. During that period, perhaps no social group was more misunderstood than India's middle class. Today, I believe we risk making the same mistake...