State youth policy in the Russian Federation. Social portrait of the youth of the Russian Federation

03.09.2019

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Federal agency on education of the Russian Federation

State educational institution of higher professional education "Nizhnevartovsk State Humanitarian University"

Faculty of Culture and Service

Examination on the discipline

Methods for comprehensive research and assessment of the situation of youth in society

on the topic

Socio-demographic portrait of youth

Completed by: P.V. Izvekova

41 ORM group

Checked: Art. Ave. S.V. Omarbekova

Nizhnevartovsk, 2010

Definition of the concept of “youth” and “youth” 3

Demographic portrait of youth 6

Social portrait of youth 8

List of references used: 11

Definition of the concept of “youth” and “youth”

In Russian social science, for a long time, young people were not considered as an independent socio-demographic group. The identification of such a group did not fit into existing ideas about the class structure of society, and contradicted the official ideological doctrine of its socio-political unity.

One of the first definitions of the concept of “youth” was given in 1968 by V.T. Lisovsky: “ The youth“- a generation of people going through the stage of socialization, acquiring, and at a more mature age having already acquired, educational, professional, cultural and other social functions; Depending on specific historical conditions, the age criteria for young people can range from 16 to 30 years. Later more full definition was given by I.S. Konom: The youth- this is a socio-demographic group, identified on the basis of a combination of age characteristics, characteristics of social status and socio-psychological properties determined by both. Youth as a certain phase, stage life cycle biologically universal, but its specific age range, associated social status and socio-psychological features have a socio-historical nature and depend on the social system, culture and inherent to this society patterns of socialization.

Today scientists determine the youth as a socio-demographic group of society, identified on the basis of a set of characteristics, characteristics of social status and determined by one or another socio-psychological properties that are determined by the level of socio-economic, cultural development, and characteristics of socialization in Russian society.

The youth- this is a special socio-age group, distinguished by age limits and their status in society: the transition from childhood and adolescence to social responsibility. Some scientists understand youth as a set of young people to whom society provides the opportunity for social development, providing them with benefits, but limiting the possibility of active participation in certain spheres of social life (Wikipedia website).

Youth is the path to the future that a person chooses. Choosing the future, planning it is characteristic young age; he would not be so attractive if a person knew in advance what would happen to him tomorrow, in a month, in a year.

In developmental psychology, youth is characterized as a period of formation of a stable system of values, the formation of self-awareness and the formation of the social status of an individual. The consciousness of a young person has a special sensitivity, the ability to process and assimilate a huge flow of information. During this period, critical thinking develops, the desire to give one’s own assessment of various phenomena, the search for argumentation and original thinking. At the same time, at this age some attitudes and stereotypes characteristic of the previous generation still remain. This is due to the fact that the period of active activity in a young person encounters a limited nature of practical, creative activity, and incomplete inclusion of the young person in the system of social relations. Hence, in the behavior of young people there is an amazing combination of contradictory qualities and traits: the desire for identification and isolation, conformism and negativism, imitation and denial of generally accepted norms, the desire for communication and withdrawal, detachment from the outside world. The instability and inconsistency of youth consciousness influence many forms of behavior and activity of the individual. Youth consciousness is determined by a number of objective circumstances.

Firstly, in modern conditions the process of socialization itself has become more complex and lengthened, and accordingly the criteria for its social maturity have become different. They are determined not only by entering an independent working life, but also by completing education, obtaining a profession, real political and civil rights, and financial independence from parents. The action of these factors is non-simultaneous and ambiguous in different social groups, therefore the assimilation by a young person of the system of social roles of adults turns out to be contradictory. He can be responsible and serious in one area and feel like a teenager in another.

Secondly, the formation of social maturity of young people occurs under the influence of many relatively independent factors: family, school, work collective, media, youth organizations and spontaneous groups. This multiplicity of institutions and mechanisms of socialization does not represent a rigid hierarchical system; each of them performs its own specific functions in the development of the individual.

Youth is the time when everyone must determine their own destiny, find the only true path leading to success. life path, which will allow you to fully realize your abilities and talents. This is a period associated with a painfully difficult process of self-knowledge, finding one’s own “I”. A person needs to determine the boundaries of his real capabilities, understand what he is capable of, and establish himself in society. On the other hand, at the same time, he needs to form the most reliable idea of the world around him, systematize value orientations, political, moral, aesthetic views. Life confronts a young person with the need to make a number of important decisions in the face of a lack of life experience.

Demographic portrait of youth

The youth- this is a socio-demographic group experiencing a period of formation of social maturity, entry into the world of adults, adaptation to it and its future renewal.

The lower age limit is determined that from the age of 14 physical maturity begins and a person can engage in labor activity (the period of choice to study or work). The upper limit is determined by the achievement of economic independence, professional and personal stability (creating a family, having children).

During this period, a person goes through an important stage of family and extra-family socialization.

Socialization- this is the process of personality formation, learning, assimilation of values, norms, attitudes and patterns of behavior accepted in a given society. Young people have special features that characterize them as an independent socio-demographic group.

Young people make up 41% of Russia's working-age population. IN national economy 22.3 million young people are employed. However, the share of young people among those employed in the national economy is constantly declining, especially among workers in industry, construction and transport. Due to the structural changes taking place in the economy, the share of young people in the non-productive sector is growing. And this requires changes in the structure of its labor training and retraining. The number of young people in rural areas has decreased by 25% over 10 years and constitutes only about 9% of the rural population of Russia.

The boundaries of youth are fluid. They depend on the socio-economic development of society, the achieved level of well-being and culture, and people’s living conditions. The impact of these factors is really manifested in the life expectancy of people, the expansion of the boundaries of youth age from 14 to 30 years.

Every young person needs to assimilate the socially developed and various groups norms of values, attitudes, ideas and stereotypes. Technologies for social work with youth are an important part of the technological arsenal of social services, not only because the problems of this socio-demographic category of the population are very extensive and difficult, but also because it is young people who will determine the fate of our country in the 21st century.

Youth is characterized by those social relations and social forms that define it as an independent socio-demographic group. Youth has a number of characteristics that arise, first of all, from its very objective essence. The social characteristics of young people are determined by the specific position that they occupy in the process of reproduction of the social structure, as well as the ability not only to inherit, but also to transform existing social relations. The contradictions that arise within this process underlie a whole complex of specific youth problems.

Modern youth as social group characterized by some features and general features.

Young people aged 15 to 29 years old on average total number The country's population is about 22-25%. Changes in the birth rate in the Russian Federation have led to the “aging” of young people, i.e. an increase in the proportion of 25-29 year olds. The reproductive rate of young families (which account for the bulk of child births) is low, which is usually due to unsettled life, an uncertain future, and the presence of various social risks. The number of women who are mothers who are not in a registered marriage is increasing, a significant portion of whom are under the age of 20, which reflects a trend of lowering the age at which sexual activity begins and an increase in premarital pregnancies.

Social portrait of youth

According to the annual Report State Committee of the Russian Federation on Youth Affairs, we can come to the conclusion that a decrease in the population, a low birth rate, along with a significant deterioration in the health of young people leads to a deterioration in the gene pool of the nation, which, in turn, can pose a threat to national security countries. The deterioration of the health status of the Russian population, according to experts, has no precedent in industrialized countries in peacetime.

A significant decline in the level and quality of life of the majority of young Russians, an increase in social tension that causes stress, aggravation environmental problems, especially in cities, and other similar reasons lead to an increase in the number of diseases, including the emergence of epidemics and socially determined diseases.

AIDS is beginning to seriously threaten the younger generation of Russians. The first case of AIDS was identified in Russia in 1987, and every year the number of patients is growing at tremendous speed. According to scientific research, more than 50% of adolescents suffer from chronic diseases (diseases of the nervous system and sensory organs, circulatory organs, musculoskeletal system, breathing).

Faster puberty and early start sexual activity has led to the emergence of the phenomenon of “teenage motherhood,” which negatively affects the health of both newborns and their mothers. The problem of abortion among young people is especially pressing. Up to 250-280 thousand abortions are performed annually, i.e. Every tenth abortion in the country occurs in this age group.

Factors unfavorable for youth development include the spread of smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction and substance abuse. Suicide rates among young people remain high. The desire to escape from real problems into an illusory world contributes to the massive spread of alcoholism and drug addiction among teenagers. Drug addiction today is becoming a powerful factor of social disorganization, posing a great threat to the normal functioning of the entire social organism. According to experts, the reasons for the growth of drug addiction are, to a certain extent, the result of a conflict between the individual and society, which is especially clearly manifested in the crisis of socialization.

The number of young people among workers in industry, construction, and transport is falling. In connection with the changes taking place in the Russian economy, the share of young people in the non-productive sector is growing. At the same time, the alienation of some young people from work, which is characterized by the reluctance of young people to work well and with high quality, and the lack of desire for professional, qualified and job growth. The number of young people in rural areas has decreased because... young people prefer to work not in agricultural production, but in urban enterprises and organizations. IN Lately many actively rushed into the sphere of trade. In this regard, there is a danger of the emergence of a “lost generation” during the transition to the market and further expansion social base to replenish risk groups, criminalization and increasing levels of violence among youth.

Traditionally, risk groups include people without a fixed place of residence, prostitutes, alcoholics, and drug addicts.

The introduction of market relations in its current forms has exacerbated the problem of social protection of young people in the world of work. Young workers are the first to be laid off and join the ranks of the unemployed.

Among the particularly alarming trends current situation in the youth sphere refers to the lag in the level of education from the level achieved by the most developed countries; the growing decline in the prestige of general and vocational education; increase in the number of young people starting labor activity with a low level of education and not focused on continuing education; unpreparedness of higher, vocational and secondary school personnel to work in new conditions; decline in the intellectual level of the graduate student body - the future Russian science, the outflow of gifted young men and women from many universities and from the country. Economic reform has aggravated serious problems of young people in the sphere of everyday life. The earnings of young workers and employees are often lower than those of workers in the public sector of the economy in general. Creating families and having children further worsens the financial situation of young people. Single-parent young families and families with children find themselves in a particularly difficult social and financial situation. A factor that largely determines the image and lifestyle of young people is the criminalization and commercialization of their leisure time. The problem of personal safety of young people is becoming increasingly urgent: sociological studies show that about 50% of them have ever been subjected to physical violence from peers or adults, and 40% have experienced assault from their parents. Violence as a way of life is increasingly taking on organized forms in the youth sphere. In Russia, over 50% of all crimes are committed by young people aged 14-29 years. Solving the diverse and pressing problems of youth in Russia is possible only with the implementation of a consistent state youth policy.

Bibliography:

Bezrukova O.N. Sociology of youth: Educational and methodological manual. Faculty of Sociology, St. Petersburg State University. SPb.: Publishing house St. Petersburg. University, 2004. – 35 p.

Sociology of Youth: Textbook / Ed. V.N. Kuznetsova. - M.: Gardariki, 2005. - 335 p.

Volkov Yu.G., Mostovaya I.V. Sociology: Textbook for universities / Ed. IN AND. Dobrenkova. – M.: Gardarika, 1998. – 244 p.

Orlov S.V. Youth and its value orientations. // Modern youth policy ( Legal aspects implementation). Collection of scientific articles. M.: Research Center at the Youth Institute, 1999. pp. 54-58.

ru.wikipedia.org – Electronic encyclopedia

Youth is a special socio-age group, distinguished by age limits and their status in society: the transition from childhood and adolescence to social responsibility. Some scientists understand youth as a set of young people to whom society provides the opportunity for social development, providing them with benefits, but limiting the possibility of active participation in certain spheres of social life.

The boundaries of this group are blurred and fluid, but usually young people are considered to be the population between the ages of 14 and 30. The lower age limit is determined, in particular, by the fact that from the age of 14 physical maturity begins and access to work opens. The upper limit is the age at which labor and social stability(economic independence, professional self-determination), creating a family, having children.

Being in a transitional stage from the world of childhood to the world of adults, the younger generation is experiencing the most important stage in their life - family and extra-family socialization.

Socialization is the process of personality formation, learning and assimilation by an individual of values, norms of attitudes, patterns of behavior inherent in a given society, social community, group.

To each young man it is necessary to assimilate the norms of values, attitudes, ideas and stereotypes developed by society and various groups. Technologies for social work with youth are an important part of the technological arsenal of social services, not only because the problems of this socio-demographic category of the population are very extensive and difficult, but also because it is young people who will determine the fate of our country in the 21st century.

Modern youth as a social group is characterized by certain characteristics and common features.

Young people aged 15 to 29 years old on average make up about 22-25% of the country's total population. Changes in fertility rates in Russian Federation led to the “aging” of young people, that is, an increase in the proportion of 25-29 year olds. The reproductive rate of young families (which account for the bulk of child births) is low, which is usually due to unsettled life, an uncertain future, and the presence of various social risks. The number of women-mothers who are not in a registered marriage is increasing, a significant portion of whom are under the age of 20, which reflects the trend of a decrease in the age at which sexual activity begins and an increase in premarital pregnancies.

According to the annual Report of the State Committee of the Russian Federation on Youth Affairs, we can come to the conclusion that a decrease in the population, a low birth rate, along with a significant deterioration in the health of young people leads to a deterioration in the gene pool of the nation, which, in turn, can pose a threat to the national security of the country . The deterioration of the health status of the Russian population, according to experts, has no precedent in industrialized countries in peacetime.

A significant decline in the level and quality of life of the majority of young Russians, an increase in social tension that causes stress, worsening environmental problems, especially in cities, and other similar reasons lead to an increase in the number of diseases, including the emergence of epidemics and socially determined diseases.

AIDS is beginning to seriously threaten the younger generation of Russians. The first case of AIDS was identified in Russia in 1987, and every year the number of patients is growing at tremendous speed. According to scientific research, more than 50% of adolescents suffer from chronic diseases(diseases nervous system and sensory organs, circulatory organs, musculoskeletal system, breathing).

Faster puberty and earlier onset of sexual activity have led to the emergence of the phenomenon of “teenage motherhood,” which negatively affects the health of both newborns and their mothers. The problem of abortion among young people is especially pressing. Every year, up to 250-280 thousand abortions are performed, that is, every tenth abortion in the country occurs in this age group.

The number of young people among workers in industry, construction, and transport is falling. In connection with the changes taking place in the Russian economy, the share of young people in the non-productive sector is growing. At the same time, the alienation of some young people from work, which is characterized by the reluctance of young people to work well and with high quality, and the lack of desire for professional, qualification and job growth. The number of young people in rural areas has decreased, as young people prefer to work not in agricultural production, but in urban enterprises and organizations. In recent years, many have actively rushed into the field of trade. In this regard, there is a danger of the emergence of a “lost generation” during the transition to the market and a further expansion of the social base to replenish risk groups, criminalization and an increase in the level of violence among youth.

Traditionally, risk groups include people without a fixed place of residence, prostitutes, alcoholics, and drug addicts.

Particularly alarming trends in the current situation in the youth sphere include the lag in the level of education from the level achieved by the most developed countries; the growing decline in the prestige of general and vocational education; an increase in the number of young people entering the workforce with a low level of education and not focused on continuing their education; lack of training of higher, professional and high school to work in new conditions; a decline in the intellectual level of the graduate student body - the future of Russian science, an outflow of gifted young men and women from many universities and from the country. Economic reform has aggravated serious problems of young people in the sphere of everyday life. The earnings of young workers and employees are often lower than those of workers in the public sector of the economy in general. Creating families and having children further worsens the financial situation of young people. Single-parent young families and families with children find themselves in a particularly difficult social and financial situation. A fact that largely determines the image and lifestyle of young people is the criminalization and commercialization of their access. The problem of personal safety of young people is becoming increasingly urgent: sociological studies show that about 50% of them have ever been subjected to physical violence from peers or adults, and 40% have experienced assault from their parents. Violence as a way of life is increasingly taking on organized forms in the youth sphere. In Russia, over 50% of all crimes are committed by young people aged 14-29 years. Solving the diverse and pressing problems of youth in Russia is possible only with the implementation of a consistent state youth policy.

Hello, there is a lot of negative talk about our youth now, but in fact, our youth are largely positive and have a correct outlook on life. And this despite the fact that a stream of depravity and lies is “pouring” at our youth. And our task in this life is to preserve and increase our main wealth - our children. Over 20 years of information depravity, the majority of families were able to raise normal youth, is this why now juvenile delinquents working with money from Western funds so want to ruin our families???

Think about the goals you set for yourself in life? And finally, a Social Portrait of the Youth of the Russian Federation.

Dear Colleagues!
Children and youth are Russia's strategic resource in the 21st century.

According to Rosstat, as of January 1, 2010, 29.8 million children and youth under the age of 19 live in Russia – 21% of the country’s population.
15% of the country's population are children under 14 years of age,

about 6% are young people aged 15-19 years.
Among the country's younger generation, there is an approximately equal gender ratio: among children - 51.2% boys, 48.8% girls, among youth - 51.1% boys, 48.9% girls. At the same time, the mortality rate of young men 15-19 years of age throughout last decade On average, the mortality rate of women is 2 times higher.
The report provides a large number of indicators characterizing the younger generation of our country aged 0 to 20 years, that is, today's children, schoolchildren and students.
As part of the research, an attempt was made to create a social portrait of the younger generation of Russia, to describe its socio-demographic, socio-psychological, social and informational characteristics.
The materials used a huge array of statistical and sociological information, including Rosstat data published in the collection “Youth in Russia 2010”, materials from the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which published in 2010 fundamental work“Youth of Russia, a sociological portrait”, based on the results of 14 years of all-Russian sociological research on youth issues. This is data from all-Russian studies of the Sociological Center of the Russian Civil Civil Service, Moscow State University. Lomonosov, FOM, VTsIOM and others.
I would like to note that today categorical statements about the catastrophic state of the younger generation in the context of solving strategic problems facing the country are unfair.
According to the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, youth with a socially unfavorable type of behavior, those who have not yet found themselves and are prone to protest (marginal) behavior, among 14-17 year olds - 17%, and among 18-20 year olds already 2 times less - only 8%.
Accordingly, the vast majority of socially favorable youth are 83% among 14-17 year olds and 92% among 18-20 year olds.
Having studied numerous studies conducted over last period, we came to the conclusion that the structure of life goals and values, the level of spiritual and moral development practically meet the expectations of the state from the younger generation.
The main life goals that high school students set for themselves secondary schools according to the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences: creating a family (71%), stable work(45%), higher education (44%).
In fact, the absolute majority of young Russians (88%) plan to have children. The main condition for creating a family, in their opinion, is mutual love spouses.
Among the leading psychological qualities of the younger generation are selfishness (58%), optimism (43%), friendliness (43%), activity (42%), determination (42%), freedom (41%). These traits were named by young people themselves - participants in our own surveys.
A significant resource for the innovative development of the country is the high intellectual and educational level of the younger generation. The number of people wishing to obtain higher education is growing from year to year. According to Rosstat, in 2009, 7,419 thousand people studied at universities, and more than 20 thousand young people under the age of 22 were in graduate school. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to change the trend associated with the reluctance of young people to receive secondary and primary vocational education - the number of students in these institutions is 3,177 thousand people.
A key role in improving the quality of life of the younger generation is played by the efforts of the state and society to protect the family and protect the health of young people. Unfortunately, in this regard, some negative trends have not yet been reversed.
For women 15-19 years old, out of two pregnancies, only one ends in childbirth - in 2009, 131.4 thousand children were born and 99.6 thousand abortions were performed in this age category.
Over the past 15 years, there has been a steady decline in marriages among young people, including early marriages, and at the same time the number of divorces has increased. At the same time, until 2005, the proportion of children born to minor mothers out of wedlock was growing, reaching 78.5 thousand children by 2005. In 2009, this figure decreased significantly - 62.7 thousand children were born out of wedlock.
A significant threat to the future of Russia is the level of prevalence of social diseases among young people. According to research, more than 80% of teenagers consume alcohol; the number of teenage drug addicts has increased 18 times; 66% of young people had experience of smoking, 62% had already had sexual intercourse by the age of 17. The use of obscene language has become widespread among young people. According to self-assessments, 80% of students swear high school. This state of affairs can lead to the marginalization of the country's population and a sharp deterioration in its demographic situation.
Unfortunately, serious Negative influence The media has an impact on the social health of young Russians.
When preparing the report, we specifically conducted a content analysis of the titles of television programs on the channels STS, TNT, and Channel One, beloved by young people. It turned out that every fourth word in the analyzed titles of TV shows and films on STS and TNT channels is foreign. In addition, a third of the titles of films or television programs use reduced vocabulary or announce their sexual, destructive themes, which, of course, cannot contribute to the development of patriotism and the promotion of family values, all data is also given in the report.
The main source of information for young people is, in descending order, television, the Internet, and local TV channels.
According to the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, schoolchildren, students of NGOs, technical schools and universities unanimously choose central television as the leading source of information about events in Russia and the world (this was stated by 73% to 81% of young people).
The Internet is the second source of information. It is chosen by 62% to 70% of young people. Moreover, 73% of high school students and 65% of children aged 18-20 use the Internet relatively often.
The Internet is mainly used for study (85% of young people aged 14-17) and for communication (78%).
In general, for young people today the Internet is a source of enriching knowledge (74%), a means of distraction from worries (39%), an opportunity to expand interpersonal communication (39%) and acquaintances (34%).
If we talk about the economic motivation of young people, then among 15-19 year olds, the economically active population is 1,340.1 thousand people. About a third of them are unemployed (417.0 thousand people). In this age cohort, the unemployment rate is 31.1%.
According to Rosstat, the average accrued salary of persons under 20 years of age is 10,840 rubles; these are mainly service sector workers.
In general, the young generation of 15-20 years old is just beginning to acquire work skills and try their hand at various fields activities
The report provides these and other data in detail.

Dear Colleagues!
To summarize, I want to emphasize that, although the current portrait of the younger generation is overshadowed by unfavorable demographic statistics and data on the social diseases of the generation, yet Russia, in the person of young citizens, today has a highly intellectual human resource with high socio-psychological potential.
Its full implementation within the framework of solving the strategic tasks of the country’s development is possible by eliminating unfavorable trends in the field of reproductive behavior of young people, strengthening their health and further reducing the prevalence of youth use of psychoactive substances, etc.
An essential resource for the development of the country is the level of spiritual and moral development of the younger generation.
I would like to emphasize the very special importance of the values, goals, principles of a person’s life, its meanings and ideals formed during socialization.
And in this sense, today we have to make significant efforts to ensure that this resource, which is the “core” of the “ideal portrait” of the younger generation, is fully involved and used.
To achieve this, the state and society need to create conditions for young people to fully realize the most important competitive advantage V modern world - intellectual potential generation and achieve real, targeted and systematic support for talented, intellectually developed youth. Build a system for its support from primary school to university and place of work, including intellectual children and adolescents as early as possible in solving real problems of social modernization.
Today we have reached a point where, in the context of youth policy, it is no longer enough to talk only about ensuring health, education, successful career youth. Let me emphasize once again that we should first of all talk about building effective system analysis, formation and support inner world youth in accordance with the social expectations of society and the state. To do this, it is advisable to conduct in-depth all-Russian sociological studies of the country's children and youth population under the age of 20. To clarify socio-demographic data, it is extremely important to obtain fresh statistics on the condition of children and youth in the Russian Federation.
Why am I talking about this? When preparing the “Social Portrait of Youth”, we were faced with the fact that many, primarily demographic data, about the child population are given, firstly, within the age range of 15-25 (15-29, 14-30) years. And in order to form a portrait of the younger generation under the age of 20, we had to literally collect this information bit by bit. Secondly, many of the data are based on the 2002 census, or dated back to 2008. This state of affairs made it difficult to form an objective picture due to the fact that last years The state has taken significant steps to improve the demographic situation in the country, the results of which are already visible. Taking this into account, in order for our picture to be as complete as possible, a special section has been introduced into the report that you all have, reflecting the latest dynamics in the field of increasing the birth rate and reducing mortality among young citizens.
Dear Colleagues!
We must build real, socially oriented relationships with active, intellectually developed youth and actually include the younger generation in social practice aimed at strengthening the country, its innovative development and social modernization.
The socio-psychological quality of the youth resource is quite high, and it depends on you and me whether it will be possible to use it for the benefit of Russia, or whether another opportunity to revive our power with the help of the younger generation will be missed.

Speech by E.L. Nikolaeva
at the plenary meeting of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation

But it is not without reason that youth is the time of forming one’s own views and patterns of behavior, the ability to process information, form positions and follow one’s social roles.

Based on all of the above, I tried to create a social portrait of modern Russian youth. In doing so, I used the latest data from the Public Opinion Foundation.

The new generation today is tireless optimists, satisfied with life, looking forward with hope, extremely loyal to the authorities and not experiencing expressed protest sentiments.

The majority of today's young people can safely be classified as the “golden personnel reserve” thanks to high degree of loyalty to the current government: 75% 18-25 year olds Russians are appreciated the work of Russian President V.V. Putin How good(vs. 68% among the population over 25 years old); 82% youth indicated that Head of Government D. Medvedev works at his post Fine(vs. 75% among the population over 25 years old). Somewhat cooler respondents 18-25 years old evaluate the work Russian government: 50% positive answers (among the population over 25 years old - 43%).

Despite youth, which, as the history of mankind shows, is characterized by a rebellious spirit, the current Russian youth are not ready to take to the streets and participate in protests. According to this indicator, the age group 18-25 years old has no qualitative differences from the group over 25 years old ( 72% and 71%, respectively), and this result logically correlates with a high degree of satisfaction with one’s life and loyalty to the current government.

About half of young people have permanent job(in January 2010 - 44 %), 12% receive a scholarship 10% enjoy financial support from relatives and friends.

Areas of life that cause anxiety when thinking about the future?

So, the most “scary” areas turned out to be:

1. Profession

2. Family and marriage

4. Habitat

5. Society, country

What social problems of our society are most pressing for young people?

Problems Russian youth, in their essence, represent problems not only of the modern young generation, but also of the entire society as a whole, on the solution of which not only today, but also the future of our society depends. A significant threat to the future of Russia is the level of prevalence of social diseases among young people. According to research, more than 80% of teenagers consume alcohol; the number of teenage drug addicts has increased 18 times; 66% of young people had experience of smoking, 62% had already had sexual intercourse by the age of 17. The use of obscene language has become widespread among young people. According to self-reports, 80% of high school students swear. This state of affairs can lead to the marginalization of the country's population and a sharp deterioration in its demographic situation.

Unfortunately, the media has a serious negative impact on the social health of young Russians. The main source of information for young people is, in descending order, the Internet, television, and local TV channels.

Therefore, the main problems of modern youth are:

· Lack of spirituality

· Moral personality degradation and loss of value human life

· Inaction, indifference, individualism

· Sexy promiscuity

· Collapse families

· Cult money

· Social dependency

Also among the problems of young people it is worth highlighting:

Ш Unemployment

Ш Corruption

Ш Lack of security and confidence in it on the part of the Russian government

Ш Low level of education

Ш Inaccessibility and high cost of sports sections

Ш Lack of mass sports

Ш Youth alcoholism and drug addiction

As a rule, the expectation of major changes in social life We connect with the youth, and pin our hopes for stabilizing the situation on the mature and elderly. When in the early 1990s. Russia has committed a serious

9 Rubin J. Do M.L., 1970. P. 17.

Tarasov A.N. Youth as a social bulldozer ( http://lomleft.narod.ru).

turn towards market relations, the instigators of change were young reformers. But when the country, after unsuccessful reforms, entered a period of serious economic and political crisis (impoverishment of the population, rising crime, crisis of political institutions), the youth were replaced by a more mature (Chernomyrdin) and even older (Primakov) generation of prime ministers. In 1999, the country's president decided that the stabilization measures of older ministers did not solve the assigned tasks and they were again replaced by mature, but relatively young heads of government (Stepashin and Putin).

Other social trends have also been noticed in relation to people of different

ages. The transition from socialism to capitalism, the development of market relations and small business have demanded young and partly middle-aged people. Job advertisements, as a rule, included a clause: persons under 30-35 years of age are accepted to become managers or economists. Age discrimination in relation to people of middle age, and especially older people, it manifested itself not only in hiring (especially highly paid ones), but also in other areas.

Modern youth in Russian society, and their age limits are generally considered to be in the range from 15 to 29 years, i.e. at the age of 15, faces many demographic, social, economic and moral problems.

The first problem is the reduction in the number of young people and, consequently, the aging of the population, the decreasing role of youth as the labor resource of society. This is associated with a 1.5-fold increase (compared to the 70s) in the number of divorces in young families. More divorces mean more dysfunctional families and fewer children. Hence the increase in the number of suicides.

The second problem is the deterioration of the health of children and adolescents. The current young generation is less healthy physically and mentally than the previous one. On average in Russia, only 10% of school graduates can be considered absolutely healthy, 45-50% of them have serious health problems. The suitability of conscripts for combat service decreased during conscription to 80%. Among the young men sent to the troops in the fall of 1996, 40% have health problems and fall under the definition of “fit for military service with minor restrictions.”

The third problem is youth unemployment. Statistics show that the share of young people among the unemployed remains high. In 1994 it was 35.5%, in 1995 - 41%, in 1997 - 35% (in total there were about 7 million unemployed people at the beginning of 1997). In 2000, the unemployment rate stabilized. In the lives of young people in recent years, the “feeling of anxiety of becoming unemployed” has become widespread. The study revealed that more than 70% of respondents are afraid of becoming unemployed in the future 12 .

12 Ruchkin B.A. Youth and formation new Russia// Sociological research. 1998. No. 5. P. 90-98.

The fourth problem is that the social value of labor and the prestige of a number of professions important to society are falling. Recent studies show that young people give preference not so much to professions that are interesting in content, but rather to those that are financially profitable. “High salary” was what turned out to be decisive when choosing a place of work for 59.9% of 17-year-olds, 65.3% of 24-year-olds and 64.4% of 31-year-olds.

For 56.8% of young people, the main thing in life is money. In principle, this situation is quite normal for a market society, where money is one of the main values. Therefore, the desire to “live well” reflects the natural desire of people, if it does not cross moral boundaries.

But what are moral boundaries? How to identify them?

Scientists believe that the criterion is the way in which people try to get money. Here the picture is as follows: 25% (17- and 24-year-olds) consider it possible to engage in resale (previously this was called “speculation”), more than 30% consider marriage of convenience “possible” and “normal”; receive a bribe - 20%; to enter into physical intimacy for a fee - “possible” and “normal” is about 10%, the same amount - to take by force or “to take what is bad” 13.

Not only ours, but also the results of international studies confirm that young people are becoming more and more focused on material success. This happens in the USA, England, Sweden, Russia and other countries. In recent years, there has been a depreciation of genuine values in work, such as the desire for self-expression or the need for creativity, the realization of abilities or desires.

Today's youth do not aspire to be astronauts or physicists. She prefers another job. In 1996, more than 2.6 million people were shuttle traders; 483 thousand former athletes, including 20-year-olds, young and promising ones, worked as security guards in commercial structures; 400 thousand - in the gambling and lottery business 14.

On the scale of professional prestige, according to scientists from the Youth Institute, the first 10 places are occupied by: lawyer (8.0), owner commercial bank(7.9), doctor (7.1), university professor (7.0), manager (6.9), journalist (6.6), accountant (6.6), store owner (6.4) , bodyguard (5.9), crime boss and school teacher (5.2). The last three places are occupied by: engineer (4.5), factory worker (3.9), tractor driver (3.6). Criminal “authority” is valued higher than the profession of a policeman, and the profession of a bodyguard is higher than an officer of the Armed Forces, a deputy, and they are higher than an engineer, a scientist, a worker and a tractor driver. According to a Moscow State University survey, in the hierarchy of qualities that are given preference, “being an educated, spiritually rich person” occupies 10th place (out of 15) in the minds of 17-year-olds, and 12th among 24-year-olds. Genuine values, such as the desire to help others, are replaced by goals such as a prestigious position and possession of money.

One study found that most American high school students want to earn a lot of money - more than their parents. Two thirds of the students noted that, in their opinion, it is important what kind of house and garden you have. Nine out of ten admitted that they really need to be confident that they can provide their children with greater opportunities than they themselves had 15 .

Today's youth have grown up in conditions of sharp contrasts in material security. Standard of living for the majority of Russian residents has decreased, but some people have begun to live richer than before. All this directly affected the young people. Few parents give enough money, and some other teenagers

our time is capable of earning a living. Approximately half of young people work part-time in their free time and receive more than $50 a week for their work. Most They spend what they earn on entertainment, and donate less to the family budget and save it for payment. further education. Young people in European countries and the United States find themselves in similar conditions, where they also have to earn a living and entertainment. True, here the bulk of young people’s expenses go towards cars. Having money in the pockets of today's youth has many implications.

Young people make up a significant share of today's consumers. The products of many companies are aimed specifically at them: clothing, cosmetics, cars, CDs, audio and video cassettes, skis, motorcycles, magazines, sports equipment, cigarettes and thousands and thousands of other products that are offered to young people.

Modern teenager surrounded by a variety of things like audio and video equipment that were undreamed of by his predecessors.

Faced with real life, many young people are disappointed when they don't immediately get what they expect. One of the problems is that young people do not understand that their parents “spent their lives” on earning as much as they earn now. They cherish the hope that they will immediately receive the same amount, and are very disappointed when this does not happen.

Parents, who have achieved their well-being thanks to hard work and enormous efforts, are most often dissatisfied with how superficially and frivolously, in their opinion, their children approach life and work. Not knowing how to convince them, they act using the “cavalry attack” method, i.e. read notations, switch to raised tones, trying to shout or directly press

15 Rais F. Decree. op. P. 34.

effort to instill in them other values. They talk about how difficult it was for them in childhood, how hard and hard they were to earn their daily bread, that they gave all of themselves so that their children could have a better life. But do such methods work? Or do they achieve the opposite effect?

Although economic reforms have had an adverse effect on Russian youth, they seem to have already adapted or are beginning to adapt to new reality. About 30% of 17-year-olds said democratic changes had a positive impact on their lives. They have already felt the possibilities that freedom and democracy conceal. This is evidenced by the growing importance for young people of personal freedom (23-33%), law and order (32-52%), and guarantees to everyone of freedom of choice (38-43%).

Rich generation

According to a survey in May 1996, 56% of young people surveyed were in favor of continuing the reforms and preserving the freedoms of choice gained - social, economic, spiritual. 78% of 17-year-olds, 68.4% of 24-year-olds, and 63.8% of 30-year-olds were in favor of a transition to a market economy (quick or gradual, according to a Moscow State University survey).

A significant part of the youth fit into new economy. Young people today are the main source of recruiting new layers of society. Moreover, the layers are not poor. It is the older part of the population who are more likely to go into poverty because they have not been able to master market occupations, get on their feet, or start a business. Not all, but many young people today live much better financially than their parents. They measure their income in hundreds (and some thousands) of dollars, and not rubles, like their parents.

All larger number Young people, according to surveys, are thinking about their careers and their own prestige. Modern youth cares about their future: how to find Good work and satisfy your material needs. As a rule, the emphasis is on getting a big salary and the opportunity to do good career. Conversations with high school and college students show that many of them consider it sufficient to earn at least $1,500-2,000 a month. Although very few people who have a good economic or legal education, knowledge of a foreign language and computers manage to achieve what they want at first.

Rejuvenation has taken over not only the economy, but also politics. There is a rejuvenation of the ruling elite of society. In economics, the “new

Russians”, often poorly educated, new “new Russians” come with one or two higher education who are fluent in one or two foreign languages, who are fluent in computers. The modern “youth wave” of 30-40 year olds who have entered politics, banking, entrepreneurship, and business at the highest level.

Who knows, maybe, after graduating from university, you will be the third generation Russian entrepreneurs. In any case, already at school you must get your bearings and choose your path in life. Today, delaying death is similar, since many of the habits, skills and character traits necessary for business, scientific pursuits, and law are formed in early and middle adolescence.

Entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly attractive to a significant part of the younger generation. The share of those who managed to open their own business ranges from 2.5 to 3.5% of the total number of young people, and up to 55% of those surveyed express a desire to start a business.

Scientists have proven that young people have begun to be among the most influential socio-political forces in Russia. The youth themselves become aware of their role in society. The younger generation (by self-assessment) considers itself the main factor in the sustainable development of Russia (68.4%) and, to a certain extent (53.7%), the driving force behind fundamental changes in society. All this indicates that the potential for movement towards a market economy is growing in the younger generation, civil society,

The worldview of young people has changed qualitatively. In 1983, according to many studies, 84% of young people in the USSR were convinced that socialism was the only social order, which actually embodies human rights and freedoms. By 1993, socialism had largely lost its appeal. And in 1999, the majority of young people tended to consider a civilized market society the most attractive.

Young people compare Russian society with this ideal and make critical comments. Most young people and teenagers take a sober look at our achievements. They are much faster than they would like. To the question: “In what direction are things going in Russia: right or wrong?” - the absolute majority answered: incorrectly (62.3% - 17-year-olds; 59.2% - 24-year-olds; 65.4% - 30-year-olds). They blame the authorities Russian society. They didn't trust it in the late 90s. the first persons of the state - the president and prime minister - 55.3% of 17-year-olds surveyed; 54.7% - 24-year-olds, 62.8% - 30-year-olds 16.

16 Ruchkin B.A. Youth and the formation of a new Russia // Sociological Research. 1998. No. 5. P. 97.

American youth face somewhat similar problems. She is increasingly concerned about the recent increase in the mortality rate of young people. When young people die, it means they died a violent death. If we talk about the death of teenagers 15-24 years old, then 77% of them die a violent death. According to official data from the US Census Bureau, accidents, suicides and murders have long replaced disease as the first cause of death among young people.

FBI reports in 1991 indicated that of those arrested for murder—intentional or manslaughter—more than half were under 25 years of age. Many young people die behind the wheel of a car: 41% of violent deaths occur in car accidents. Young people are the only age group in the United States that has not seen any improvement in health over the past 30 years. From 1985 to 1992, the number of AIDS deaths among young people (under 30 years of age) tripled 17 .

Mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, vandalism, suicide and homicide are common among teenagers. This indicates that these issues affect many people. The most common method of suicide among teenagers under the influence of alcohol is by shooting with a firearm. Murder, suicide, car accidents, firearms, alcohol - all these are real threats to modern American youth.

Leaders political parties They like to say that young people are following them. This, however, is not entirely true. It turns out that 17% of respondents are not at all interested in politics, and 78% follow it from time to time. Moreover, 37 people out of 100 do not trust any of today's politicians and do not find a single party that reflects their own interests.

Which one political leader do they need it? First of all - knower of life, understanding the needs ordinary people, businesslike, honest, smart and decisive. It is curious that such a criterion as “a good family man” (which is highly rated in the West) was somewhere at the end of the list - only 4% noted it. Behind " strong hand» 24% speak out, 18% are categorically against. The most outstanding statesman The overwhelming majority of Russia names Peter I, followed by Catherine II. None of the modern “figures” managed to get even 7% of the votes. But young people, as it turned out, don’t really need democracy. Three out of ten are sure that in our country it inevitably leads to chaos and anarchy. There are half as many people who disagree with this; the rest are undecided 18 .

Generation 2000 first of all trusts their relatives (35%), then their friends (18%). Oddly enough, politicians are in third place (12%), followed by journalists, astrologers, sociologists, fortune-tellers, clairvoyants and even alchemists (indicated by 5%). What do young people hope for? 74% - on own strength, 13% - to boost the economy, 2% - to help the West. Every tenth person is not satisfied with life and believes that it will be even worse. True, almost the same number claim that they are quite satisfied with life. From

^ Rais F. Decree. op. pp. 36-37. Arguments and Facts. 1999. No. 17.

social problems, our youth are most concerned about rising prices - 62%. Unemployment and crime, which come next, are mentioned half as often. It is significant that every fifth person is concerned about the decline of morality and ethics. And the fact that young people dream and see how to “get over the border” is also not true. Almost half of those surveyed said that they would not like to leave Russia 19 .