The article examines theories of youth that have been proposed in the past few years by Russian scientists, and presents the author's original version of a theory of youth that is based on the thesaurus methodological approach. It addresses the ways in which biosocial characteristics may be reflected in new theories of youth.

Data from survey research on intergenerational cultural continuity in Russia shows that there is a growing gap between values and understanding of Russian ethnicity over time as links between generations become weaker. In this article the author asserts that not only should the younger generation learn from the older generation; the older…

A study of the process of religious socialization in Russia shows that it involves a wide network of people and organizational support, characterized by both passive and active phases of spiritual participation.

A survey of opinions on the activity of young people's and children's social associations as agents of secondary socialization in Russia shows that socialization processes need to be more oriented toward coordinating personal and societal goals and interests. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Research on family structures in Belarus show that they are changing to accommodate new societal requirements, but the data are ambiguous regarding the ability of family life to fit with its members desires for individual development and self-expression. (Contains 6 tables.)

The system of education exerts a substantial, positive influence on all social processes in society, and that includes upbringing. Owing to a number of specific causes, however (in particular, inadequate material, technical, and organizational support), the system has not performed that function very well for about ten years. Moreover, various…

Adolescents develop a sense of citizenship through the influence of the institutions of their socialization--the family, the school, the mass media, and so on. In the past few years, these institutions, along with all of Russian society, have undergone a transition to a new phase by "shock therapy," which brought about crisis phenomena…

Research on students studying business management shows that there is a series of changes they go through during their education, during which students become more concerned with the practical application of what they are learning and how it will fit into their future careers. (Contains 7 tables, 2 figures, and 4 notes.)

Education reforms in Russia are aimed at increasing goal-based instruction and at expanding the range of desired outcomes, but survey research data show that teachers are not well-prepared to implement these changes. (Contains 2 tables and 4 notes.)

The latest scheduled Sorokin Readings on "Global Social Turbulence and Russia," a topic whose relevance has been confirmed by events of the past 10 years, were held on 6-7 December at Moscow State University. One key factor that keeps such turbulence in check is the education level as a factor of a high standard of living. The array of…

This article discusses the new draft of the Federal State Standards of General Education which designates spiritual and moral upbringing as a key task of present-day education. In accordance with the Standards' requirements, the structure of the basic educational program shall, in addition to the fundamental nucleus of the content of the…

The socialization mechanisms of young people in Russia are greatly affected by the prevalence of youth subcultures, both socially positive ones and marginal subcultures that include antisocial ones. In this paper, the author focuses on a phenomenon in the youth community that is quite prevalent in the provinces of Russia, the "gopniki"…

The processes of disintegration of the former system of values, ideals, and established models of socialization, and the search for new ones, could hardly fail to have an impact on the personality formation and development of young people. The impact has been contradictory, evidence for which is provided by the results of a questionnaire…

New people are being born, children are growing up, and young people are entering adult life; the complexity and contradictions of this process have been described very well in the literature. Leaving aside many essential aspects, people are being socialized--becoming a part of society--in a system of values that is entirely different. This paper…

Owing to the absence of clear-cut moral and ethical guidelines and ideas about what type of individual is in demand in present-day Russian society, to a large extent the value orientations of young people are being developed in a haphazard way. They are under the contradictory influence of on the one hand, the traditions of the folk culture, and,…