Youth subculture. Youth as a social group

A significant part of young people are pupils and students. Every day in our country, in addition to tens of thousands of schools, thousands of vocational schools, secondary specialized educational institutions, and universities open their doors. More than 5 million people study in educational institutions that provide vocational training for young people - almost a third of young people aged 16 to 24 years.

The importance of education in modern conditions Many people understand. It is still considered today as the most important indicator social status person. If earlier parents associated a decent future for their children with a successful marriage, now more and more often they associate it with a prestigious university. According to forecasts, in the current century, which has already been called the century of knowledge and information, education will become even more valuable.

On what principles is education built in our society? The Law of the Russian Federation “On Education” states that the state guarantees citizens universal access and free general secondary and primary vocational education, as well as on a competitive basis, free secondary professional and higher education in public educational institutions.

Along with state system education has emerged and is gaining strength: private gymnasiums and lyceums, colleges and universities. Most non-state, and also partially

State educational institutions operate on a paid, commercial basis.

The attitude towards paid education in our society is ambivalent: there are those who support it, but there are also critical assessments. Let's look at the arguments of each group. Supporters of paid education point primarily to the shortcomings of state educational institutions: low salaries for teachers, overcrowding school classes and student audiences, which does not allow taking into account the individual characteristics of students, lack of technical means, and outdated laboratory equipment. This situation is caused by the fact that education receives just crumbs from the depleted state pie. But not only this. As the experience of developed countries shows, private schools and universities, even in a rich state, are more attractive and prestigious than public ones. On to the cons state universities and technical schools also include the fact that they are poorly focused on new specialties in demand by the market. The consequence of this is high level unemployment among graduates of vocational educational institutions: in the mid-90s. about 40% of young unemployed people had higher and secondary specialized education.

Among the arguments put forward by opponents of the expansion of paid educational services, we highlight the following. The commercialization of education violates the legally established principles of its humanization and democratization, since it destroys equality of chances in acquiring knowledge and culture, and deepens property and social inequality in society. Private educational institutions in their current form are schools for the rich, and in our country wealth is often associated with power. This means that the class character of the school is being revived. In addition, the commodification of education makes access to it difficult, often leaving the bright and promising behind. In such conditions, we are unlikely to get new Lomonosovs.

What is your position on this issue? Discuss it in class.

Many of those who had the opportunity to study at the institute at one time remember their student years as the best time of their lives. Creative activity, openness in communication, great life plans and faith in own strength and opportunities paint life in optimistic tones. At the same time, not everyone, especially in the first years, manages to properly manage the increased degree of freedom, including in educational activities. Inability to make systematic mental efforts and working in fits and starts can cause failure and disappointment in studies.

START OF EMPLOYMENT

During adolescence, as we have already noted, for many young people the leading activity remains study. At the same time, the problems of choice future profession or direct employment are already coming to the fore. Studying itself (even in high school, not to mention a higher educational institution) is perceived not as a value in itself, but as a step towards mastering a profession.

Start labor activity After graduating from school, college, or institute, it has always been a serious test for a young man. The same is true today.

The current situation in terms of youth employment opportunities is very contradictory.

Firstly, the 90s last century were a period of decline in domestic production, lower wages in many state enterprises. This inevitably led to job cuts. Available vacancies do not always attract young people due to insufficient wages. The largest number of refusals occurs among young people under the age of 18 who have neither a profession nor work experience. In other words, the focus on high earnings is not always supported by one’s own capabilities.

Secondly, the state has ceased to be the only monopoly employer. Private-individual, joint-stock, and cooperative enterprises have emerged, where workers are paid, as a rule, higher than in the public sector. These enterprises willingly hire young people, although last years requirements to vocational training employee and length of service have become more stringent.

Thirdly, the reforms carried out in the country have led to a change in the nature labor relations. Freedom of labor was constitutionally enshrined and the right to control one’s ability to work was guaranteed. This meant abandoning the previously existing and legally enshrined principle of universal employment. The centralized distribution of educational institution graduates was abolished. The consequences of such a step turned out to be contradictory. On the one hand, it became possible to freely choose suitable job and type of activity for those entering the labor market for the first time. On the other hand, in the current conditions this inevitably led to increased unemployment among young people. At the end of the 90s. young people aged 15 to 24 made up approximately a fifth of the working-age population. Among the unemployed, young people accounted for more than 30%.

5-L. N. Bogolyubov, 11th class

The stabilization of the economy in recent years has improved the position of young people in the labor market. Today there are many who, immediately after graduating educational institution gets a highly paid and prestigious job.

By law, employment contracts can be concluded with persons over 16 years of age. Russian legislation provides for the possibility of getting a job from the age of 15. In some cases, with the consent of the parents, an agreement can be concluded with a student who has reached the age of 14 to perform light labor in his free time from school. At the same time, various benefits at work are introduced for workers under 18 years of age: it is prohibited to use their labor in hard work, dangerous or hazardous industries, as well as in activities that can cause harm moral development(in the gambling business, nightclubs, production, transportation, sale of alcoholic beverages). The law also provides for annual medical examinations of minors employed in production and prohibits their involvement in night and night work. overtime work, establishes an annual paid leave of 31 days. Termination of an employment contract with an employee under the age of 18 is permitted only with the consent of state inspection labor and commission on affairs of minors. All these measures are absolutely legitimate from the point of view of protecting the health of young people. At the same time, in the context of declining employment, they prevent the hiring of minor workers: enterprise managers do not want to incur economic losses due to the benefits provided.

YOUTH SUBCULTURE

Separate community groups characterized by special features of consciousness, behavior, and lifestyle. They create their own cultural niche - a subculture, which can be quite closed and autonomous in relation to the dominant culture (from the Latin sub - a particle indicating being under something, near something) or opposed to its fundamental values (counterculture). They started talking about a special youth subculture in Western countries after World War II. Youth culture far from homogeneous; it reveals gender, ethnic, and social class differences. Thus, communities of young men are characterized by a competitive spirit and an attitude towards their own success. For girls, it’s not so much the result that matters joint activities how much character folding interpersonal relationships. They are more selective in communication.

At the same time, youth culture can be considered as a whole, which has certain characteristics. First of all, this is the special nature of the relationship, focusing more on friendship and fellowship in peer groups than on family. The need to communicate with peers, as we know, arises very early. Adolescence is characterized by both a desire for isolation, primarily from elders (teachers, parents), and a desire to belong to some community of peers. So-called informal youth groups are emerging (the word “informal” in this case is used to emphasize the fundamental difference with officially registered public youth organizations).

Everyone’s need for communication is transformed into their own special motives that encourage them to join one or another group, one or another youth trend. Someone, as you know, hopes to find here understanding and emotional support, which is deprived of adult society. Another feels that group membership increases his strength and makes him more secure in a ruthless world of intense competition and rivalry. There are also those who crave the feeling of power over others.

Many youth groups are characterized by a contradictory combination of uniformity and dissimilarity, specialness. Uniformity (in style of behavior, musical preferences, fashion paraphernalia) is maintained within the group. At the same time, the community itself strives (primarily externally) to stand out in the general flow of youth movements.

Some informal youth associations not only isolate themselves from society, but also, to a certain extent, oppose it, rejecting established values and culture (in this case we can talk about youth counterculture). Such demonstrative rejection of social principles, morality, and the way of life of the majority was especially clearly manifested in youth movements in Western countries in the 60s Some protests by students and young workers even took place under political slogans (new left). Subsequently, protest began to be expressed not so much in direct opposition to society, but in attempts to “escape” it, creating new forms of human community (hippie colonies).

In our country, the time when informal youth associations appeared was the 80s. The most influential direction was the rock movement, united, in addition to passion for a certain musical style, by common ideological principles: anti-bureaucracy, pacifism, anti-totalitarianism. In 1987, the first fe-

Popular rock bands performed at large concert venues.

Today in our country there are many groups and trends in youth culture. The activities of most of them cover the sphere of leisure (music, sports and technical hobbies, etc.). There are associations imbued with public interests, for example the environmental movement. Today they are trying to strengthen their influence on young people political parties. Parties of different orientations have their own youth divisions.

There are youth groups that challenge public opinion. Most often this is expressed in the features of clothing and fashionable additions to it. Sometimes, however, direct antisocial actions (hooliganism, fights) are committed, for example by groups of football or hockey fans. In this case, society is faced with negative, deviant behavior. One of the radical groups expressing antisocial nationalist, sometimes pro-fascist views are the so-called skinheads. This trend originated in the late 60s. last century in England. The main external sign is a shaved head. The peculiarity of behavior is open aggression. Decades later, skinhead groups appeared in a number of countries, including ours. Their actions are shocking (outrageous) public opinion) often become criminal (violating the norms of criminal law).

The extreme and most dangerous manifestation of deviant behavior - crime, unfortunately, occurs among young people. (Remember: what are the causes of crime? What are the main directions in the fight against it?) You know that youth criminal groups characterized by a rigid hierarchy and subordination, strict distribution of functions, mutual responsibility. They are closed and closed.

Media play a major role in the emergence and spread of youth culture. mass media. Not only teenagers, but also young people have a tendency to follow the models of what they see on television and in the movies. Let's illustrate this with examples. In the early 90s. The film “The Program” was shown in the USA. In one of his episodes, a university student, in a show of courage, lay on the median of a busy highway while heavy trucks whizzed past him. Within two weeks of the film's showing, two young men in different states attempted the same trick. The consequences were tragic: both were crushed to death by drivers who did not notice them. Demonstration on our television

The series “Brigade” also caused a wave of imitators: young people in various regions of the country began to unite into their own “brigades” that were clearly criminally oriented.

To summarize, let us highlight the main features of youth culture: it is a challenge to the values of adults and experiments with one’s own way of life; peculiar tastes, especially in clothing and music; it is a culture of leisure rather than work.

AI Basic concepts: youth like social group.

IIT terms: teenagers, infantilism, subculture, counterculture.

1) Why did youth begin to be considered as an independent social group only with the transition to an industrial society? 2) What are the main psychological characteristics of adolescence? 3) What rights and responsibilities does a citizen of our state acquire upon reaching adulthood? 4) How do social roles and status of a person change in young years? 5) Give examples showing the possibilities of individual choice of a young person in various fields life. 6) What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society? 7) What factors of the current socio-economic situation in our country contribute and which hinder the employment of young people? 8) What workplace benefits are provided for minors? 9) What is characteristic of informal youth associations? 10) Describe the main features of modern youth subculture.

I think, judge, do

1. Some representatives of the older generation believe
They know that a significant part of today’s youth are not living
Vet, but lives, does not work, but earns money, does not work
Xia, but pretends.

How do you feel about this point of view? Explain your position.

2. Tatyana is 18 years old. Two years ago she left home.
main reason- rejection of the parents' lifestyle,
who, in her words, “only work, but free time
“hanging out” in front of the TV.” Comment on this situation
tion.

3. The share of youth among the unemployed in major cities
below the national average. At the same time, the department
in regions, young unemployed make up half
all those who have lost their jobs. How can these facts be explained?

4. “A person who is not married and does not own a
profession, continues to remain a child in the widest
sense of the word,” writes the sociologist. Do you agree with this
conclusion? Why?

5. Compare two definitions of the concept “youth”, with
published in modern scientific publications:

“Youth is a generation of people going through the stage of socialization, acquiring educational, professional, cultural and other social functions.”

“Youth is a socio-demographic group identified on the basis of the aggregate age characteristics, characteristics of social status.”

Do these definitions contradict each other or complement one another? Explain your conclusion.

6. According to sociologists, in early XIX V. average cart
The child's height at the time of his father's death was approximately 20
years. Young people automatically took jobs
their fathers. In the second half of the 20th century. in twenty-year-olds
Not only were both parents alive and working,
but often both grandfathers. At the same time, scientific and technical pro
progress led to a reduction in the number of jobs.

Does this situation, in your opinion, have an impact on the position of young people in the labor market? What are: a) competitive advantages; b) disadvantages of young people in comparison with older generations in the labor market?

Work with the source

Read an excerpt from the book of the German philosopher and sociologist K. Mannheim (1893-1947) “The Diagnosis of Our Time,” written in 1943, and answer the questions posed.

The youth- one of society's hidden resources

The first problem we face is: is the importance of youth stable in society? Obviously not. There are societies where older people are more respected than younger people. This was the case, for example, in Ancient China. In other societies, such as the United States, a person after forty is considered too old to work, and only young people are required. Societies differ not only in the prestige of young people, but also depending on whether young people are united in groups and movements that influence the course of events... The problem is that although there is always a new generation and youth age groups However, the question of their use depends each time on the nature and social structure of a given society. Youth is one of the hidden resources that exist in every society and on the mobilization of which its viability depends...

It is not difficult to guess in which societies older people have the greatest prestige, while the renewing forces of youth are not united in the movement and remain only a hidden reserve. I believe that static societies, which develop gradually and at a slow pace of change, rely mainly on the experience of older generations. They resist realizing the hidden potential of youth. Education in such societies focuses on the transmission of traditions, and the methods of teaching are reproduction and repetition. Such a society deliberately neglects the vital spiritual reserves of young people, since it does not intend to violate existing traditions.

In contrast to such static, slow-changing societies, dynamic societies that strive for a new start, regardless of their prevailing social or political philosophy, rely mainly on cooperation with youth... In this regard, the difference exists only between societies that achieve change through reforms and revolutions. In both cases it should be young people. The elderly and middle generations can only predict the nature of future changes, however new life Only the younger generation will live. It will bring to life those values that the older generation recognizes only theoretically.

Manheim K. Diagnosis of our time. - M., 1994. - P. 454-455.

Questions and assignments to the source. 1) How, according to the author, do societies differ in terms of the place and role of youth in them? 2) Give examples that existed in different countries youth organizations: a) that arose spontaneously, on the initiative “from below”; b) created and directed by the state. 3) Do you share the author’s conclusion that the main driving force revolutions and reforms advocated by young people? Justify your point of view, drawing on facts known to you from the past and present.

Self-test questions for lecture No. 32

1. What are psychological characteristics adolescence?

2. What rights and responsibilities does a citizen acquire upon reaching adulthood?

3. Give examples showing the possibilities of individual choice of a young person in various areas of life.

4. What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society?

5. What factors promote and what hinder youth employment?

6. What workplace benefits are provided for minors?

7. Some representatives of the older generation believe that modern youth do not live, but live, do not work, but earn extra money, do not act, but pretend. How do you feel about this point of view?

Topic: “Social structure of society”

Plan:

1. Social differentiation.

2. Social stratification and inequality.

3. Social mobility.

Earlier, when characterizing society, we paid attention to the forms of unification of people. People, carrying out joint activities, unite into various groups and communities. The interaction of people in such groups and groups among themselves constitutes the social sphere of society and is studied by the science of sociology.

Social differentiation comes from the Latin root “difference.” Social differentiation – This is the division of society into groups occupying different social positions.

Social stratification is characteristic of any society. Even in primitive society, people were divided into groups according to their inherent privileges and responsibilities. Later, this stratification became more complicated and became more and more obvious.

Types of differentiation:

1. Economic - expressed in the difference in income, standard of living, in the existence of rich and poor segments of the population.

2. Political – division of society into managers and governed, political leaders and mass.

3. Professional - the identification of different groups in society according to the type of their activity and occupation. Moreover, some professions are considered more prestigious than others.

The concept of social differentiation implies not only the division of society into groups, but also a certain inequality between them in terms of social status, privileges, responsibilities, etc.

Is this inequality removable? Where will it lead society?

Supporters of K. Marx's theory say that this is social injustice, but people must accept inequality as inevitable. Others believe that inequality makes people strive to improve social relations.

Ponder these points. and relate them to historical processes.

In their totality, social communities form the social structure of society. Sociologists have long tried to identify the basic element of this structure. Many consider class to be such an element. The very concept of “social class” appeared a long time ago. Initially, two classes were identified - the poor and the rich, i.e. only economic differentiation was taken into account. Later, a division arose into classes of the oppressed and the oppressed. The emergence of classes was associated with political violence.

Today, the concept of classes is often replaced by the concept of stratum.

Strata- This is a layer of people who have similar social statuses in society.

Modern society is usually divided into the following strata:

Highest – top class- a narrow group of people with significant power, wealth, and prestige throughout society. This is a closed elite that is difficult for others to join.

The lower - upper class consists of bankers, prominent politicians, owners of large companies who have achieved their own status.

Highest – middle class medium-sized entrepreneurs, senior managers, lawyers, doctors, university professors. They have high incomes and have high prestige.

The lower-middle class consists of engineers, teachers, heads of departments at enterprises, farmers, small entrepreneurs, and highly skilled workers.

Highest – lower class low-skilled workers, lower stratum of employees (secretaries, clerks)

Lower – the lower class are unemployed, homeless, foreign workers, etc.

Concerning modern Russia, then such a division of society into strata is just beginning to take shape. The main problem here is the slow reform of the middle class. In terms of income level, only 10-15% of the population can be classified as middle class, while the majority of Russian citizens according to this indicator belong to the lower classes.

Every person moves in the society in which he lives. For example, he moves to another city, goes to study, starts a family, gets a higher position, can go into business, go broke, etc. All these processes are called social mobility.

Social mobility – transitions of people from one social group and strata of society to another, which is accompanied by a change in their social status and income.

Types of social mobility:

Horizontal mobility– the transition of a person from one social position to another, located at the same level in society. For example: moving from one job to another, changing place of residence, surname, opening a business, going bankrupt, etc.

Vertical mobility is the transition of a person from one social layer to another. For example, a promotion, a significant improvement in a person’s well-being, etc. In vertical mobility, one can distinguish between upward and downward mobility - social rise and decline (bankrupt entrepreneur, nobility during the 1917 revolution)

The ways in which people move from one layer to another:

- improving education

Professional career

Marriages with representatives of a higher social class

Increasing income and changing lifestyle.

« Social processes in modern Russia"

1Trends in the development of social relations.

2. Lumpens and marginalized people.

3. Changes in social relations in Russian society.

Social structure, like other aspects of society, is subject to change. Picture of life modern humanity variegated and mobile, especially in developed countries. Groups associated with large-scale production are strengthening there, and the urban population is growing.

Significant changes are taking place in developed Western countries. One such trend is the rise of a “new” middle class. It includes the majority of the intelligentsia, middle and lower managers, and highly qualified workers. The incomes of these layers, in most cases employed, are no lower than those of the middle and petty bourgeoisie

(“old” middle class). The growth of the middle class reduces social differentiation and makes society more politically stable.

This group of countries has a large proportion of the population employed. At the same time, structural changes in the economy are leading to a reduction in the size of the industrial working class. There are fewer farmers. Unemployment remains an acute social problem.

State power seeks to have a certain impact on social relations. In some cases, the state supports the ideas of social equality, and in extreme cases, egalitarianism. This applies to former socialist countries, present-day Cuba, North Korea.

In Western countries, one of the main problems of the state is the prevention of social conflicts. Much is being done to support the most vulnerable segments of the population in a competitive economy - the elderly, the disabled, and large families.

There are 2 groups of the population that seem to fall out of the stable social structure of society. These are lumpen and marginalized.

Lumpens –(from German: rags) they include people who have sunk to the bottom public life- tramps, beggars, homeless people. As a rule, these come from different social strata and classes. An increase in the number of this group (lumpenization of the population) is dangerous for society, because it serves as a breeding ground for various kinds of extremist organizations.

Marginalized -(located on the edge). These include groups that occupy an intermediate position between stable communities. One of the main channels of marginalization is mass migration from rural to urban areas. This process took place, for example, in the 20s and 30s in our country. The expanding industrialization required more and more new workers. Former rural residents, having lost touch with the village way of life, had difficulty getting used to the urban environment. On for a long time they became people with severed social ties and destroyed spiritual values. Such sections of the population, “unaccelerated”, with an unstable social position, strived for a solid order established by the state, for a “strong hand”.

Let's consider some problems of social relations in Russia:

1. Increasing social differentiation of the population. This is expressed primarily in a significant increase in the gap in income of different social groups and in the level of consumption. The increase in social stratification is perceived painfully by society, which can become a source of social and political instability.

2. A significant decline in the status of many mass intellectual professions (teachers, doctors, engineers), intellectual work in general, including scientific activity. In Western countries, these professional groups are included in the middle class, but in Russia their salaries are very low.

3. The problem of “brain drain”: many specialists are looking for applications for their strength abroad.

4. Changes in the economy lead to the emergence of new social groups: entrepreneurs, farmers.

5. Active social movements increase the marginalization of society. This is caused by both the influx of refugees from other CIS republics and the reduction of the Armed Forces.

6. A difficult situation remains for the least protected groups of the population, “social risk groups”: large families, disabled people, pensioners, the unemployed.

The way out of these problems is seen as follows:

1. Make social policy a priority in the activities of the state.

2. The Constitution of the Russian Federation provides every citizen with the legal prerequisites for solving social problems.

Social Security by age, disability, loss of a breadwinner, raising children,

The right to remuneration for work, protection from unemployment,

Right to housing

Right to health care,

The right to public education.

Questions for test work by section

"Social Relations":

1. What is social differentiation? Indicate its types.

2. Is social inequality removable? Does it benefit society or harm it?

3. What is social stratification? What strata do you know?

4. What is meant by social mobility in sociology? Indicate types of mobility, give examples.

5. What is the role of the family in modern society, types of family?

6. List the functions of the family, which in your opinion is the most important?

7. What is the difference between marginals and lumpen? Which of them is the most dangerous to society and why?

8. What are the main social problems our society?

9. What are the main psychological characteristics of adolescence?

10. What rights and responsibilities does a citizen acquire upon reaching adulthood?

11. What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society?

12. What factors of the current socio-economic situation in Russia contribute and what hinder the employment of young people?

13. What workplace benefits are provided for minors?

14. Explain the concepts of ethnicity, clan, nation.

15.Indicate the characteristics of a nation, explain the concept of national identity?

16. What is ethnic conflict? Give examples from modern history Russia.

17. Why is nationalism assessed differently in science? What is its danger to society?

18. Explain the concepts of chauvinism and genocide?

19. What is personal status and how is it determined?

20. What is a social role? Give examples.

21. How does a person’s real behavior relate to his status role?

22. What is socialization? Where does the process of socialization occur with a person?

23. What influence does school have on the social development of an individual?

24. Analyze your status set. Highlight prescribed and achieved statuses. Which one do you think is the most important?

25. What factors promote and what hinder social mobility?

Sociologists include people between the ages of 16 and 25 (some researchers include people under 30). But age boundaries are not as significant as the characteristic specific features of youth consciousness and behavior.

One of the main, according to psychologists, gains of this period is the discovery of one’s own “I”. If for a teenager, external events and actions are primarily important, then as he enters adolescence, his inner world. Your own thoughts and feelings become no less a reality than the surrounding reality.

A person becomes more and more aware of his individuality and uniqueness. And if in adolescence many people were dominated by the desire to be like others, then in youth their own uniqueness is recognized as a value; it is developed, it is demonstrated.

It was already noted above that youth as a special social group began to be perceived by society only with the transition to the industrial phase of development. This was due to a number of reasons. First, the further deepening of the division of labor caused by the industrial revolution separated the family from the process of production and management of social processes. This made family education insufficient for mastering many social roles. Secondly, the increasing complexity of technology and growing specialization required For mastering the necessary knowledge and skills to extend the period of general education. As a result, entry into the labor market for most young people was increasingly delayed. late dates. Thirdly, the growth of people’s mobility, the complication of social life, the acceleration of the pace of social changes led to the fact that the lifestyle of the older and younger generations began to differ significantly; a youth subculture arose (this will be discussed further).

The commonality of social position - no longer children, not yet adults, the peculiarities of consciousness, lifestyle and behavior create the ground for the formation of youth communities with clearly defined their own characteristics.

CIVIL AGE OF MAJORITY

From the age of 18, in accordance with the Constitution of our state, a citizen of Russia can independently exercise their rights and responsibilities in full. Today, our Basic Law guarantees everyone, as you already know, a wide range of rights and freedoms: civil and socio-economic rights (the right to property, free labor, education, health care, etc.)” political rights (the right to association, participation in government, the right to elect and be elected), personal rights (the right to life, liberty and personal security, the right to freedom of movement, etc.), as well as freedom of conscience, thought and speech, and the media.

Having reached the age of 18, a citizen can enter into legal marriage. At the same time, if there are good reasons (pregnancy, childbirth, immediate threat to the life of one of the parties), local authorities have the right to lower the age of consent.

Full legal capacity presupposes not only the ability to exercise rights, but also the need to perform a certain range of civil duties. In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, these include: compliance with the Constitution and laws of the country, care of parents for children, as well as children, if they have reached 18 years of age and are able to work, for their disabled parents, timely payment of legal taxes and fees, protection of nature, historical monuments and culture. Receiving basic general education is mandatory. The duty of Russian citizens is to defend the Fatherland. The law provides that conscription for military service male citizens are subject to Russian Federation aged 18 to 27 years, who are not eligible for exemption or deferment from conscription for military service.

Gaining full rights and responsibilities changes the position of a young person in society and significantly expands his opportunities. The roles of a child and a teenager are mainly related to the family (son, daughter, brother, sister, grandson), school (student), various forms leisure activities (participant in the sports section). In the future, while maintaining some of the previous social positions(son, brother, etc.) new ones appear: student, worker, military man, voter, member of a political party, parent, participant in one of public organizations and many others.

However, in youth, as psychologists note, many of the new roles are not assimilated seriously and completely, but are, as it were, tried on and tested. Youth tends to use

Roll, choose, try. And older generations reserve for the young the right to make mistakes, to make some rash act or risky undertaking: “For the young, a mistake is a smile, for the old - a bitter tear,” “Young is green - told to take a walk,” “You were young and lived in sin.” But such a breadth of choice of social roles and a high degree of freedom for young people have become established in society relatively recently.

Young people are often accused of infantilism (from the Latin infantis - infantile, childish), i.e., a desire for dependency, demands for others to constantly take care of themselves, reduced criticality towards themselves and a lack of responsibility for their own actions. Obviously, such manifestations are not uncommon among young people. At the same time, the very fact that a young man has acquired full civil rights and responsibilities indicates that society already recognizes in him a high degree of social maturity, a developed sense of responsibility, and the ability to make decisions, guided not only by personal interests, but also by civic feelings.

EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Many people understand the importance of education in modern conditions. It is still considered today as the most important indicator of a person’s social status. If earlier parents associated a decent future for their children with a successful marriage, now more and more often they associate it with a prestigious university. According to forecasts, in the current century, which has already been called the century of knowledge and information, education will become even more valuable.

On what principles is education built in our society? The Law of the Russian Federation “On Education” states that the state guarantees citizens universal access and free general secondary and primary vocational education, as well as, on a competitive basis, free secondary vocational and higher education in state educational institutions.

Along with the state education system, private gymnasiums and lyceums, colleges and universities have emerged and are gaining strength. Most non-state, and also partially

State educational institutions operate on a paid, commercial basis.

The attitude towards paid education in our society is ambivalent: there are those who support it, but there are also critical assessments. Let's look at the arguments of each group. Supporters of paid education point first of all to the shortcomings of state educational institutions: low salaries of teachers, overcrowding of school classes and student auditoriums, which does not allow taking into account the individual characteristics of students, lack of technical means, and outdated laboratory equipment. This situation is caused by the fact that education receives just crumbs from the depleted state pie. But not only this. As the experience of developed countries shows, private schools and universities, even in a rich state, are more attractive and prestigious than public ones. The disadvantages of state universities and technical schools also include the fact that they are poorly focused on new specialties that are in demand by the market. The consequence of this is a high level of unemployment among graduates of vocational educational institutions: in the mid-90s. about 40% of young unemployed people had higher and secondary specialized education.

What is your position on this issue? Discuss it in class.

Many of those who had the opportunity to study at the institute at one time remember their student years as the best time of their lives. Creative activity, openness in communication, big life plans and faith in one's own strengths and capabilities paint life in optimistic tones. At the same time, not everyone, especially in the first years, manages to properly manage the increased degree of freedom, including in educational activities. Inability to make systematic mental efforts and working in fits and starts can cause failure and disappointment in studies.

START OF EMPLOYMENT

During adolescence, as we have already noted, for many young people the leading activity remains study. At the same time, the problems of choosing a future profession or direct employment are already coming to the fore. Studying itself (even in high school, not to mention a higher educational institution) is perceived not as a value in itself, but as a step towards mastering a profession.

Starting a career after graduating from school, college, or institute has always been a serious test for a young man. The same is true today.

The current situation in terms of youth employment opportunities is very contradictory.

Firstly, the 90s of the last century were a period of decline in domestic production and a decrease in wages at many state-owned enterprises. This inevitably led to job cuts. Available vacancies do not always attract young people due to insufficient wages. The largest number of refusals occurs among young people under the age of 18 who have neither a profession nor work experience. In other words, the focus on high earnings is not always supported by one’s own capabilities.

Secondly, the state has ceased to be the only monopoly employer. Private-individual, joint-stock, and cooperative enterprises have emerged, where workers are paid, as a rule, higher than in the public sector. These enterprises willingly hire young people, although in recent years the requirements for employee professional training and work experience have become more stringent.

Thirdly, the reforms carried out in the country have led to a change in the nature of labor relations. Freedom of labor was constitutionally enshrined and the right to control one’s ability to work was guaranteed. This meant abandoning the previously existing and legally enshrined principle of universal employment. The centralized distribution of educational institution graduates was abolished. The consequences of such a step turned out to be contradictory. On the one hand, it became possible to freely choose a suitable job and type of activity for those entering the labor market for the first time. On the other hand, in the current conditions this inevitably led to increased unemployment among young people. At the end of the 90s. young people aged 15 to 24 made up approximately a fifth of the working-age population. Among the unemployed, young people accounted for more than 30%.

5-L. N. Bogolyubov, 11th class

The stabilization of the economy in recent years has improved the position of young people in the labor market. Today there are many who immediately after graduating from an educational institution receive a highly paid and prestigious job.

By law, employment contracts can be concluded with persons over 16 years of age. Russian legislation provides for the possibility of getting a job from the age of 15. In some cases, with the consent of the parents, an agreement can be concluded with a student who has reached the age of 14 to perform light labor in his free time from school. At the same time, various benefits at work are introduced for workers under 18 years of age: it is prohibited to use their labor in hard work, dangerous or hazardous industries, as well as in those types of activities that can harm moral development (in the gambling business, night clubs, in the production, transportation, sale of alcoholic beverages). The law also provides for annual medical examinations of minors employed in production, prohibits their involvement in night and overtime work, and establishes an annual paid leave of 31 days. Termination of an employment contract with an employee under the age of 18 is permitted only with the consent of the state labor inspectorate and the commission for minors. All these measures are absolutely legitimate from the point of view of protecting the health of young people. At the same time, in the context of declining employment, they prevent the hiring of minor workers: enterprise managers do not want to incur economic losses due to the benefits provided.

YOUTH SUBCULTURE

Certain social groups are characterized by special features of consciousness, behavior, and lifestyle. They create their own cultural niche - a subculture, which can be quite closed and autonomous in relation to the dominant culture (from the Latin sub - a particle indicating being under something, near something) or opposed to its fundamental values (counterculture). They started talking about a special youth subculture in Western countries after World War II. Youth culture is far from homogeneous; it reveals gender, ethnic, and social class differences. Thus, communities of young men are characterized by a competitive spirit and an attitude towards their own success. For girls, it is not so much the result of joint activities that is important, but the nature of the developing interpersonal relationships. They are more selective in communication.

Some informal youth associations not only isolate themselves from society, but also, to a certain extent, oppose it, rejecting established values and culture (in this case we can talk about youth counterculture). Such demonstrative rejection of social principles, morality, and the lifestyle of the majority was especially clearly manifested in youth movements in Western countries in the 60s. Some protests by students and young workers even took place under political slogans (new left). Subsequently, protest began to be expressed not so much in direct opposition to society, but in attempts to “escape” it, creating new forms of human community (hippie colonies).

Popular rock bands performed at large concert venues.

Today in our country there are many groups and trends in youth culture. The activities of most of them cover the sphere of leisure (music, sports and technical hobbies, etc.). There are associations imbued with public interests, for example the environmental movement. Today, political parties are striving to strengthen their influence on young people. Parties of different orientations have their own youth divisions.

There are youth groups that challenge public opinion. Most often this is expressed in the features of clothing and fashionable additions to it. Sometimes, however, direct antisocial actions (hooliganism, fights) are committed, for example by groups of football or hockey fans. In this case, society is faced with negative, deviant behavior. One of the radical groups expressing antisocial nationalist, sometimes pro-fascist views are the so-called skinheads. This trend originated in the late 60s. last century in England. The main external sign is a shaved head. The peculiarity of behavior is open aggression. Decades later, skinhead groups appeared in a number of countries, including ours. Their actions go from being shocking (disturbing public opinion) to often becoming criminal (violating criminal law).

The extreme and most dangerous manifestation of deviant behavior - crime, unfortunately, occurs among young people. (Remember: what are the causes of crime? What are the main directions in the fight against it?) You know that youth criminal groups are distinguished by a strict hierarchy and subordination, a strict distribution of functions, and mutual responsibility. They are closed and closed.

The media play a major role in the emergence and spread of youth culture. Not only teenagers, but also young people have a tendency to follow the models of what they see on television and in the movies. Let's illustrate this with examples. In the early 90s. The film “The Program” was shown in the USA. In one of his episodes, a university student, in a show of courage, lay on the median of a busy highway while heavy trucks whizzed past him. Within two weeks of the film's showing, two young men in different states attempted the same trick. The consequences were tragic: both were crushed to death by drivers who did not notice them. Demonstration on our television

The series “Brigade” also caused a wave of imitators: young people in various regions of the country began to unite into their own “brigades” that were clearly criminally oriented.

To summarize, let us highlight the main features of youth culture: it is a challenge to the values of adults and experiments with one’s own way of life; unique tastes, especially in clothing and music; it is a culture of leisure rather than work.

AI Basic concepts: youth as a social group.

IIT terms: teenagers, infantilism, subculture, counterculture.

1) Why did youth begin to be considered as an independent social group only with the transition to an industrial society? 2) What are the main psychological characteristics of adolescence? 3) What rights and responsibilities does a citizen of our state acquire upon reaching adulthood? 4) How do social roles and status of a person change in young years? 5) Give examples showing the possibilities of individual choice of a young person in various areas of life. 6) What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society? 7) What factors of the current socio-economic situation in our country contribute and which hinder the employment of young people? 8) What workplace benefits are provided for minors? 9) What is characteristic of informal youth associations? 10) Describe the main features of modern youth subculture.

I think, judge, do

How do you feel about this point of view? Explain your position.

2. Tatyana is 18 years old. Two years ago she left home.
The main reason is the rejection of the parents’ lifestyle, which
who, in her words, “only work, and in their free time
“hanging out” in front of the TV.” Comment on this situation
tion.

3. Share of youth among the unemployed in large cities
below the national average. At the same time, the department
in regions, young unemployed make up half
all those who have lost their jobs. How can these facts be explained?

4. “A person who is not married and does not own a
profession, continues to remain a child in the widest
sense of the word,” writes the sociologist. Do you agree with this
conclusion? Why?

5. Compare two definitions of the concept “youth”, with
published in modern scientific publications:

“Youth is a generation of people going through the stage of socialization, acquiring educational, professional, cultural and other social functions.”

“Youth is a socio-demographic group identified on the basis of a combination of age characteristics and characteristics of social status.”

Do these definitions contradict each other or complement one another? Explain your conclusion.

6. According to sociologists, at the beginning of the 19th century. average cart
The child's height at the time of his father's death was approximately 20
years. Young people automatically took jobs
their fathers. In the second half of the 20th century. in twenty-year-olds
Not only were both parents alive and working,
but often both grandfathers. At the same time, scientific and technical pro
progress led to a reduction in the number of jobs.

Work with the source

Read an excerpt from the book of the German philosopher and sociologist K. Mannheim (1893-1947) “The Diagnosis of Our Time,” written in 1943, and answer the questions posed.

The youth- one of society's hidden resources

The first problem we face is: is the importance of youth stable in society? Obviously not. There are societies where older people are more respected than younger people. This was the case, for example, in Ancient China. In other societies, such as the United States, a person after forty is considered too old to work, and only young people are required. Societies differ not only in the prestige of young people, but also depending on whether youth are united in groups and movements that influence the course of events... The problem is that although there is always a new generation and youth age groups, However, the question of their use depends each time on the nature and social structure of a given society. Youth is one of the hidden resources that exist in every society and on the mobilization of which its viability depends...

In contrast to such static, slow-changing societies, dynamic societies that strive for a new start, regardless of their prevailing social or political philosophy, rely mainly on cooperation with youth... In this regard, the difference exists only between societies that achieve change through reforms and revolutions. In both cases it should be young people. The older and middle generations can only predict the nature of the coming changes, but only the younger generation will live a new life. It will bring to life those values that the older generation recognizes only theoretically.

Manheim K. Diagnosis of our time. - M., 1994. - P. 454-455.

Questions and assignments to the source. 1) How, according to the author, do societies differ in terms of the place and role of youth in them? 2) Give examples of youth organizations that existed in different countries: a) that arose spontaneously, on the initiative “from below”; b) created and directed by the state. 3) Do you share the author’s conclusion that the main driving force of revolutions and reforms is youth? Justify your point of view, drawing on facts known to you from the past and present.

Some informal youth associations not only isolate themselves from society, but also, to a certain extent, oppose it, rejecting established values and culture (in this case we can talk about youth counterculture). Such demonstrative rejection of social principles, morality, and the lifestyle of the majority was especially clearly manifested in youth movements in Western countries in the 60s. Some protests by students and young workers even took place under political slogans (new left). Subsequently, protest began to be expressed not so much in direct opposition to society, but in attempts to “escape” it, creating new forms of human community (hippie colonies).

Popular rock bands performed at large concert venues.

Today in our country there are many groups and trends in youth culture. The activities of most of them cover the sphere of leisure (music, sports and technical hobbies, etc.). There are associations imbued with public interests, for example the environmental movement. Today, political parties are striving to strengthen their influence on young people. Parties of different orientations have their own youth divisions.

There are youth groups that challenge public opinion. Most often this is expressed in the features of clothing and fashionable additions to it. Sometimes, however, direct antisocial actions (hooliganism, fights) are committed, for example by groups of football or hockey fans. In this case, society is faced with negative, deviant behavior. One of the radical groups expressing antisocial nationalist, sometimes pro-fascist views are the so-called skinheads. This trend originated in the late 60s. last century in England. The main external sign is a shaved head. The peculiarity of behavior is open aggression. Decades later, skinhead groups appeared in a number of countries, including ours. Their actions go from being shocking (disturbing public opinion) to often becoming criminal (violating criminal law).

The extreme and most dangerous manifestation of deviant behavior - crime, unfortunately, occurs among young people. (Remember: what are the causes of crime? What are the main directions in the fight against it?) You know that youth criminal groups are distinguished by a strict hierarchy and subordination, a strict distribution of functions, and mutual responsibility. They are closed and closed.

The series “Brigade” also caused a wave of imitators: young people in various regions of the country began to unite into their own “brigades” that were clearly criminally oriented.

AI Basic concepts: youth as a social group.

IIT terms: teenagers, infantilism, subculture, counterculture.

1) Why did youth begin to be considered as an independent social group only with the transition to an industrial society? 2) What are the main psychological characteristics of adolescence? 3) What rights and responsibilities does a citizen of our state acquire upon reaching adulthood? 4) How do social roles and status of a person change in young years? 5) Give examples showing the possibilities of individual choice of a young person in various areas of life. 6) What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society? 7) What factors of the current socio-economic situation in our country contribute and which hinder the employment of young people? 8) What workplace benefits are provided for minors? 9) What is characteristic of informal youth associations? 10) Describe the main features of modern youth subculture.

I think, judge, do

How do you feel about this point of view? Explain your position.

4. “A person who is not married and does not own a
profession, continues to remain a child in the widest
sense of the word,” writes the sociologist. Do you agree with this
conclusion? Why?

5. Compare two definitions of the concept “youth”, with
published in modern scientific publications:

“Youth is a generation of people going through the stage of socialization, acquiring educational, professional, cultural and other social functions.”

“Youth is a socio-demographic group identified on the basis of a combination of age characteristics and characteristics of social status.”

Do these definitions contradict each other or complement one another? Explain your conclusion.

Work with the source

Read an excerpt from the book of the German philosopher and sociologist K. Mannheim (1893-1947) “The Diagnosis of Our Time,” written in 1943, and answer the questions posed.

The youth- one of society's hidden resources

The first problem we face is: is the importance of youth stable in society? Obviously not. There are societies where older people are more respected than younger people. This was the case, for example, in Ancient China. In other societies, such as the United States, a person after forty is considered too old to work, and only young people are required. Societies differ not only in the prestige of young people, but also depending on whether youth are united in groups and movements that influence the course of events... The problem is that although there is always a new generation and youth age groups, However, the question of their use depends each time on the nature and social structure of a given society. Youth is one of the hidden resources that exist in every society and on the mobilization of which its viability depends...

In contrast to such static, slow-changing societies, dynamic societies that strive for a new start, regardless of their prevailing social or political philosophy, rely mainly on cooperation with youth... In this regard, the difference exists only between societies that achieve change through reforms and revolutions. In both cases it should be young people. The older and middle generations can only predict the nature of the coming changes, but only the younger generation will live a new life. It will bring to life those values that the older generation recognizes only theoretically.

Manheim K. Diagnosis of our time. - M., 1994. - P. 454-455.

Why did youth begin to be considered as an independent social group only with the transition to an industrial society?
What are the main psychological characteristics of adolescence?
What rights and responsibilities does a citizen of our state acquire upon reaching adulthood?
How do social roles and status of a person change in youth?
Give examples showing the possibilities of individual choice of a young person in various areas of life.

What indicates the preservation of the prestige of education in our society?
What factors of the current socio-economic situation in our country contribute and what factors hinder the employment of young people?
What workplace benefits are provided for minors?
What is characteristic of informal youth associations?
Describe the main features of modern youth subculture.

Think, discuss, do

1. Some representatives of the older generation believe that a significant part of modern youth does not live, but lives, does not work, but earns money, does not work, but pretends to work.

How do you feel about this point of view? Explain your position.

2. Tatyana is 18 years old. Two years ago she left home. The main reason is the rejection of the lifestyle of her parents, who, according to her, “only work, and in their free time they hang out at the TV.” Please comment on this situation.

3. The share of young people among the unemployed in large cities is lower than the national figure. At the same time, in some regions, young unemployed people make up half of all those who have lost their jobs. How can these facts be explained?

4. “A person who is not married and does not have a profession continues to remain a child in the broadest sense of the word,” writes the sociologist. Do you agree with this conclusion? Why?

5. Compare two definitions of the concept of “youth” given in modern scientific publications: “Youth is a generation of people going through the stage of socialization, acquiring educational, professional, cultural and other social functions”; “Youth is a socio-demographic group, identified on the basis of a combination of age characteristics and characteristics of social status.”

Do these definitions contradict each other or complement one another? Explain your conclusion.

6. According to sociologists, at the beginning of the 19th century. the average age of the child at the time of the father's death was approximately 20 years. Young people automatically took their fathers' jobs. At the end of XX - beginning of XXI V. Twenty-year-olds had not only both parents alive and working, but often also grandparents. At the same time, scientific and technological progress led to a reduction in the number of jobs. Does this situation, in your opinion, have an impact on the position of young people in the labor market? What are the competitive advantages and disadvantages of young people compared to older generations in the labor market?

Work with the source

Read an excerpt from the book by the German philosopher and sociologist K. Mannheim (1893-1947) “The Diagnosis of Our Time,” written in 1943, and answer the questions posed.

Youth is one of the hidden resources of society. The first problem we face is this: is the importance of youth in society stable? Obviously not. There are societies where older people are more respected than younger people. This was the case, for example, in Ancient China. In other societies, such as the United States, a person after forty is considered too old to work and only young people are needed. Societies differ not only in the prestige of their young people, but also in whether the youth are united in groups and movements that influence the course of events...

The problem is that although there is always a new generation and youth age groups, the question of their use depends each time on the nature and social structure of a given society. Youth is one of the hidden resources that exist in every society and on the mobilization of which its viability depends...

They resist realizing the hidden potential of youth. Education in such societies focuses on the transmission of traditions, and the methods of teaching are reproduction and repetition. Such a society deliberately neglects the vital spiritual reserves of young people, since it does not intend to violate existing traditions.

In contrast to such static, slow-changing societies, dynamic societies that strive for a new start, regardless of their prevailing social or political philosophy, rely mainly on cooperation with youth... In this regard, the difference exists only between societies that achieve change through reforms and revolutions. In both cases it should be young people. The older and middle generations can only predict the nature of the coming changes, but only the younger generation will live a new life. It will bring to life those values that the older generation recognizes only theoretically.

Manheim K. Diagnosis of our time. - M., 1994. - p. 454-455.

Questions and assignments to the source

How, according to the author, do societies differ in terms of the place and role of youth in them?
Give examples of youth organizations that existed in different countries: a) that arose spontaneously, on the initiative “from below”; b) created and directed by the state.
Do you share the author’s conclusion that the main driving force of revolutions and reforms is youth? Justify your point of view, drawing on facts known to you from the past and present.

Youth subculture. Youth as a social group

Think, discuss, do

Work with the source

Questions and assignments to the source

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