Family and Family Values in the Perceptions of the Young Generation

Abstract

Changes in the perception of family values among young people have become an important topic of analysis in the context of postmodernization, digitalization, and global socio-­economic transformations. This article focuses on examining whether the family retains its significance for the younger generation and identifying the factors influencing the transformation of family attitudes. The authors aim to analyze whether these changes are driven by hedonism and infantilism in modern youth or represent an adaptation to the objective challenges of contemporary reality. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive study was conducted, including an analysis of international and domestic scholarly research, data from VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center), and results from the authors’ sociological survey of students at two major Moscow universities. The collected data enabled an exploration of the influence of social institutions, media, the state, and the labor market on the formation of family attitudes. The findings indicate that while young people recognize the importance of family, they reinterpret its functions and place in their lives. Most respondents consider family a crucial value, yet the focus has shifted from the traditional view of family as a foundation for reproduction to its ability to fulfill emotional needs for love, care, and personal support. Participants demonstrate an individualistic approach to family life, including support for abortion rights, neutral attitudes toward cohabitation, and delayed childbearing. The article offers policy recommendations to support the family institution, including the development of flexible work arrangements for parents, increasing access to childcare facilities, promoting equal participation of men and women in family life, and implementing educational programs and mentoring initiatives. Particular attention is given to the role of the media as a tool for promoting responsible parenting and a thoughtful approach to family creation.