FAMILY AND CHILDREN IN THE SYSTEM OF THE STUDENT’S VALUES

Abstract

Introduction. This paper is devoted to identifying the role of family and children in the value system of
Kaliningrad university students. This aspect is important both in connection with the current demographic
situation, as well as with the decision to declare 2024 the Year of the Family in Russia.
Materials and methods. In 2023, a survey was conducted among students of Kaliningrad universities,
which was attended by 241 people aged 18-24 years. The questionnaire consisted of six “open” questions.
Students were asked to give their own definition of the concept of “values”; to name the most significant
values; to describe the ideal family model; to determine the role of children in general and in their own life
strategies; to explain the reasons for wanting or not wanting to have children. This type of survey was designated as an express interview. The methodological basis of the study was the concept of demographic
well-being, according to which demographic processes must be considered simultaneously at the macro
and micro levels. In this research, the focus was on the micro level.
Results. The study revealed that the majority of respondents perceive values as basic attitudes that define
a person’s life, are expressed in spiritual and material things and are passed on to the next generations. The
most important values are recognized as family, friendship, money, love, freedom and health. Talking about
the ideal family, the survey participants described the relationships they would like to see in the family. Only
a few people consider the ideal families in which they grew up and live. The majority of respondents intend
to have children in the future, although some make a reservation that there must be appropriate conditions
for this. At the same time, a significant proportion of young people were identified who expressed a fundamental reluctance to have children.
Discussion. Based on the conducted research, it was revealed that the family is the most significant category in the students’ value system. The ideal is a complete family without financial problems, whose members live in an environment of mutual understanding, support and love. For most respondents, children seem
to be a necessary part of the family. Some survey participants expressed unwillingness to perform parental
functions. The conducted research has demonstrated the importance of analyzing demographic processes
at the micro level, that is, from a human perspective, taking into account his values and life attitudes.