Gulyaev S.B.

Materials of this article are part of a large research project, started in 1995, which is devoted to the problems of the Russian world, its birth and life history. The article deals with the issues concerning the development of the Russian family as the main social institution of the Russian society, taking on the role of a custodian, culture-bearer and point man of national culture patterns. The historical significance of the family and the process of transformation of this social institution are investigated. The purpose of this study within the framework of the project: to identify and justify the importance and role of traditional Russian family culture for modern Russian society, the formation of its spiritual and moral meanings, values, ideals. The process of changes in the Russian family under the influence of values reassessment is investigated. This goal helped to achieve the following objectives: to show the interdependence of historical development of Russian families and Russian culture; justify the role of family culture in shaping the image of the Russian people; to show the significance of national family priorities (meanings, values, traditions, art and others) in education and socialization of children. The following research methods were used: philosophical (philosophical and historical analysis of the peculiarities of the Russian culture and civilization development); general scientific (analysis and synthesis, comparison and contrast, classification and generalization); private scientific (analysis of empirical and sociological data on the problem of this research). The results of the philosophical-historical and socio-pedagogical analysis of the historical heritage of the Russian culture allowed the authors to understand and reflect in their scientific positions some historical sociocultural aspects that define the formation process of the unique Russian culture, mentality of its people, the traditional meanings and values of Russian family.