Conception of the research of youth value orientations

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Jaunimas; Vertybės; Kultūrinė sociologija; Youth; Values; Cultural sociology.

ENYouth issues have been relevant at all times. Young generation is one of the resources that exist in every society and on mobilisation of which its viability depends. Under the so-called normal conditions (in a stable society) this reserve remains covert; however, in case of a sudden crisis or if the fundamental attitudes have to be changed, the survival of the whole society depends on the ability to quickly and appropriately mobilise this latent resource. Static societies, that develop gradually and are characterised by a slow pace of change, rely mainly on the experience of older generations. They resist the realization of hidden opportunities of the youth. Such societies deliberately neglect vital spiritual reserves of the youth because they do not intend to break with the existing traditions. In contrast to such static and gradually developing societies, there are dynamic societies which, regardless of social and political philosophy that prevails in them, strive for new equal opportunities and rely mainly on cooperating with young people. Such societies manage and use their vital resources by disrupting the established order of social progress. In this respect the difference exists only between societies seeking change through reforms and through revolutions. In both cases they should be carried out by young people. The elderly and middle-aged generations can only predict the nature of future changes and creative imagination of these generations can be used for the formation of new policies; however, only the young generation will have to live a new life. The younger generation will put into practice the values that are only theoretically recognized by the older gereation. A special function of the youth is that they are mediators, a kind of reservoir that comes to the fore when a recovery becomes necessary to adapt to rapidly changing or qualitatively new circumstances. [Extract, p. 48]