Transformations of the Family Institution in the Perception of Student Youth in the South of Russia

Introduction. The family, being one of the most important social institutions, is subject to significant changes that occur in society and in its social organization. However, the direction of family transformations does not immediately become obvious, which actualizes their scientific understanding on the basis of sociological measurements. The purpose of the article is to identify the attitude of student youth in the South of Russia to the nature of the transformations taking place in the modern institution of the family and, on their basis, to formulate generalizing conclusions and recommendations. The importance of such research is determined by the special role of the student social group in ensuring the sustainability of society and in shaping its future appearance. Materials and Methods. The object of the study was student youth of the South of Russia. The empirical basis of the study was the results of a survey of full-time students at 13 universities and university branches in the South of Russia (Rostov Region, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories) based on a representative sample (n = 639). The questionnaire survey method made it possible to identify some of the students’ attitudes and aspirations regarding the institutional state of the family. The conceptual basis of the study was the constructivist approach, which considers the most important theoretical meanings and trajectories of the process of family transformation (crisis and modernist) as social constructs that influence students’ perception of the direction of development of the family institution. Results. Analysis of the collected empirical material shows a certain duality in the position of student youth in the South of Russia in determining priority trajectories for the development of the family institution. This is evidenced by students’ perception of the crisis and modernist constructs of family transformation through the analysis of their main indicators (the state of attractiveness of a family-child lifestyle; attitude to the dominance of having few children and having one child; perception of childfreeness; attitude to divorce and cohabitation, etc.). The survey also revealed a certain predominance among students of negative assessments of the influence of individualistic value sentiments on the institutional stability of the family. Discussion and Conclusion. Using the example of the southern region of Russia, the conclusion was confirmed that the worldview, socio-economic and information-cognitive state of society influences the priority of perception of various trajectories of transformation of the family institution (crisis and modernization). The attitude of students to semantic indicators of their perception is ambiguous. This is largely due to the heterogeneity of value orientations in our society. The practical significance of the study lies in the fact that it made it possible to identify the opinion of student youth about their attitude to the current state of the family institution and the prospects for its development. The results obtained may be useful to scientists studying this issue, as well as practitioners forming and implementing youth policy.