Ростовская Т.К.

This article provides the sociological portrait of youth in Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod regions in a comparative context. The young citizens’ demographic, national, religious and value aspects have been studied against the socio-economic background of the regions. The sociological research data aimed at identifying the value orientations of young people in the regions have been used as part of the process, with special emphasis on the political component of the young citizens’ interests and activities. The obtained results demonstrate that the social portraits of the youth of Nizhny Novgorod and Saratov regions are quite inadequate. Despite the rather different socio-economic conditions of Saratov and Nizhny Novgorod regions, the data presented in the article illustrates relatively calm social environment among young people. Values of vital importance underlying the prosperity of any nation are predominant among the young people’ orientations. Moderate attitude to ethnic and religious diversity shows the possibility of comfortable coexistence between representatives of certain nations and religions, and hence, contributes to the development of the multicultural social environment of the RF subjects. Along with that, in both regions, young people are unwilling to take an active part in politics.

An important role in the social integration of a young person is played by values and value orientations that have a personal meaning and are capable of laying the prototype of the future state system. Therefore, the study of the structure of the value systems of the younger generation is an urgent problem at every stage of social development. The analysis of the values of young people will open up the youth potential and take the necessary steps to overcome the crises of public administration.