STUDENTS’ SOCIAL IDEAS ABOUT FAMILY AND FAMILY RELATIONS

Abstract: the article presents the results of a study that reveals the features of students’ social ideas about the family and family relationships. The purpose of the article is what place the family occupies in the structure of students’ value orientations, as well as to determine the attitude of students to the family, to premarital relations and various aspects of family functioning, taking into account gender differences. The place of family values in the general hierarchy of students’ values is revealed. The similarities and differences in the system of values and social representations of boys and girls about the family and family relationships are highlighted. In girls, unlike boys, family values “love” and “happy family life” occupy a dominant position, while girls do not seek development and professional independence. Self-realization is associated primarily with the presence of a family. Boys attach more importance to the material component in marriage and less to the fulfillment of role functions (household duties) than girls. Common in the system of representations of both boys and girls is the fact that the family acts as a necessary side of life, is built on the basis of an officially concluded marriage; family relations are built on the principle of equality; the presence of 1-2 children is an obligatory component of the family; cohabitation and sexual relations prior to marriage are desirable; pregnancy prevention and planning is of high importance; relationships with a person of the same sex are rejected; love, respect, trust in the family are of high value; knowledge of the partner’s environment and the existence of a common system of values, social equality are underestimated; the main reason for divorce is treason. The work also presents the results of a questionnaire that reveals students’ perceptions of premarital relations, factors affecting the creation of a family, parental responsibilities, and reasons for divorce.

Keywords: social representations, family, family relations, family values, students

litvinova