Youth Problems in the Sociological Dimension (The Case of the Republics of Bashkortostan, Mari El, Udmurtia, Mordovia, and Chuvashia)

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2023-4/59-73

Abstract

The article presents the results of the research aimed at studying social well-being and identifying the most pressing youth problems. The empirical basis of the study was formed by the data of sociological and expert surveys conducted in the fall of 2021 in five republics of the Volga Federal District (Bashkortostan, Mari El, Mordovia, Udmurtia, Chuvashia). The sample included students of secondary vocational and higher education (1,500 people) and specialists (experts) in the field of youth policy (150 people). The survey has indicated that for a significant part of the interviewed young people, the most worrying problems are directly or indirectly related to their material situation: low income, difficulties with employment, lack of their own housing, etc. However, along with the "old" problems, new challenges related to the spread of dangerous diseases, terrorist threats, and armed attacks on educational organizations are also becoming relevant. In the face of dissatisfaction with their situation, there is still a high degree of motivation for young people to leave the republics for other regions or outside Russia. Thus, youth problems remain topical and require constant attention from the authorities and the public, significant material resources, moral support, scientific research on youth issues, monitoring of the youth environment, etc.