Sociocultural Orientations: Life Values, Attitudes, and Motives: 1.1. Life values

Abstract

Abstract This section will examine the opinions of students, parents, and teachers regarding their personal prospects, their preferences for various life values, and religious and political orientations. In the process we will attempt to determine differences in respondents’ points of view, and also to trace the influence of socio-demographic (sex, age) and social-stratificational factors (level of education, material condition, and so forth). It is important to emphasize that what is of the greatest interest to us here are the characteristics of the life perspectives and values of participants in the educational process under conditions of the megalopolis. This means that it will be necessary to examine not only the assessments of the students, teachers, and parents regarding their personal perspectives and opportunities for self-realization in the superlarge city, which affords a great variety of opportunities, but also to study manifestations of political and religious orientations. It is essential to keep in mind that, given the present sociopolitical situation in the country as a whole, the latter aspects are taking on special importance, and are largely determining present policies and the future development of the sphere of education. Unfortunately, for reasons that are well understood, these matters have until recently remained closed off to researchers.