Value orientations and social practices of Russian youth: the problem of correlation

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of gaps between the declared value priorities of Russian youth and their actual behavioral practices in the context of the institutional consolidation of traditional values at the state level. Based on a comparison of data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey and the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE), the study concludes that systematic gaps exist between value attitudes and behavioral strategies. It is found that family and work remain the core of the value system; however, their practical realization - entering into marriage, having children, and entering the labor market - shifts to the age of 25-35 years. In the value-political sphere, materialistic values dominate, while post-materialistic values remain on the periphery. Religion, despite a formally high proportion of believers (66.2 %), remains a marker of cultural identity rather than a regulator of everyday behavior. It is concluded that the findings do not indicate a rejection of traditional values by young people, but rather a change in the temporal model of their realization and the individualization of life strategies, which can be seen as a manifestation of "delayed adulthood". The results obtained can be used in the development of youth policy and programs aimed at supporting young families and professional self-realization of young people.