In a broad sense, the concept of "youth" includes a socio-age group, which is characterized by its status in society and age limits. During this period, young people undergo a qualitative transition from childhood to youth, implying the emergence of civil liability. In this article you will learn about this concept, its essence, the specifics of social work with adolescents.
Definition
At the same time, some experts in the concept of "youth" put an idea of the totality of young people whom the state gives the opportunity for social development. The surrounding world contributes to this by providing certain benefits to young people. But at the same time, they are limited in the possibility of direct and active participation in certain areas of public life.
In defining the concept of “youth”, experts establish different age limits. As a rule, whom to consider young people depends on the specific country and culture existing in it. Typically, the lower age limit is set at 14-16 years, and the upper - between 25-30 years. In some cases, even later.
The essence of the concept of "youth"
It is worth recognizing that there is still no consensus on this issue. Some experts define the concept of "youth", highlighting it solely by age.
However, most researchers are inclined to believe that today there are significant difficulties in determining the age limits of youth. The fact is that there is no scientific framework for youth. Moreover, both from the content and from the functional point of view. At the same time, sociologists note that the substantial essence of the concept of "youth" has not yet been disclosed.
Most agree that this is a group of people that is characterized not only by their age, but also by their behavior. They no longer play the role of a child, but also do not become adults and independent people. This condition consists in preparing for the reproduction of the future society. Youth age becomes a process of accumulation of psychological neoplasms, characterized by adaptation to all kinds of relationships around, the development of social space. All this happens due to the interaction of young people with others.
The main meaning of substantial changes in this case lies in the process of socialization, which consists in the development of properties and qualities that human nature possesses.
As a result, the most optimal definition of the concept of "youth" as an independent and complex organism, which becomes an integral part of society. Objectively sets itself different goals and objectives in a relationship. Interacts with adults, striving to develop their own socially significant world.
The concept of youth in social studies
To thoroughly understand this concept, one should study what meaning social scientists put into the concept of "youth."
For representatives of this science, it is crucial that young people belong to a socio-demographic group. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is customary to include citizens aged 14 to 30 years.
It is formed on the basis of a combination of features of social status, age characteristics, as well as very specific psychological qualities.
For young people, the active search for their place in life, the desire and desire to determine what they want to achieve in the future, and what to devote their destiny to is of great importance.
One of the most typical features of youth is the desire to unite in informal groups, which are characterized by mandatory behaviors for participants. They are aimed primarily at gaining security, self-affirmation, giving a certain social status, as well as obtaining prestigious self-esteem.
"Youth subculture"
To understand the basic concepts of youth will help the works of modern scientists. The fundamental research belongs to the doctor of philosophical sciences, professor of the philosophy department of Moscow State Pedagogical University Svetlana Igorevna Levikova. In 2004, she released the textbook Youth Subculture, which is currently fundamental to students specializing in cultural studies, sociology, ethics, social philosophy, history, pedagogy, social psychology, and social work.
It was Levikova who made the famous statement that youth is not only a biological concept. She will justify it in her book, coming to a certain conclusion.
Youth is not only a biological, age-related concept, but primarily a socio-historical one.
In her book, Levikova described the basic conditions for the origin and emergence of youth subcultures, as well as the mechanisms of their changes, due to specific cultural phenomena.
Also in this manual contains important and well-structured information on the problems of religious sectarianism and drug addiction, a useful teaching material, which is designed to facilitate the work of teachers.
In the manual "Youth subculture", the author formulates the basic concepts of youth, their subculture, considers the causes of their appearance, the background of the conflict of generations, the everyday component.
The author pays important attention to the essential characteristics of youth subcultures, considering them as ways of socialization and self-identification, presents important features of the modern approach to research in this area.
Sociological aspect
At the same time, the concept of "youth" is perceived as a social group. The most mobile, active and dynamic part of the population, free from the prejudices and stereotypes inherent in many previous generations. Moreover, she has important psychological and social qualities.
Describing the concept of youth in sociology, it is noted that such a group is characterized by such qualities as internal inconsistency, an unstable psyche, a low level of tolerance, the desire to be different from others, to stand out in the general mass. All this is characterized by the existence of specific youth subcultures.
Signs of informal groups
One of the main distinguishing features of the concept of "modern youth" is their desire to unite in informal groups. They are characterized by the following features:
- independence from official structures, the desire for self-organization;
- the occurrence of spontaneous communication in a specific social situation;
- relatively stable hierarchy;
- a behavioral model aimed at realizing vital needs, which it is not possible to satisfy in ordinary life;
- the expression of worldviews, value orientations, as well as stereotypes of behavior that, in general, are not characteristic of society;
- paraphernalia emphasizing belonging to a particular subculture.
Types of amateur
Another important distinguishing feature of youth is various amateur performances. Sociologists distinguish aggressive initiative, which is based on primitive ideas about the hierarchy of values based on the cult of individuals. This is the visualization of self-affirmation and primitivism. Very popular among young people and adolescents with a minimum level of cultural development and intelligence.
Shocking amateur performance is based on a challenge to existing canons, norms and rules in spiritual and material forms of life. For example, hairstyle, clothing, science or art.
Alternative initiative is based on systemically contradictory behaviors that become an end in itself for its participants.
Social initiative is aimed at solving very specific social problems. For example, preservation of historical and cultural heritage or participation in environmental movements.
Finally, political initiative is characterized by the desire to participate in changing the political situation and system in accordance with the ideas of a particular group.
Sociology of Youth
In modern social sciences, even such a concept as "youth sociology" is used. It was defined by the German sociologist Karl Mannheim, who emphasized that youth is a kind of reserve that comes to the fore when revitalization becomes necessary for qualitatively new and rapidly changing circumstances of life.
Dynamic societies must be activated and organized through resources that, in the traditional view, are often not mobilized, but suppressed.
In his ideas, youth is neither conservative nor progressive in nature. This is a potency that is initially ready for any undertaking. Youth was considered a German scientist by the social and age group, which perceives cultural values in its own way, which at different times gives rise to epic forms of subculture or slang.
Features of social work
Given these factors characterizing youth and adolescents, work with them is built in a special way.
First of all, social work is aimed at protecting a certain standard of living of the child, his right to self-realization, safety, development of his own abilities and capabilities.
Much attention is traditionally paid to social work with the child in the family. In fact, it begins even before his birth. When a young mother undergoes medical and social counseling, medical supervision at all stages of pregnancy, she receives psychological assistance.
The system of medical-social and psychological-pedagogical support of the child is carried out in his environment. This can be psychological rooms, career guidance centers, centers for medical, social and psychological support.
If a situation arises when a child is in a divorcing family, preventive work with parents is carried out. The situation is taken under control by the school, guardianship authorities and social services.
In education
Work with adolescents in institutions is based on proven programs. In this case, the necessary elements are activities as part of a group, teaching children how to communicate, preparing for entering school.
Social protection of preschool children is carried out in collaboration with pedagogical and medical workers. At the same time, the social protection bodies of the population direct their activities to providing preferential conditions for those in need on summer grounds, in camps and sanatoriums. Undoubtedly, this is a very important point.
Youth social protection structure
The structure of social protection of youth necessarily includes centers of social services, assistance to families and children, social and rehabilitation centers for minors.
Additionally, in some municipalities they organize centers for emergency psychological assistance, centers for psychological and pedagogical assistance, houses of mercy, rehabilitation centers for adolescents and young people with disabilities.
The main directions of work
It is worth noting that currently there are several key areas of work of bodies of social services for youth. Among them, there are rehabilitation, educational and preventive, leisure, wellness, information and advisory.
Social support is also provided for the younger generation, and programs to promote employment are being implemented.
Socio-economic situation
Assessing the socio-economic situation in which young people are now, a rather high unemployment rate among representatives of this age category should be noted. Under the age of 24, about 6.5% of young people are not officially employed.
Moreover, since the 1990s, among young people, the practice has been cultivated not to formalize marriage, maintaining civil relations. This led to a significant increase in the number of illegitimate children, as well as an increase in single-parent families.
Perhaps the most acute problem facing Russian youth today is housing. Due to the underdeveloped rental housing market, rent for apartments is high. Mortgage interest rates remain inaccessible for most citizens entering adulthood.