Family values in the views of Russian university students

The article considers family-related values a s perceived and practiced by the Russian student youth. The article is based on the data of the 2025 online survey conducted in six higher education institutions (N=1173; bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist’s studies; natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, mathematics-information profiles). The study’s initial hypothesis was that life-related values f orm the core of attitudes toward family and the focus of building a family and marital career. Conceptually, the question of family values r equires the analysis of basic life meanings that regulate ideas, beliefs, attitudes, and actions of young people. The priority values o f contemporary students include: sufficient economic and cultural capital, financial security (stable, good income), and a quality education. The authors note a pragmatic attitude toward family: although family ranks third or fourth on the list of values, it encompasses a range of attributive life-meaning values, including the meaning of life together, the goal-setting of family life, a plan for future financial and economic activities, attitudes toward a partner, an assessment of marriage, rights and obligations, sexual life and intimacy, family planning, future parenthood, and relationships with family members. Familymeaning values a re largely represented by maintaining ties with the parental family and having children, but without specific reproductive plans. Students are also interested in the family tree and genealogy, family fate, and lives of relatives in the context of the country’s history. Respondents positively evaluate digital technologies as a means of interaction in the (re)production of family relationships and ensuring family well-being. The family’s life-meaning values, which determine the worldview, attitudes and behavior of the Russian youth, vary by generation but are relatively stable.