Children we are proud of: values shared by today's schoolchildren discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA

Today's teenagers value personal freedom and the right to make their own choices while continuing to place importance on mutual support and fairness — this is shown by almost 20 studies involving schoolchildren from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. Tatyana Vasilyeva, Vice-Rector of HSE University, presented the values profile of today's children during the discussion "Children We Are Proud Of", held as part of the VI All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the I School Principals' Forum at the National Centre RUSSIA.

According to Tatyana Vasilyeva, scientific data make it possible to look at today's schoolchildren without anxiety, although their growing up and perception of the world have their own distinctive features — a desire for independence, responsiveness to the personal example set by adults, and an orientation towards constructive values.

Photo: Konstantin Semenets, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

"Today's schoolchildren and teenagers are no worse than we were at their age, but they do have their own particular characteristics and nuances. On the one hand, our teenagers are pragmatic individualists: they greatly value personal freedom, it is important to them that their opinions are heard, and they defend their right to make their own choices. At the same time, this individualism very rarely turns into selfishness. In real relationships, young people retain a strong commitment to mutual support, collective action and fairness within the group. The core values of our young people are life, human dignity, compassion, justice and constructive work. These are not empty words," noted the Vice-Rector of HSE University.

Photo: Konstantin Semenets, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

She explained that communication between adults and children and the development of traditional values should be based on active, constructive action and, most importantly, personal example. Tatyana Vasilyeva also stressed that teenagers respond well to positive motivation that helps them see their own potential and the next step in their development. At the same time, their values and perception of the world are increasingly influenced by the digital environment, video games, online content, livestreams and music — all of which adults need to take into account when communicating with children.

Another characteristic of today's generation is a longer period of self-discovery. According to Tatyana Vasilyeva, psychologists still regard young people at the age of 20 as being in childhood, while at 25–27 they continue to study and determine their path in life. Career guidance, specialised education and supplementary education can help them by providing opportunities to try themselves in different fields: "The more things we try in childhood, the fewer mistakes we will make as adults."

Photo: Konstantin Semenets, Press Office of the National Centre RUSSIA

The discussion "Children We Are Proud Of" was hosted and moderated by television presenter and journalist Maria Sittel, Chair of the All-Russian Public-State Organisation "Union of Women of Russia". The discussion also featured Zhanna Sadovnikova, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Education; Artur Orlov, Chair of the Board of the All-Russian Public-State Movement of Children and Youth "Movement of the First" and Hero of the Russian Federation; Natalia Lokteva, Director of the Institute for Supporting Children's Blogging; Lidia Rusakova, People's Teacher of the Russian Federation, Excellence in Public Education award holder and Director of Secondary School No. 70 in Tyumen; Yevgenia Shamis, founder of the RuGenerations Research Centre — Russian School of Generational Theory, author of a trilogy and a board game about generations; and practising psychologist, teacher and author Yaroslava Ryndina.