Trends of political resocialization of the "Middle" generation in Post-Soviet Ukrainian society

Abstract

Though the problem of political socialization is generally studied among young social groups, this article highlights processes of resocialization among representatives of older social groups. The choice of teachers as the object of the study is justified. The author describes the notion of political resocialization and specific features of this process in the transitional society. Based on the author`s methods and empirical research, the article provides analysis of trends in political resocialization of the «middle» generation (case study: Kiev teachers during the post-socialist transformations) and factors that influence this process. The study reveled that success in political resocialization lies in the adaptation to the conditions and requirements of new socio-political relations and the nature of political orientations and attitudes of each person. The group with successful political resocialization (adapted) is characterized by its critical attitude towards the Soviet model of political system; this group evaluates more positively the existing political system and the ability to participate in it compared to the group with unsuccessful political resocialization (unadapted). Perception of the nature of changes in the individual characteristics, social and economic characteristics and individual emotional state are the main factors that shape political resocialization.