Basic factors affecting children socialization in Russian Ecovillages

Abstract

The paper covers basic approaches towards the process of socialization of children, factors of socialization, and specific features of the emergence of ecovillages in western countries and Russia. According to the authors, the residents of ecovillages do not accept modern urban and rural way of life, as it ruins the nature of children`s personality and community in general. The values uniting people are ecological, social and moral values. The authors consider the personal development of a child through three key processes – upbringing, education and self-development. The empirical analysis is grounded upon the results of the websites of ecovillages in Central Russia, in-depth interviews with parents living in ecovillages with their children, and a projective technique “I am in the city, I am in ecovillage”. The authors conclude that the basic factors affecting the formation of the child`s personality are family, neighbors, equals in age and nature. Other factors have smaller influence, mainly due to coincident (teachers are parents, other residents or children themselves) or short interactions. Universal and terminal vales prevail in ecocommunities; parents give their children an opportunity to choose the future they want, and put their interests above all, unlike urban residents who prefer prestige and hedonism. On the whole, ecovillages have more favorable conditions for the formation of the personality.