The value system of youth in light of globalization changes – perception of researchers

Abstract

This paper analyzes the scientific output of journal articles in the field of social sciences and humanities in the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, with the aim of determining the extent to which published research addresses the stability and variability of value systems. The sample included high-ranking academic journals, as categorized by relevant ministries and indexed in the Serbian Citation Index. From the total number of analyzed scientific papers published between 2014 and 2024, selected articles were examined from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The quantitative analysis focused on identifying the frequency of papers dealing with the value systems of children and youth. The qualitative analysis aimed to provide a framework for critically examining current trends and researchers’ perspectives on value systems at all educational levels (primary, secondary, and high er education). The research findings point to a limited number of published papers addressing youth value systems and a significant diversity in value elements. On the one hand, there remains a strong preference for universal values, primarily those related to family, happiness, freedom, and sincere friendship. On the other hand, there is a growing trend toward a hedonistic-materialistic lifestyle (comfortable and exciting life, pleasure, etc.) and a neglect of social values (world peace, equality, national security, self-respect, etc.). The volatility and turbulence of societal circumstances impose a framework of socially acceptable value systems, resulting in an unstable and uneven structure, which in turn leads to reduced interest among researchers. As a result, youth value systems have become a peripheral research topic over the past decade. However, researchers’ insights into the value structures of youth can provide significant support for all those working with young people.