Tendencies of Change in Youth Spirituality within the Context of Globalisation

Abstract

This article raises the problem of culture and globalization coherence. It also aims to present the attitude of globalisation and culture researchers towards influence of globalisation culture on interpersonal relations, as expression of spirituality. Outspread new forms of mediating communication and their possible effects on individual's spiritual becoming are described in such context. The study also focuses on influence of emancipation and individualism on quality of interpersonal relations. Having determined spirituality as person's authentic relation with the world based on the highest values, the article analyses certain peculiarities of senior teenagers' spirituality expression. Following the attitude that quality of relations is conditioned by internalised spiritual values, the value internalisation situation, as actual expression of spirituality, is determined as the object of the analysis. On the basis on the longitudinal research data, received in 1998, 2001 and 2005, the tendencies of change in cognitive level of values internalisation are highlighted. With application of M. Rokeach research methodology, it is proved that over 8 years there was little change in senior teenagers' attitude to terminal values: mature love, real friendship, internal harmony, wisdom, happy family. More vivid positive changes were observed in acknowledgment of happy family, equality, beauty; negative changes occurred in evaluation of real friendship, creativity and national security. A very positive evaluation was revealed towards such an instrumental value as responsibility with a clearly expressed growing tendencies in acknowledgment. Senior teenagers start evaluating other values more favourably. They include courage, leniency, politeness, dignity, obedience. However, evaluation of sensitivity, independence, self-assumption, imagination is decreasing. The study revealed insufficiently deep validity of spiritual values significance. This allows for conclusion that orientation of senior teenagers to values as source of pragmatism, utilitarianism and hedonism is strengthening. However, the essence of terminal values is perceived deeper than that of instrumental ones. Consequently, insufficient perception of instrumental values in person's life may impede implementation of terminal values. The acknowledgement of relevance of separate values as well as their reasoning is a topical pedagogical problem.