Continuity of generations in the educational process

Abstract

Generations interact with social institutions that experience great challenges today. Representatives of generations exhibit certain political alienation, provided that their faith in conspiracies increases. The institution of the family is characterized by childlessness and later parenthood. The dynamics of society outstrips the possible continuity of generations. Religious institutions are trying to convert young people to the faith, but with little success. Generation Z is indifferent to religion. Educational institutions endlessly search for perfect forms, while the content lags behind and the character educational function is lost. Continuity is achieved through the joint participation of adjacent generations in the same events. All broadcast events, experiences of generations are newly created, interpreted objects, but they are intertwined with generic experience and have ‘presupposed relationships’. The educational position of a university teacher may consist in the joint interpretation of information texts and the development of a stable standpoint on various issues. It is also a form of generational continuity in education. Interpretation is based on the traditional or innovative beliefs of generations. We conducted a study on the continuity of tradition among generations. The participants were 250 teachers — generation X and Y — and 300 students of Rostov-on-Don universities — generation Z. The study methods included the cultural-value differential by G.U. Soldatova and the methodology for measuring mentality types by V.I. Pishchik. The results revealed the differences in the following values — distrust of power, rivalry, aspiration to the future, which are predominant among generation Z. Students are more inclined to conservatism, which is characteristic of collectivism. Representatives of generation Y are more open to change, tend to be individualistic, while representatives of generation X tend to resist change and they tend to be traditional. The results showed that traditionalism began to manifest itself again among the younger generations, replacing innovation.