Welfare and happiness are only possible when a “soft” family climate reigns. This view is shared by sociologists, who rely on the data of an omnibus public opinion survey among Ukrainians, conducted by Ukraine’s Institute of Sociology in 2009.
The stats say that one-third of Ukrainians view their future in an optimistic way, with their positive expectations having nothing in common with the improving economical situation, political elections, increased wages, or social benefits. First and foremost, the citizens link their optimism to life values, such as family welfare, health, spiritual development, psychological well-being, etc. According to sociologists, this is the main source of their energy, which helps them overcome and survive any misfortunes. How should this optimistic mood be supported? What should be done in order to improve the social sentiments of Ukrainians? Andrii ZOTKIN, Ph.D. in sociology, research fellow at the Institute of Sociology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, has answered these and other questions of The Day.
Mr. Zotkin, what moods are prevailing among Ukrainians at the moment? What factors are they linked to?
“Traditionally, life values are the most important ones for our citizens. They are connected with health, financial welfare of, above all, their families rather than their own, as well as local social ties. Down the list the priorities acquire some of global character concerning politics, participation in civic affairs, etc. Ukrainians’ well-being was essentially affected by the financial crisis that started in 2008, still continues, and may deepen this year. On the other hand, the crisis has had a useful impact, as it has removed political priorities and interests to the background, and so Ukrainians are no more pinning great hopes on the elections.
“Most likely, Ukrainians are going to vote out of inertia, since no new leaders or political forces have emerged recently. Actually, the political elite feels the same, so it is unlikely that the elections will have any connection with the hopes of Ukrainians. I mean that Ukrainians traditionally focus their attention on a narrow circle of ties and life values, so there is no need to expect that they will put hopes on new elections. This is not a top priority for them. So, according to the poll, the general order in the country is of top priority for 50 percent of Ukrainians.
“The talk about democracy does not have any foundation in Ukrainian society, becase for an average Ukrainian the most important thing is the situation in the family, or in the circle where all members know each other. Only 11 percent of the citizens support the values of individualism and individual freedoms. Even losing a job, Ukrainians survive owing to family support, because members of the family are the first to render them financial as well as moral support in any circumstances. Therefore, these are fundamental things that have not changed for a long time. Unlike Western Europe, in Ukraine collectivism of narrow social groups has not been outweighed by individualism values.”
What is the source of Ukrainians’ optimism, despite the economic and political instability?
“Family, health, and financial welfare are the values that enable Ukrainians to survive. They know that those are the fundamentals of their lives, although they are a source of certain disappointment, too. According to the poll data, Ukrainians feel disappointed in the spheres of financial welfare, work, health, recreation, and participation in civic affairs.
“However, Ukrainians pin their hopes on education, spiritual life, and relations with relatives, colleagues, neighbors, i.e., those who are well-known to them. Asked about the most important thing in their lives, 87 percent of respondents replied that it is health, 82 percent – material welfare, 48 percent – psychological well-being, and even fewer people pointed to the living conditions, environment, and self-realization – 25, 13, and 11 percent, respectively.”
People have gotten used to linking the beginning of a new year to positive plans and hopes. Is this tradition being preserved nowadays?
“Of course, there is some optimism. For example, 42 percent of Ukrainians believe that their families will prosper, they have believed in this previously, and continue to do so. This is nearly half of the Ukrainian society, which, despite the crisis, is trying to remain optimistic. But there is also quite a large segment of those who begin to understand that realities change for the worse with each passing year. Thus, nearly 26 percent of Ukrainians used to believe in the welfare of their families, and now the same percentage don’t.
“The citizens are quite optimistic concerning their life and self-realization, but one should take into account also the external factors, which have an impact on a narrow social circle within which Ukrainians are accustomed to supporting one another in time of any trouble, be that social, economic, or political woe. Interestingly, asked about the nature of changes that have taken place in their lives as compared with Soviet times, only 18 percent of Ukrainians responded that it has improved, whereas 43 percent said that its has worsened. Of course, this kind of answers depend on the age of respondents, but they are still troublesome.”
In spite of everything, Ukrainians remain optimistic. How can this mood be supported and reinforced?
“For Ukrainians, the family is the major foundation, but in order to preserve the positive sentiments, there is even no need to reinforce the institution of family through some civic or state-run programs in terms of birth rate increase. It would suffice to stop hindering and ruining its development. For example, piles of unnecessary information are leveling the family values of Ukrainians. Therefore, one should be careful not to destroy them, but help Ukrainians form new ones that would help them survive under new circumstances. For lack of desire to adapt to new life conditions is expressed by 34 percent of Ukrainians, which makes quite a large segment of people who drift with the stream. Therefore, it is important to preserve namely this kind of values that enable Ukrainians to feel freer in relationships with the state, statesmen, and other members of society. Ukrainians should grow more independent, feel their potential, which would make it possible for them to advance, raise hopes, and realize their plans.”
