The Attitude of Kazan Students to Alcohol and Smoking (Based on the Results of an Empirical Study)

Abstract

The study of deviations from social norms is particularly relevant in modern social conditions, when significant reforms are being implemented in the field of politics, economy and social sphere, accompanied by significant changes in the level and quality of life of the population. The topic is also sharpened by the speed of globalization, as a result of which inequality between different social groups, including age groups, is growing. The most difficult situation in such transitional periods of development of society is the youth, whose worldview is in the process of formation, and the unformed value system of the transforming society can not provide the necessary social guidelines for behaviour. The article shows the attitude of Kazan students to alcohol and Smoking on the basis of theoretical justification and author's empirical research. Based on the theoretical analysis of the works of representatives of the sociopsychological paradigm (Z. Freud, A. Adler, E. Fromm, K. Horney), it is shown that deviations are the result of negative family experiences and mental traumas of childhood. According to the sociological theories Of E. Giddens, J. Massionis, And N. Smelser, deviations arise primarily under the influence of social factors: the influence of the media, fashion, and others . Based on an empirical study of University students in Kazan-a sample of 400 people, representatives of various universities, it was found that a significant part of the respondents drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes. The survey data shows that the older the respondents, the more of them drink alcohol, and younger age groups tend to hold opinions about the complete exclusion of alcohol from use. This indicates the stressful factors of the social environment, the emergence of alcohol and Smoking habits, and the influence of the social environment.