The Ethnic Diversity and the Value Orientations of the Adolescents: Differences and Simılarities

Abstract

Background. The values, i.e. the value orientations are significant elements of a person's constitution. They mainly depend on the context, i.e. the culture to which the individual belongs. Hence, the factors, such as the family surrounding (the degree of education of the parents and their style of upbringing children), the national and religious background, and other demographic characteristics have a significant role in their formation. Purpose. Having these influences adequately, the goal of this research is to examine the value preferences of the youth from different cultural origins. Sample. The sample research consists of 117 adolescents, mainly high schools students, separated in three equal groups according to their ethnic background (Albanians, Macedonians and Turkish). Results. The results of the descriptive statistical analysis of the data (ranking according to M –values; the t-test and ANOVA) indicated a) an existence of a hierarchy of values with domination of the values: family orientation (M = 4.67), altruism (M = 4.53), utilitarianism (M = 4.43), and cognitive style (M = 4.22) which was expected as a reflection of the transitional conditions with which Macedonia copes; b) significant differences in the respondents regarding the gender; c) important changes on the degree of preference of particular value orientations considering the educational atmosphere in the family. According to the educational level of the mother, the differences are noticeable in terms of the utilitarian and popular styles, for which an important F-relation at a level of significance 0.01 (p < 0.01) was established; d) differences among the respondents that were emphasized more in terms of ethnic background. For almost all value orientations, significant differences (F-relation at a level of significance of 0.01 and 0,05) were noticed in the Macedonian, Albanian, and Turkish high school students. Conclusions. Similar to other research, these data confirm the assumption of culture's important role in the value orientation of the youth. By identifying the value priorities of the youth from different ethnic backgrounds, society and science together will successfully create strategies for multicultural education practice.

Keywords: Value orientations, the hierarchy of values, lifestyles, educational family atmosphere, cultural context.