ATTITUDE OF UZBEKISTAN’S YOUTH TOWARDS FAMILY: TRADITIONAL AND MODERN APPROACHES

Аннотация

This article analyzes the perspectives of Uzbek youth toward family, their views on marriage, and the role of the family institution in the system of values from both traditional and modern approaches. Globalization, technological development, and changes in gender roles are shaping new trends in how young people perceive family life. At the same time, long- standing traditions, customs, and mechanisms of social control continue to play a significant role in Uzbek society. Based on sociological theories, surveys, and observations, the article highlights youth attitudes toward family, the hierarchy of values, and emerging models of modern family structures. Furthermore, the article offers scientifically grounded recommendations forunderstanding and addressing theissue. Keywords: youth, family, values, traditionalism, modernity, gender roles, marriage, social change, social institution,sociological perspectives. Family is the cornerstone of any society, and its stability is a guarantee of societal harmony. In Uzbekistan, the concept of family has been shaped over centuries by values such as family unity, respect for elders, and strong familial responsibilities. However, due to globalization, urbanization, and the growing influence of the internet and social media, youth attitudestoward family are gradually shiftingaway from conventional norms. From a sociological standpoint, this shift represents a transformation of social institutions. This article focuses on how young people in Uzbekistan approach family life, considering bothtraditional andmodern perspectives. In Uzbek society, the family has always been regarded as sacred. Proverbs such as "The family is a small homeland" and "A united family ensures a united nation" reflect the cultural importance of this institution. According to traditional norms, men are viewed as the heads of households, while women are seen as nurturing mothers and loyal spouses. Respect for parents, obedience to elders, early marriage, and having many children are culturally upheld values. According to sociologist A. Azimova, "The traditional family model continues to dominate the mindset of Uzbek youth, and this is clearly reflected in their attitudes toward marriage" (Azimova, 2021). While many young people consider marriage a primary life goal, their perceptions and preparedness vary. Youth in rural areas tend to retain traditional values more than their urban counterparts, who are moreinfluenced bycontemporary trends. page750 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue07,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai Recent years have seen theriseofthe following modern approaches among young people:  Delaying marriage infavor ofeducation, career, and personal development;  Reinterpreting gender roles and promoting equality infamily life;  Beginning relationships through social media platforms;  Emphasizing deep mutualunderstanding before marriage;  Prioritizingpersonal independenceand professional success over having children. These approaches are more common among urban, higher-educated youth who are familiar with foreign cultures. According to sociologist Ronald Inglehart’s "Theory of Value Change," as societies progress economically and culturally, they shift from "survival values" toward "self-expression values"—a framework that helps interpret these transformations in youth consciousness. Modern youth increasingly envision family relationships as equal partnerships. Women aspire to financial independence and to actively participate in decision-making processes, contributingto theemergence of anew family modelbased onpartnership and mutual respect. A2022 study bythe United Nations inUzbekistan found that mutual respect, understanding, social cooperation, andequality are essential forfamily stability among youth. According to a 2023 survey conducted by the Youth Sociology Center under Tashkent State University ofLaw:  68%ofrespondents viewfamily as akey life value;  45%donot support early marriage, preferring tofocus oneducation and career first;  37%believethat getting to knowone’s partner well before marriage isimportant;  59%agree that women should have equal rights with men in marital life. These findings reveal the coexistence of traditional and modern values in the minds of Uzbek youth. Today, various challenges characterize the attitudes of Uzbek youth toward family, arising from the tension between traditional values and modern trends. Firstly, a significant portion of young people lack sufficient knowledge and experience in matters such as marriage, family management, and psychological readiness. This lack of preparation often leads to misunderstandings, divorces, and social conflicts within family life. The failure to approach family not only as a personal responsibility but also as a form of social preparedness further deepens these issues. Secondly,