Socio-Communicative Space of Formation of Modern Russian Youth’s Sexual Culture

Abstract

The article examines and reconstructs the socio-communicative space of the formation of sexual attitudes and behavior patterns of modern Russian youth. The empirical bases of the paper are results of the focused interviews with experts (N=10) in the field of sexuality and sexual development, in-depth interviews with representatives of Russian youth (N=21), and online focus groups (N=6). The sexual culture and behavior of Russian youth is formed under the influence of many factors (individual experience, primary and secondary agents of socialization), as well as through a variety of socio-cultural mechanisms (self-development, institutionalized forms of education). The Internet and new media create specific socio-communicative space for the formation of the sexual culture of society, especially modern youth. It is both one of the main information and communication interactive knowledge resources on sexual life, as well as space for experimenting, romantic practices.