FORMATION OF MORAL AND ETHICAL VALUES IN YOUTH WITHIN THE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PARADIGM

Abstract

This article investigates the complex process of forming moral and ethical values among youth in the United States of America. It examines the influence of the dominant cultural paradigm, characterized by individualism, consumerism, and pluralism, as well as the role of various religious institutions in this process. The analysis covers both potential conflicts and the synergy between these two powerful socializing forces in the upbringing of the younger generation.The article aims to analyze the process of forming moral and ethical values in contemporary youth within the context of the American cultural and religious paradigm. The study seeks to identify the key factors influencing this process and their impact on the value orientations of young people. Special attention is given to the interaction of secular and religious aspects in shaping moral worldview, as well as the influence of mass culture, educational institutions, and family upbringing.To achieve this goal, a comprehensive methodology was applied, including: theoretical analysis (studying and systematizing scientific literature, philosophical and theological concepts related to morality, ethics, values, and the specifics of the American cultural and religious paradigm); comparative-historical method (researching the evolution of moral and ethical values in American society and identifying historical prerequisites for contemporary trends); sociological analysis (utilizing data from sociological surveys, statistical reports, and other empirical materials concerning the value orientations of American youth); content analysis (analyzing religious texts, journalistic materials, and works of mass culture (films, TV series, music) that reflect moral and ethical dilemmas and propose certain value models); and systemic approach (considering value formation as a complex dynamic system in which various elements interact (family, school, church, media, social networks)).The scientific novelty of this research lies in constructing a comprehensive, holistic view of the process of forming moral and ethical values in youth under the multifaceted influence of the American cultural and religious paradigm.The study expands the understanding of the impact of modern trends in mass culture, digital technologies, and social networks on youth value orientations, an area that has been insufficiently covered in existing scientific literature. It also deepens the understanding of the dynamics of relationships between secular educational systems and religious institutions in shaping moral worldview, taking into account contemporary transformations of religiosity in the USA. The results of this research can be used to develop effective programs and strategies aimed at forming and supporting moral and ethical values in youth environments, in both educational and religious spheres.