Aspiracje życiowe młodzieży polskiej i Polonii kanadyjskiej u progu XXI wieku

Abstract

At the beginning of the 21st century, on the background of broad civilization transformations, the problem of life aspirations has special meaning. A contemporary man can not use the complete patterns of life aspirations which have been worked out in the past. In the time of developed cultures, characteristic of the present societies, it is necessary to set a new qualification of the hierarchy of the most important life matters. These choices involve both existential values, attitudes towards the political, economic and social reality, and some opinions, ideas, as well as activities generating them. Learning the mechanisms of shaping aspirations makes it easier to understand many social and individual behaviours. It also enables explaining and understanding the picture of aspirations – of both individuals and groups. It helps to foresee people’s desires and behaviour. Life aspirations, and their shape are first of all the resultant product of developmental conditions and the possibilities offered by the environment. The detailed investigation of life aspirations of the young generation is important, especially in view of the democratic transformations in Poland. In this changing socio-economic situation, today’s youth face one of the most important moments in their lives: they have to make a decision concerning their further life, further education, career, personal life, and their participation in socio-political life. The problem of life aspirations in the context of planning the future by young people is particularly important because it determines the development of every society in all fields of its functioning. Canada is considered to be one of the countries which are well developed economically, are well formed, and have a stable political system. The aspirations of youth in that country may turn out to be the future Polish youth’s aspirations, too.