SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF LIFE IN THE ARCTIC ZONE OF ASIAN RUSSIA: YOUNG PEOPLE’S OPINIONS (Ust-Yansky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia))
This article is based on our research expedition to one of the Arctic regions of the Asian part of Russia - Ust-Yansky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). We used the qualitative method in our work and interviewed senior pupils of secondary schools in three settlements. We studied the social infrastructure of these settlements and revealed the attitude of young people to their environment and social conditions. In addition, the article touches upon the life quality in the Arctic zone of Asian Russia. The paper reflects the view of senior pupils on the following issues: regional identity, interethnic and interpersonal relationships, specific character of social life, awareness and openness of young people, migration intentions and prospects for the development of their settlements and North Yakutia, as well as their personal future. We established that well-being of the youth is determined by the surrounding social reality of each settlement. The cultural symbiosis present in the Arctic also affects the lifestyle of its population. Despite the migration intentions of young people, the older generation tends to stay and live in these settlements. However, a small number of young people do have affection for the area they live in. Thus, there is a possibility that local population will stay in the Arctic, provided improved social conditions of life in the North and job creation.