OCCUPATIONAL PRESTIGE AS REFLECTION OF THE YOUTH VALUE SYSTEM IN VOLGOGRAD
The data obtained from the questionnaire of 2069 high school students (representative samplings of students from the 7 <sup>th</sup> grades through high schools) conducted in Volgograd in December in 2013 showed that prestige professions for youth are new professions in Russia (businessmen, economists, public servants). The trend towards a decline in traditionally prestigious professions (teachers, engineers, scientists, doctors in some degree) has been observed over the past 10-15 years. Almost half of adolescents (49.7 %) both from 7-8 grades and 9-10 grades involved in the study of occupational prestige has considered the profession of a sportsman to be the most prestigious one. The reasons are the following - a real possibility to achieve success at the age of 20-25, mass media promotion of outstanding athletes’ high income and life style, government support - and possible risks - first of all the use of nonofficial and official drugs -for youth are viewed in the article.