Perceptions of Life Success and Moral Qualities of a Modern Person of Generation Z: A Study of Economics and Humanities Students

Abstract

The study aims to establish the ideas of Kazakh Generation Z students about a modern person’s life success and determine their relationship with moral qualities. The authors utilize the methods of document analysis, survey, and data analysis. The study is conducted on 160 students in two different specialties, economics and the humanities. The results demonstrate that economics students are more likely to note qualities associated with socioeconomic status and the attitude to activity and work, while humanities students are more focused on the qualities of moral consciousness and the attitude to other people. The study also shows that some young Kazakh people deem immoral qualities important in achieving life success. Kazakh student youth believes that negative qualities prompt people to commit immoral actions and deeds, while more positive qualities, on the contrary, shield the individual from immoral actions. The authors conclude that the young Gen Z in Kazakhstan continues to adhere to traditional cultural values and considers them important in achieving success. However, traditional values are not static and may change depending on the professional and regional socialization environment of Gen Z youth.

Received: 10 April 2023 / Accepted: 15 June 2023 / Published: 5 July 2023