Abstract:

There is a direct correlation between the success of the older generations’ and their descendants’ lives revealing that teaching and learning work ethics in a family space is critical in any human’s life.

This study investigates the significance of work virtue through the attitudes and perspectives of 34 people (12 young people; 11 people belonging to the middle generation; and 11 people belonging to the older generation). In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted in Latvia with the representatives of three (in exceptional cases – two) generations from 10 families in the period from September 2019 until January 2020. Families represent geographical differences, various degrees of openness to inter-group communication, and heterogeneous socio-demographic variability.

Latvian identity in the European cultural space is composed of, among others, universal human and Christian values, care for the immediate family, responsibility towards future generations, and the virtue of work. The case study demonstrates that work ethics is perceived by the families as one of the noblest values and the basis of a cohesive society; however, in a contemporary society, this quality is undervalued.

Giving children tasks around the home is often equated in families with cultural upbringing therefore work is perceived in the framework of culture (“work culture”) and equalled to other free time activities, such as singing or dancing, that are crucial for the human development. According to the interviewees, by their own behaviour patterns, parents and grandparents are teaching their children to be open to new experiences and activities, including work virtue, for building a balanced and successful future. The study has also revealed that fundamental transformations in a family structure as such, the dynamics of intergenerational relationships and socialisation practices have been challenged, thus, in order to improve the quality of life and well-being, enhancing young people’s work ethics is required.

This article is based on the research which has been conducted within a framework of the international project “Cultural Heritage and Identities of Europe's Future” (CHIEF), funded from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 770464.

Keywords:

Youth, intergenerational patterns, family, virtue of work, cultured person.