The contradictory social status of Russian teachers

About the author:

Gennady F. Shafranov-Kutsev, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education, Dr. Sci. (Philos.), Professor, Department of General and Economic Sociology, Research Advisor of University of Tyumen; ORCID: 0000-0001-7823-0525, Scopus ID: 56728858400, Researcher ID: N-5782-2017, RSCI, g.f.kucev@utmn.ru

Abstract:

Every human society comprises socio-professional groups performing major functions. In the contemporary context these are primarily social strata that form human capital. Most of these groups generally belong to the middle class. According to the 2014 data, the number of the middle class representatives comprises 40-42% of the population of Russia. The structure of this stratum can be presented by the kernel and periphery. Teachers should be included into the middle class group according to the nature of their work, functions, and level of education. Otherwise, they would fail to completely perform their functions which might affect the future development of the country.The aim of this study is to emphasize the conditions, factors, and parameters that define the position of teachers as representatives of the middle class of Russian society. The work shows that the level of school teachers’ living standard and social comfort as well as the status of teachers clash with the accepted parameters of the middle class.

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